propane refill widgets

[lawnboy]

Anyone ever buy one of the small bottle propane refill widgets? Dose it work and is it worth the money?

[duckman#1]

I bought one about 2 years ago. I can't get it to fill the little 1lb bottles more than 1/2 way at best. I chilled the bottles first too!
Heck I've even had them sit outside in the dead of winter and tried it outside in 20 deg weather, still can't fill them.
I called the maker of the valve, all they say is to make sure the bottles are cold.
They need to come out with a better way to re-fill the little bottles.
I switched to a little 5 lb mini tank thats easy to put on the ice sled and It hooks up to the "my buddy" heater with a adapter hose.
It lasts a long time and re-fills are cheap.

[chad 1]

You need to have the 20lber at room temp and the little tanks cold. I have filled many and get them full everytime.
Just Make sure you have the little one in a well vented area after filling them! Some will leak afterwards. If this happens screw a lantern or heater on in and it will stop leaking. Mark it and don't use that bottle again.
They do save alot of money and lot less bulky then a five or 20 pounder to carry.

chad 1

[Skeeter]

I have filled them for several years and I mean a lot of them. Never had one leak, always got them filled right up good. Probably saved some money. BUT I have read so many things about what could happen if one leaked, or you over filled it or or or BANG Ya know it just not worth it. Many of you know what a hand garnade will do - theres are not much difference so I decided to go to Walmart and buy tanks for 1.88 and throw all my nice clean empties I have saved and oiled with caps on them and the gadget used to fill them away. Just not worth the chance. IMHO

[Steve]

I have one and I love it. In fact I'll be using it in a few minutes. Get the small tanks below freezing and heat the big tank and you'll pump more into the small tank than it can handle.

[WALLEYEvision]

I've used the K-M Coupler for years and love it!

[lawnboy]

Next question, do you turn the big tank up side down when filling or leave it upright? I’m thinking upside down so that you get the liquid to come out into the little bottle and not the gas. Thinking that you would not get as much into a bottle if it was gas. Am I right?

[Icehole Ken]

I have been using the coupler for years also. I dont think I get a complete fill, but it doesnt matter. It helps to put the empty in your freezer overnight.
Yes you should have the liquid at the valve, (invert the fill from bottle) and the empty upright.

[duckman#1]

yes, upside down.
Well,I guess I needed to leave the big tank in the house longer, perhaps I didn't leave it in the house long enough.

[chad 1]

I guess it depends on the brand of small tank skeeter. The ones from colman never leak but if you but the off the wall brands I had 2 leak!
They sure are a big money saver

[Skeeter]

You really can save money refilling them. I did for a long time but all of a sudden I got kinda worried about it. When I get a bad feeling about something, well I just don't do it. This is one of those things. Your 100% right about what brand. I always saved the caps and always sprayed wd-40 one the top and strader valve to cut down on rust. Just be careful you guys! Don't over fill.

[jpollman]

In my humble opinion, WAY too risky !

I'll spend a little more and get NEW ones each time. I know it's a bit wasteful, but I'm not gonna chance blowing myself up for a few cents !

[Skeeter]

To be honest their was a day when I had to refill them just to save some money. That is not the case now so hate to take the chance. I am ugly enough hate to see what I would look like after one of those went off. Thats terrible to say!

[Lunker]

Way to risky. Save your life not a dollar and dont. I had a single burner have a flare up sideways out the top today inside my shanty. Not fun. I was praying it didnt detonate. I think Im on about 8 of my 9 lives now.

[chad 1]

I have never and I mean never heard of one blowing up from being refilled.
Remembers propane shouts out of a tank it does not suck in so the most you will get is fire outside the tank and since it's under pressure it is kinda like a blow torch. If you use your head it is easy to put out.
I feel just as safe with the one's I refill as the one's I buy from the store but if you do not feel safe then don't use them!
Heck I get more scared when I talk back to my wife then refilling the canisters

chad1