What do you do when the propane tank is ten years old?

[Dave27]

I filled one of the 30 pound propane tanks this morning. I read the posted notice while I waited and saw they won't fill 10 year old tanks. Mine will be ten years old next year. Can they be "refitted", or do they need to be replaced? Who does this kind of work?

Thanks, Dave

[Cate&Rob]

You can have a propane tank “recertified” for another 10 years, whereby a qualified facility does an internal inspection and replaces the valve assembly. Unfortunately, the cost for this is often similar to the price of a new tank.

Rob

[Jkwilson]

Propane cylinders are good for 12 years in the US. Are you in Canada?

[Scott'n'Wendy]

Propane cylinders are good for 12 years in the US. Are you in Canada?

They require replacement in Canada after 10 years. Reminds me of leaving for a trip to Yellowstone a few years ago -2015 or 14. I went and topped up the less than full tank at a local Canadian Tire store. The propane guy said the tank is over ten years old. Needs a new valve. I said will you fill it anyway? He said 'Sure!'. So he filled the tank, I tipped him appropriately and went on our trip to Wyoming. I refilled a tank on that trip and just assumed the guy never checked the date..didn't know the reg was different in the States.
Dave27 I had those tanks re-valved and recertified at Cal-Gas. Don't know if they still exist. Maybe check with Superior Propane or Sargent Propane? At the time, the cost was $70 for a new valve, re-cert stamping on the tank and filled with propane.

[J & J Bumblebee]

You can buy new valves and replace them yourself. Then, have the tank recertified. I did that with some I got from my father-in-law. Valves are about $20, and around here recertification is $5.

[Cate&Rob]

You can buy new valves and replace them yourself. Then, have the tank recertified. I did that with some I got from my father-in-law. Valves are about $20, and around here recertification is $5.

The recertification (at least in Canada) is based on an internal cleaning of accumulated compressor oil and a visual inspection. Then the new valve is installed, the collar re-stamped with new expiry date, the tank purged and filled and the new valve leak tested with soap solution. Installing a new valve yourself would not meet these requirements. Different jurisdictions . . . different requirements . . .

Rob

[J & J Bumblebee]

The recertification (at least in Canada) is based on an internal cleaning of accumulated compressor oil and a visual inspection. Then the new valve is installed, the collar re-stamped with new expiry date, the tank purged and filled and the new valve leak tested with soap solution. Installing a new valve yourself would not meet these requirements. Different jurisdictions . . . different requirements . . .

Rob

Yep....location...location....location.

[Dave27]

Propane cylinders are good for 12 years in the US. Are you in Canada?

I'm in Michigan. I filled the tank at a hardware store I haven't used before. I haven't seen or at least noticed any similar requirement before. I don't know if it is a state or company requirement.

Thank you for the feedback. I now know I need to do something in the next 1 to 3 years.

Dave

[Jkwilson]

I'm in Michigan. I filled the tank at a hardware store I haven't used before. I haven't seen or at least noticed any similar requirement before. I don't know if it is a state or company requirement.

Thank you for the feedback. I now know I need to do something in the next 1 to 3 years.

Dave

I’m in the same boat, though I can still get mine filled. I’m going to contact my propane supplier and ask them. I don’t expect they do it, but I’m hoping they can tell me who does.

[Yoda]

I filled one of the 30 pound propane tanks this morning. I read the posted notice while I waited and saw they won't fill 10 year old tanks. Mine will be ten years old next year. Can they be "refitted", or do they need to be replaced? Who does this kind of work?

Thanks, Dave

Dave
I just went to one of the tank exchange placed and swapped tanks. You know - the big exchange cages that have a lot of tanks that sell you a tank with 75% as full. . I try to find ones you can actually chose from those available and check dates.. That was for the 20 lb size (BBQ and my old trailer. . For the bigger ones check prices at HD and Lowes, and get them filled. Be sure to tell the filler its the first time as I believe they need to purge the new tank. Sometimes the propane places sell new filled tanks.


Keith

[Scott.n.Tira]

Hi
had mine recertified at the local propane company. 3 years ago now, cost was a little under half of what a new 30lb tank would have cost me. It was fairly quick and easy to do, I waited and when they were done they refilled it.

Also, just to point out, someone said recertification is good for 10 or years or 12 more years? My recertification was only good for 5 years, and I think that's nation wide.