Blue Rhino will accept any standard gas grill tank, as long as it is in acceptable condition. We accept all brands of propane for exchange. Watch this video to learn more.
 
For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

• Use only in compliance with applicable codes.
• Read and follow manufacturer’s instructions.
• Consult manufacturer’s instructions concerning the cylinder connection provided with your appliance.
• Be sure regulator vent is not pointing up.
• Turn off all valves on the appliance.
• To Connect (see illustrations below):
  • Attach Appliance Connector (1) or (2) to Cylinder Valve (3)
  • If Connector (1), turn counter clockwise. Tighten with wrench.
  • If Connector (2), turn clockwise. Hand tighten.
  • Test for leaks: Open cylinder valve. Apply soapy water to all areas marked “X”. If bubbles appear in any location there is a leak. Close valve immediately, reconnect and test again for leaks. Proceed when no bubbles are visible.
  • Never check for leaks with a match or open flame.
• Light appliance(s) following manufacturer's instructions.
• When appliance is not in use, keep cylinder valve closed.

Having trouble lighting your grill? Watch this video for some tips.

Here are some important safety steps to remember the next time you finish grilling or need to switch out a tank.

Propane tanks can show signs of ice while in use. Sometimes tanks sweat when the regulator is feeding the propane too quickly, or if there is a high level of humidity. That moisture can ice up in some situations.

In extreme cold, a tank can also “freeze up” to the point that the liquid propane inside isn’t boiling and making enough vapor to feed the appliance.

Here are a few tips that should help:

• Keep several extra full tanks on hand
• Consider switching tanks out when you use 1/4 or so of the propane
• Keep tanks in the sun or in a warm area (but not indoors)
• Don't allow snow or anything to build up around the tank
• Don’t cover the tank with a blanket or pour water over it
• Turn your grill or appliance down as much as possible

​For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), you should never refill a DOT 39 cylinder such as a one-pound camping cylinder. It is dangerous and deadly. See this video for more information.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

That label caution refers to spare or extra tanks, or if you store your grill indoors. You may keep a tank connected to your grill, as long as the grill remains outside.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

Where do you keep extra propane tanks? Watch this video for some tips.

WE DO NOT RECOMMEND STORING IN ENCLOSED AREAS.

Your tank should be stored in an area that is well ventilated or outdoors.
For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

Blue Rhino recommends checking your propane tank for leaks prior to every cookout. Don't check with a match or open flame - use this process instead. Also, check appliance valve connections to make sure they do not leak.

With Blue Rhino, propane safety info is close at hand when you need it.

Gas may not come out of a tank for several reasons:

• The valve may be turned on all the way
• Improper connection
• Faulty regulator

The OPD valve has a safety feature that sometimes restricts gas flow if the tank is turned all the way on. We recommend that you turn the tank valve one turn (360 degrees), light up, and then use smaller turns for a higher flame. The normal procedure is to turn the tank on and then turn the grill controls on, but doing this with a tank equipped with an excess flow device will sometimes cause the "check valve" to prematurely activate.

OPPOSITE TURN ON METHOD:

• Turn control knob on appliance to ON or Start
• Slowly turn the triangular hand wheel of cylinder to ON
• Push Igniter on appliance to Light
• Appliance should operate normally. Turn off tank after each use to avoid any further problems with the excess flow device.

In reference to the second possibility, please check to be sure your connector to the tank is over an inch long. This should be enough to push back the check valve inside the valve. If it is too short, then you will need to get another connector.
A faulty regulator will inhibit the flow of gas. We would recommend getting a new hose with regulator.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

This is probably the float on the OPD valve inside the tank hitting the sides when the tank is moved. It should not affect the performance of your tank.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

Propane tanks must be requalified regularly. Blue Rhino can help.

To enhance consumer safety from overfilled tanks, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has enacted code 58-2.3.1.5. In summary, the code states that tanks without OPDs can no longer be refilled by anyone. OPDs have triangular handwheels. All other tanks are obsolete and cannot be refilled - but you can upgrade your obsolete tank by exchanging it for a Blue Rhino tank.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

When using the OPD valve with the excess flow device or check valve, it is better to light a grill by starting with all of the valves turned off. Then turn the triangular hand wheel one complete (360 degree) turn, then turn the appliance to the "ON" or "LIGHT" position and light up. From here you can adjust slowly for a higher flame.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

The first thing to do is to make sure you are turning it clockwise. The next step is to determine if it is already open. Sometimes, with a new OPD, there is a shallow rise from OPEN to CLOSED. It might look closed but may have been shipped open. Since gas won't come out unless a tank with an OPD is hooked to an appliance, it won't leak. And IF the tank is hooked up to a grill that was turned to the ON position, it may have "shut down" when it was hooked up just like what happens in the improper grill lighting procedure. In this case the gas suddenly is released to go forward and the valve detects that it is going too fast so if shuts itself down. The remedy: shut everything off, wait one minute, open the tank valve, turn the grill to the LIGHT position, attempt to light.

If the valve is still stuck, a small bit of oil applied to the stem will help loosen it up.

Do NOT use a wrench since too much torque may result in the valve coming apart.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

Yes. NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) has enacted code 58-2.3.1.5 which states that only tanks with overfill protection devices (OPD) can be refilled effective April 1, 2002. This code has been adopted as law by dozens of states across the country, and is also being enforced in many communities regardless of acceptance of the code at the state level.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

Every year thousands of propane tanks are overfilled at refill centers. Since overfilled tanks can be dangerous, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has enacted code 58-2.3.1.5. In summary, it states:

• All new tanks are to be manufactured with overfill protection devices (OPDs).
• Tanks without OPDs can no longer be refilled by anyone.
• Empty tanks with round or star shaped valve hand wheels do not contain OPDs and are obsolete.
• OPD tanks can be identified by the unique triangular shape of the valve's handwheel.
• They also have the letters "OPD" on the hand wheel and the side of the valve.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

Tanks with round- or star-shaped handwheels do not contain OPDs and are obsolete. Tanks with triangular shaped handwheels contain OPDs and are OK to use. The propane industry estimates there could be up to 50 million non-OPD tanks in operation in the US.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

Tanks with round- or star-shaped handwheels do not contain OPDs and are obsolete. Tanks with triangular shaped handwheels contain OPDs and are OK to use. The propane industry estimates there could be up to 50 million non-OPD tanks in operation in the US.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

Prices for propane exchange vary by retailer, depending on the propane market, the location of the store, and other factors. Please contact your local retailer for the current price.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

We recommend that you store tanks in a shaded or cool ventilated area. Do not bring your tank indoors. Storage outside of buildings should be located at least 5 feet (1.5 M) from any doorway or opening.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

No. Blue Rhino only sells standard grill tanks that should remain upright at all times.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

Turn the tank off for 15 minutes, making sure to disconnect it and turn it OFF. When turning the tank back on, only turn the handwheel one complete rotation. DO NOT turn the handwheel all the way until it stops! This causes frost and may also cause the hand wheel to break off.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

The US Department of Transportation (DOT) prohibits the transportation of tanks older than 12 years. Look for a date stamp on or near the collar of the tank. The date (month & year of re-qualification inspection) is usually stamped on the edge of the tank collar.

Tanks without unacceptable defects are good for up to 12 years from date of manufacture. A visual re-qualification is good for 5-years, assuming no defect occurs that would render that tank unacceptable subsequent to the re-qualification inspection.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

The appliance regulator will typically reduce the tank to anywhere from 1/2 psi to about 2 psi, depending on the size of the appliance and its BTU rating. Regulators are rated according to use. Usually, you can find the rated pressure on the side of the appliance regulator.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

According to NFPA 58, for a tank with 20 pounds of gas, at -

• 70 degrees F - the pressure would be about 145 psi.
• 90 degrees F - approximately 180 psi.
• 105 degrees F - approximately 235 psi.
• 130 degrees F - approximately 315 psi.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.>

Old regulators should work satisfactorily with the new ACME OPD valves assuming that the appliance rating in BTUs does not exceed 100,000 BTU's per hour. If the appliance has a maximum output rating of over 100,000 BTUs per hour, the smaller orifices in the design of the ACME OPD valve may result in some restrictions in the vapor flow from the tank. A regulator that is not working properly should be replaced with a new one.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

According to the Compressed Gas Association Pamphlet V-1, the "nipple" may vary in length from 1.087 inches to .884 inches.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

It depends on how much demand is placed on the tank by the appliance. Propane contains approximately 91,000 BTU's per gallon. If a consumer uses a propane tank to supply a grill that placed a 30,000 BTU per hour demand on the tank, a tank that has 3 gallons in it would last for about 9.1 hours. Variances in the weather as well as the rate of demand placed on the tank (such as operating the grill at demand levels above or below 30,000 BTU's) would either reduce or increase this time.

 

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

BTUs per hour is a rating associated with an appliance. For example, on an outdoor grill, the "higher" the setting of the grill burner knobs, the greater the demand in BTUs per hour on the cylinder. The "lower" the setting on the burner knobs, the lower the demand in BTU's per hour. A single gallon of propane should last approximately 3 hours if the demand is 30,000 BTUs per hour. It should last approximately 4.5 hours if the demand were reduced to 20,000 BTUs per hour.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

The pressure within the tank is dependent upon the ambient temperature of the propane within the tank. Typically, on a 70 F day, the propane may have a pressure of approximately 145 psi. To help ensure safe operation of the appliance burner(s), a regulator is provided at the inlet to the appliance to maintain a steady pressure of about 2 psi to the burner(s).

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO

Propane converts from liquid to vapor form by absorbing heat from the surrounding surfaces of the tank. When unusually high vapor withdrawal demands are placed on the cylinder (such as when used on a very high BTU rated appliance), the rapid heat absorption may cause a frost line to form on the cylinder wall or ice to form on the inside of the service valve. This condition can usually be avoided by matching the cylinder size with the appliance BTU rating. For example, a typical 20lb grill cylinder may show the above signs of "freezing" if an attempt is made to use it to supply a "weed burner" torch which may have a BTU rating of over 150,000 BTUs per hour.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

At Blue Rhino, we recycle millions of propane tanks each year, striving to ensure that they can be used safely in America’s backyards. Our state of the art production processes include multiple steps where we inspect, test, and leak check each and every tank we receive.

As a part of that, our staff of propane professionals is trained on how to identify a propane tank that may have been used in methamphetamine production. Watching for these tanks is part of our process. If we do encounter a tank that we suspect has been used in that manner, we immediately contact hazardous materials response units to properly dispose of the tank.

We encounter a very, very low amount of tanks used in meth production – just a handful out of millions each year. More than likely, anyone engaged in an illegal activity like that will be reluctant to bring their tanks to an exchange center.

By far the vast majority of propane tanks do what they are intended to do, which is to provide safe fuel for outdoor fun.

Grillers can feel confident that when they need gas for their grill or other propane appliance, Blue Rhino is not only a convenient choice but also a safe choice.

For more information, visit http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/methtank.asp.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

Here are some important safety tips to keep in mind when using your grill:

• Always follow manufacturer's instructions for assembly, operation, maintenance, repair and storage. Consult owner's manual.
• Always turn control knobs to OFF and tank valve to CLOSED when not in use.
• Make sure tank has the right connection for your grill.
• Inspect grill and tank before each use for damage or wear. Replace worn grill parts as needed, especially hose(s) and regulators.
• Never operate grill if parts are damaged, missing or improperly installed.
• Before lighting grill, always OPEN grill lid.
• Never move a grill that is in use.
• Never allow children to operate a grill or play around a grill.
• Use long handled utensils and flame retardant mitts to avoid burns.
• Use baking soda to control grease fires.
• Have a fire extinguisher handy.
• To reduce flare-ups, trim excess fat from meats, replace greasy lava rocks or ceramic briquettes, and keep grill clean.
• Wipe the grid with a clean cloth after using a wire brush. Click here for more information on using a wire brush.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

Please keep these important propane tank tips in mind at all times:

• Using soapy water, check tank and valve for leaks. Open the valve but leave the appliance off while testing. See the side of your Blue Rhino tank for more info or click here to view the video.
• Never store a spare tank beneath a grill.
• Always store tanks upright.
• Never store a tank in temperatures of 125 degrees F or more.
• When transporting, secure tank upright in a well-ventilated area of your vehicle. Drive directly to where it will be used. Do not allow tank to sit in a vehicle unattended.
• Never use or store a propane tank indoors.
• If storing your grill indoors, disconnect tank. Move tank to a secure, well-ventilated location outdoors.
• Do not try to repair a damaged tank or tank valve.
• Take a damaged tank to a qualified propane supplier for repairs or disposal.
• Ensure the tank valve handle is in the "Closed" position when the tank is not in use.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

During periods of inclement weather when there is a possibility of power failures, propane fueled heaters and grills can ensure you have a reliable source of heat and cooking. Demand for our product spikes after storms strike, so if a storm approaches, check to make sure you have enough propane on hand. Plus, don’t forget to be prepared for severe weather with these items:

• Fresh water and non-perishable, refrigerated food for at least three days
• Flashlights, lanterns, and extra batteries or fuel
• Portable stove and fuel
• First aid kit and medicines
• Special items for babies, elderly, pets
• Sleeping bags, pillows, airbeds, and manual or battery powered pump
• Raingear and sturdy footweater
• Tools for simple repais
• Charged cell phone
• Battery powered radio or TV
• Cash for three days
• Working car with full tank of gas

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

Because grill manufacturers no longer make grills with QDC connections, cylinder valve manufacturers are following suit. As a result, QDC valves are increasingly rare and therefore difficult for cylinder exchange providers to obtain. However, you can get a special adapter for your grill. Please contact your grill manufacturer or check the grill department.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

The OPD is located inside the tank. A specially calibrated float activates to stop the flow of gas into the tank before an unsafe fill level is reached. Valves with triangular shaped handwheels are OK.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO.

Inflationary pressures, including the volatile costs of steel, diesel fuel, and propane, have had a significant impact on the cylinder exchange industry. In 2008, to help control these rising costs, Blue Rhino followed the example of other consumer products companies with a product content change. We reduced the amount of propane in our tanks from 17 pounds to 15 pounds.

To ensure our consumers are properly notified, Blue Rhino clearly marks the amount of propane contained in our tanks, right on the package. Blue Rhino also notes the amount of propane contained in our tanks on our display signs.

Blue Rhino – The Best Way to Fuel Your Cookout
Blue Rhino has always been an important part of your grilling experience. That’s a commitment we take very seriously.

Blue Rhino tanks include more than just propane. Every tank is cleaned, safety and leak checked, and includes important safety information. When necessary, tanks are refurbished and outdated parts are replaced, extending the useful life of each and every tank. Then we deliver these tanks to a store near you, so it is convenient and ready whenever you need fuel.

For further assistance, please call our Customer Care Center at 1.800.BLU.RINO

Blue Rhino is not a deposit program. Retailers do not provide cash for the return of empty tanks. When you exchange a tank with Blue Rhino, you walk away with a tank you own and that you can use however you wish. 

If you have a gas grill propane tank that you no longer need and would like to recycle it, write “RECYCLE” on the tank and take it to any Blue Rhino location. Blue Rhino will collect the tank and refurbish it if possible. If the tank does not meet our safety and quality standards, we will recycle the tank.