Written on: July 10, 2023
Gas grills are the most popular type of grills, making up about 60% of grills used here in the United States.
There are many reasons for that. First of all, grilling with propane is easy! In seconds, you have a fire and in just a couple of minutes, you’re grilling. You can grill everything from ribs to fish to vegetables without the flavor being overwhelmed by smoke.
Propane grills are also easy because getting a full grill tank is a breeze with Lakes Gas! We partner with retail establishments such as grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores, garden stores, and home improvement stores to provide propane tank refill and exchange services.
This is a very important question that needs answered. This is because propane cylinders like grill tanks require certification for refilling. After being produced, they are only certified for a duration of 12 years. You can locate the month and year of manufacture on the collar of your cylinder. For example, if the stamp reads “8-13,” your cylinder was manufactured in August of 2013.
You are responsible for getting your propane cylinder recertified if it is over 12 years old. Refillers will not fill a cylinder that has an expired certification. In case your cylinder is deemed unsafe and cannot be recertified, you will need to purchase a new one.
Choosing to refill your grill tank or use a grill tank exchange is a matter of personal preference. Each offers advantages.
It is generally cheaper to refill a propane cylinder than to exchange it. By refilling, you can save approximately $1.75 per gallon compared to the price of exchanging a cylinder.
When you refill your propane cylinder, you only pay for the propane that is added to it. This is different from exchanging your cylinder, where you may lose any remaining propane that you already paid for. You get to keep that propane with a cylinder refill.
There are some disadvantages to cylinder refills. They are often only available during regular business hours, where cylinder exchanges can be done off-hours or even 24/7 at many retail locations. Also, locations may not be as plentiful or easy to get to in your area as cylinder exchange sites.
Check your grill tank’s age if you’ve been refilling it for a long time. If it’s getting close to 12 years old, using a grill tank exchange and getting a newer tank may be the more cost-effective solution.
Cylinder exchange services offer ease, convenience, and security. When you go to the store, do not bring your empty cylinder inside. Instead, ask the clerk or manager for a cylinder exchange. Once it’s rung up, they will come outside to meet you. You can then take your empty tank to the cylinder storage cage, where they will take it and give you a full tank. The entire process should only take a few minutes.
Another benefit of using the Lakes Gas cylinder exchanges is that you know every grill tank you are given is inspected for safety and certified.
Would you like to add a Lakes Gas cylinder exchange and/or refill service to your business? Contact us today to learn more!
