How To Refill 1 lb Propane Cylinders, Tanks And “Disposable” Small Camping Propane Bottles

Camping propane is efficient for powering your gear. It is easy, safe, inexpensive and environmentally friendly to re-use 1 lb propane tanks.

Why throw away “disposable” small camping cylinders when you can refill them with one of the best camping gear items you can find!

We’ll show you how to refill 1 pound propane tanks with a propane refill adapter in minutes … and, we’re guessing you are going to love this cool camping gadget!

How To Refill 1 lb Propane Cylinders, Tanks And Disposable Small Camping Propane Bottles Using Propane Refill Adapters - Camping For Foodies .com

Psst we’re compensated…see our disclosures.

NOTHING in life is 100% totally safe so please do your own research to make your own determination and answer the question: Is It Safe To Refill 1lb Propane Bottles?


1 lb Propane Tanks vs. Refillable 1 lb Propane Tank

Re-Use Camping Propane Tanks by CampingForFoodies features a green 1 pound camping propane bottle with text over the image that reads re-use camping propane tanks.

There are many different portable propane tank sizes you can use to provide fuel to your camping gear.

For your equipment that requires 1lb cylinders, you need to know the two types that are available.

Most people use the Pre-Filled Disposable 1 lb Propane Tanks but there are also Refillable 1 lb Propane Tank Empty Canister types.

When you buy a disposable 1 lb propane tank, it comes with the propane in the can and after you use all of it, you throw away the empty cylinder.

The other type of propane canister is a refillable 1 lb propane tank.

When you buy this type of tank, it is empty and you need to fill it with propane before you use it.

It is intended to be refilled as you empty the tank.

Refillable 1 lb propane tanks are quite a bit more expensive than the disposable 1 lb propane tanks which is one reason people choose to use the pre-filled tanks.

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Pre-Filled Disposable 1 lb Propane TanksPre-Filled Disposable 1 lb Propane TanksPre-Filled Disposable 1 lb Propane TanksRefillable 1 lb Propane Tank Empty CanisterRefillable 1 lb Propane Tank Empty CanisterRefillable 1 lb Propane Tank Empty Canister

 


Tools Needed To Refill “Disposable” Small Camping Bottles / 1 lb Propane Tank Cylinders

Assuming you already have a “disposable” small propane camping bottle and a larger propane tank, you really only need one tool, a Propane Refill Adapter, to transfer propane from the larger tank into the small one.  Here are the items we use when we refill our cylinders.

  1. Propane Refill Adapter (connect the propane adapter 20lb to 1lb)
  2. 1 lb Propane Cylinders (the empty 1 pound tanks you want to fill)
  3. Propane Tank 20 Pound (the full tank you will be transferring from, these are the propane gas tanks you typically find on your home BBQ grill )
  4. Safety Glasses (not required, but a good idea to use)
  5. Kitchen Scale with ounce/gram measurements
  6. Work Gloves (not required, but a good idea to use)
Tools To Refill 1 lb Propane Cylinders, Tanks And Disposable Small Camping Propane Bottles Using Propane Refill Adapters - Camping For Foodies .com

 Propane Refill AdapterPropane Refill Adapter 1 lb. Propane Cylinders1 lb. Propane Cylinders 20 Pound Propane Tank20 Pound Propane Tank Safety GlassesSafety Glasses ScaleScale GlovesGloves

 


Steps To Refill 1 lb Propane Cylinders, Tanks And “Disposable” Small Propane Bottles

NOTE: This process should be done outdoors for proper ventilation and all safety precautions in this blog post and those from the manufacturers should be followed.

ASSUMPTION: We are assuming you have plenty of propane in your larger tanks. You can check the level of your larger tanks with several easy methods. Here’s how to tell if a larger propane tank is empty.

If your larger tanks are low, fill those first by finding propane refill near me and then continue with the process we’ve outlined below.

P.S. Some of the most inexpensive propane refill purchases we’ve made with our large tanks were at Costco. To see if there is a facility near you, check out Costco Propane Refill: How To Use The Costco Propane Service.


1. Check The Empty 1 lb Cylinder For Good Condition.

Check the condition of your 1 lb Propane Cylinders to ensure the tanks are not dented or rusty and that the threads are in good condition.

If a bottle is not suitable for refilling, make sure it is empty and get rid of it. Here’s how to empty propane tanks.

Only refill bottles that are in good shape.

Here is how to dispose of 1lb propane cylinders.

Thanks to Dave for leaving this suggestion in a comment:

“Just a thought here… it may be a good idea to be sure the 1lb cylinder is completely empty before the cylinder is placed in the freezer for 15 minutes. This could be done by attaching to a grill, lantern etc… and run it until the flame goes completely out.”

Thank you Dave for sharing your tip!

1 Pound Propane Camping Bottles1 Pound Propane Camping Bottles1 Pound Propane Camping Bottles

 


2. Chill The Empty 1 lb Cylinder.

The propane is actually moved from one tank to another by pressure.

When there is a pressure difference between the two tanks, the higher pressure tank will force propane to move to the tank with the lower pressure until the pressure in both tanks equalizes.

To help this along, leave the Larger Propane Tank in the sun to warm it up and raise the internal pressure AND cool the 1 pound Propane Cylinder by placing it in a cooler environment such as inside a freezer, refrigerator, ice cooler or at the very least, in the shade which lowers the internal pressure of the bottle.

This will ensure adequate propane transfer into the smaller bottle.

How To Refill 1 lb Propane Cylinders, Tanks And Disposable Small Camping Propane Bottles, Chill Empty Bottles Using Propane Refill Adapters - Camping For Foodies .com

3. Weigh The 1 lb Empty Cylinder.

Don’t refill the 1 pound cylinder beyond its allowable limit.

In order to know how much propane you have in the bottle once it is refilled, you have to know the weight of the empty bottle prior to filling it.

We use a Kitchen Scale for this step.

Kitchen ScaleKitchen ScaleKitchen Scale

 


4. Thread The Adapter To The Larger Filled 20lb Tank.

When you connect the Propane Refill Adapter into the valve of the larger tank, remember it has left-handed threads (so turn the adapter to the left to tighten).

You may need to use a wrench to get a snug fit but firm hand-tightening with a pair of Work Gloves has always worked for us.

UPDATE: Thank you to Tommy who mentioned in a comment to tighten the propane refill adapter to the larger propane tank a little more than hand tight because you don’t want the refill adapter to remain on the refilled 1 lb camping propane bottle when you remove it from the larger tank.

Propane Refill AdapterPropane Refill AdapterPropane Refill Adapter

 

How To Refill 1 lb Propane Cylinders, Tanks And Disposable Small Camping Propane Bottles Using Propane Refill Adapters, Thread The Adapter To The Tank - Camping For Foodies .com

5. Connect The Empty 1 lb Propane Cylinder To The Propane Refill Adapter.

Just screw the 1 pound cylinder to the Propane Refill Adapter being careful not to cross-thread!

On a related note, these adapters make awesome camping gifts and are especially nice as inexpensive stocking stuffers at Christmas time!

Propane Refill AdapterPropane Refill AdapterPropane Refill Adapter

 

How To Refill 1 lb Propane Cylinders, Tanks And Disposable Small Camping Propane Bottles Using Propane Refill Adapters, Screw The 1 lb Cylinder To The Adapter - Camping For Foodies .com

6. Invert The Connected Propane Tanks.

Now that both tanks are connected by the Propane Refill Adapter, you want to invert the entire “contraption” and set it on a flat surface.

How To Refill 1 lb Propane Cylinders, Tanks And Disposable Small Camping Propane Bottles Using Propane Refill Adapters, Invert The Connected Propane Tanks, Open Valve And Fill - Camping For Foodies .com

As a side note: Propane Refill Adapters are some of the most popular gifts given to campers during the holiday gift-giving season.

If you are looking for more ideas, check out our Christmas Gifts For Campers And RV Owners: 100+ Ideas For This Holiday Season post!

During the season, we update this post DAILY so you can see the most popular gift ideas.


7. Open The Larger 20lb Tank’s Valve.

With everything inverted, VERY SLOWLY open the valve on the Larger Propane Tank until you hear the transfer of propane taking place.

Keep everything inverted during this part of the process so maximum liquid transfer takes place.

Note: If you are filling multiple 1lb propane tanks, don’t forget to refill your BBQ gas tank before your next barbecue party.

There is nothing worse than telling your guests you forgot you used your home tank to refill your camping gear and you begin frantically searching for the nearest propane refill near me that is open on a Sunday afternoon in order to finish cooking the hamburgers!

UPDATE: Thank you to Steve who mentioned in a comment that new propane valves have a “sudden lock out” safety feature (which is triggered in the event that there is suddenly an open line, such as a pipe rupturing.) To avoid triggering the sudden lock out, just open the valve much more slowly at first. There will be a point where there is enough pressure in the little bottle to keep the safety valve from closing, then you can fully open the large tank valve.

20 Pound Steel Propane Tank20 Pound Steel Propane Tank20 Pound Steel Propane Tank

 


8. Listen For The Transfer To Stop.

The sound of the transfer will come to a stop when the pressure in both tanks is equalized.

We usually get just under 1 pound of propane in a refilled cylinder which is well within the safety limits of the max-rated capacity of the cylinder.

How To Refill 1 lb Propane Cylinders Tanks And Small Camping Propane Bottles Listen For The Transfer To Stop by CampingForFoodies

9. Turn Off The Larger 20lb Propane Tank’s Valve. 

After the transfer is complete, close the larger tank’s valve and turn the tanks right-side-up.

Note: Some people refer to the larger tanks as LP tanks (LPG – Liquefied Petroleum Gas) … propane is just one type of LP gas … other types include butane, isobutane and mixtures of these gases.


10. Remove Both Propane Tanks From The Adapter.

Unscrew the 1 lb propane refilled cylinder from the Propane Refill Adapter and replace its plastic thread protector cap to safeguard the threads. If the original caps are not in good shape, you may want to consider replacing them with Solid Brass Refill 1 LB Propane Bottle Caps.

Now, remove the adapter from the larger propane tank by turning the Adapter to the right (remember these are left-handed threads.)

Note: When people consider how to store propane tanks, they usually protect them from being dented but they often neglect to protect the threads because it is so easy to misplace the caps. Your camping propane cylinders will last much longer if you cap them during transportation and storage.

Solid Brass Refill 1 LB Propane Bottle CapsSolid Brass Refill 1 LB Propane Bottle CapsSolid Brass Refill 1 LB Propane Bottle Caps

 


11. Weigh The 1lb Propane Refilled Cylinder.

To ensure you have not exceeded the max-rated capacity of the 1 lb cylinder, use a Kitchen Scale to weigh the refilled cylinder and calculate the net propane weight by subtracting the empty weight from the new refilled weight.

Each model is different so check with your manufacturer for specific details.

How To Refill 1 lb Propane Cylinders, Tanks And Disposable Small Camping Propane Bottles Using Propane Refill Adapters, Weigh The Refilled Cylinder - Camping For Foodies .com

UPDATE: Thank you to Tommy who mentioned in a comment to check the refilled bottle for leaks with soapy water … he suggests 1 part Dawn Dish Soap to 10 parts water. Use a soap that has no phosphorus which attacks copper and brass. Now you are done and ready to use your refilled camping propane cylinder with some totally cool gear … check these out!

After you get the hang of using your propane refill adapter, you’ll understand why we think it is one of the best propane camping gear items you should have in your toolbox!

Dawn Dish SoapDawn Dish SoapDawn Dish Soap

 

Print These Instructions

How To Refill 1 lb Propane Cylinders, Tanks And Small Camping Propane Bottles - Camping For Foodies .com
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4.74 from 19 votes

Camping For Foodies: How To Refill 1 lb Propane Cylinders, Tanks And “Disposable” Small Camping Propane Bottles

Camping For Foodies: How to use a propane refill adapter to refill 1 pound camping propane canister cylinders.
Prep Time10 minutes
Active Time20 minutes
Additional Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 30 minutes
Course: RV and Tent Camping Tips
Author: Kim Hanna

Equipment

  • Propane Refill Adapter (to connect the two tanks together)
  • 1 lb Propane Cylinders (the empty 1 pound tanks you want to fill)
  • Propane Tank 20 Pound (the full tank you will be transferring from)
  • Safety Glasses
  • Kitchen Scale with ounce/gram measurements
  • Work Gloves

Materials

  • Propane in the larger tank that will be feeding the smaller camping propane canister

Instructions

  • Check The Empty 1 lb Cylinder For Good Condition: Not dented or rusty and that the threads are in good condition.
  • Chill The Empty 1 lb Cylinder: A refrigerator or ice cooler work great. (about 2 hours will get it chilled.)
  • Weigh The 1 lb Empty Cylinder: So you know how much propane to add without exceeding the tank’s allowable limit.
  • Thread The Propane Refill Adapter To The Larger Filled 20lb Tank: When you connect the Propane Refill Adapter into the valve of the larger tank, remember it has left-handed threads and be sure to tighten firmly.
  • Connect The Empty 1 lb Propane Cylinder To The Propane Refill Adapter: Be careful not to cross-thread.
  • Invert The Connected Propane Tanks: Set on a flat surface.
  • Very SLOWLY Open The Larger 20lb Tank’s Valve: You should hear the transfer of propane taking place.
  • Listen For The Transfer To Stop: Which will happen when the pressure in both tanks is equalized.
  • Turn Off The Larger 20lb Propane Tank’s Valve: Close the larger tank’s valve and turn the tanks right-side-up.
  • Remove Both Propane Tanks From The Adapter.
  • Weigh The 1lb Propane Refilled Cylinder: Make sure you have not exceeded the max-rated capacity of the 1 lb cylinder. (To calculate the net propane weight, subtract the empty weight from the new refilled weight. Each model is different so check with your manufacturer for specific details.)

Notes

This process should be done outdoors for proper ventilation.
Laws vary by jurisdiction so check with local authorities to see if propane cylinder refilling is legal in your area.
Follow all safety precautions listed in our blog post and those from the manufacturers.

Alternatives To 1lb Bottles

If you use a lot of propane on your trips, you may want to consider using a larger, standard-sized propane tank with your 1 pound propane camping equipment. A 1lb-to-20lb Propane Adapter is a great option.

1lb to 20lb Propane Adapter With Durable Braided Hose, Compatible With 1 Pound Propane Cylinder Camping Equipment1lb to 20lb Propane Adapter With Durable Braided Hose, Compatible With 1 Pound Propane Cylinder Camping Equipment1lb to 20lb Propane Adapter With Durable Braided Hose, Compatible With 1 Pound Propane Cylinder Camping EquipmentConnects 1-Pound Propane Cylinder Equipment To A Standard 20-Pound Propane Tank FittingConnects 1-Pound Propane Cylinder Equipment To A Standard 20-Pound Propane Tank FittingConnects 1-Pound Propane Cylinder Equipment To A Standard 20-Pound Propane Tank Fitting

 

NOTE: You do not have to use a 20-pound propane tank with this adapter, any size tank that has the standard fitting found on a backyard BBQ tank will work with this adapter.

We use our adapter with our 11 Pound “Squatty” Propane Tank Cylinder.

Flame King 11 Pound Propane Tank Cylinder Squatty With Type 1 OPD ValveFlame King 11 Pound Propane Tank Cylinder Squatty With Type 1 OPD ValveFlame King 11 Pound Propane Tank Cylinder Squatty With Type 1 OPD Valve20 Pound Standard Propane Tank Compared To 11 Pound Squatty Propane Tank20 Pound Standard Propane Tank Compared To 11 Pound Squatty Propane Tank20 Pound Standard Propane Tank Compared To 11 Pound Squatty Propane Tank

 


Camping Gear That Uses 1 Pound Propane Cylinders

Most people use 1 lb Propane Cylinders to provide energy for cooking food on their best camping grill stove.

We have used these cylinders with camping lights and other types of camping equipment too.

If you don’t know which is the best propane lantern for your needs, check out our reviews of the top models.

If you’re camping under fire restrictions, you can use a Fire Ring instead of having a wood-burning campfire. If you have access to a larger tank, check out our top pick for the best camping propane fire pit.

Here are some other cool camp items you may want to use with your refilled “disposable” small propane bottles on your next camp trip.

 Propane LanternPropane Lantern Indoor Safe Propane HeaterIndoor Safe Propane Heater Portable Propane Coffee MakerPortable Propane Coffee Maker Propane Water Heater & Shower PumpPropane Water Heater & Shower Pump Garden TorchGarden Torch Propane Outdoor Oven/StovePropane Outdoor Oven/Stove Bottletop Propane StoveBottletop Propane Stove Camp Propane Grill/StoveCamp Propane Grill/Stove Propane 2-Burner Folding StovePropane 2-Burner Folding Stove 3-Burner Propane Stove3-Burner Propane Stove Portable Propane GrillPortable Propane Grill Butane/Propane Dual Fuel StoveButane/Propane Dual Fuel Stove

 


We like using these tanks to power our propane heaters when tent camping in cold weather, see How To Heat A Tent Without Electricity for more tips.

We use our 1 lb propane tank with our camp torch to melt cheese in recipes like this yummy Camp Cast Iron Skillet Breakfast Nachos Recipe.


Is Propane Cylinder Refilling Legal?

Laws vary by jurisdiction, so there is not one-single answer to this question.

You should check with the authorities in your area regarding refilling 1 lb propane tanks … whether they are the pre-filled disposable types of propane tanks or the refillable 1 lb propane tank camping style propane canisters.

If it is not legal to refill these tanks, you might begin to call them “propain tanks” … get it … “pain” … because nobody likes getting tickets from the authorities! LOL


Cooking is one of the most common uses for 1lb camping propane tank fuel. 

We have amazing camp stove recipes you will be thrilled to eat!

Easy, Unique And Totally Delicious Camp Stove Recipes by CampingForFoodies. This is an image of a cast iron Dutch oven sitting on a propane gas stove on a table outside cooking at a campsite.
Refill Your Tank And Save Money On Camping Propane Cylinders by CampingForFoodies

If you’re looking for awesome ideas for yummy camping food, you’re in the right place! Here’s our entire camping recipes list.

Get FREE camping tips and meal ideas emailed to you!

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24 Comments

  1. When I follow the procedure exactly, I still don’t get the one-pound bottles to fill very much. Any thoughts?

    1. Hi Mikial! Thanks for reaching out! This is the procedure we’ve used for years and it always works. The times that it doesn’t fill very much is when we did not let the small tank get cold enough in the refrigerator so the temperature difference between the two bottles was not as great. Try that and please let me know if that helps. Thanks, Kim

  2. AFTER filling…bleed off some of the “gas” from the canister being filled. Insert dowel gently into top of the main valve point top of canister away from you.

    Reattach to large tank and repeat process until attaining weight desired.

  3. Jacob Dunbar says:

    the video goes WAY WAY to fast!!!

    ***thumbs down***

    1. Hi Jacob! Thanks for your opinion! We did include printable instructions in the post in addition to the video so hopefully the detailed instructions are helpful to you. We will take your advice and will make slower videos for other projects in the future. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts! Happy Camping, Kim

  4. Otto Kiehl says:

    1. Regarding the legality of refilling. Unless there are some weird local rules, generally the only law that relates to this procedure is: transporting the refilled container. This MAY violate DOT regulations, however if you don’t take them anywhere, you will generally be good to go.

    2. If you are not going to worry about overfilling the cylinder, why bother weighing at all?

    1. Hello Otto! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with laws regarding refilling camping propane cylinders and transporting them. We do weigh the cylinders so we don’t overfill them. In the post I mentioned “Don’t refill the 1 pound cylinder beyond its allowable limit” … but … as I read through the post I realized I had a typo in the sentence that read “We usually get just over (corrected to under) 1 pound of propane in a refilled cylinder which is well within the safety limits of the max-rated capacity of the cylinder.” I have made the correction, thank you for catching that and bringing it to my attention! Happy Camping, Kim

  5. Do you have a printable version of this article? If i print, it comes out to 25 pages and I hate to waste paper and printer ink.

    1. Hi Diane! Thanks for asking! I have added a printable version of the instructions on How To Refill 1 lb Propane Cylinders, Tanks And “Disposable” Small Camping Propane Bottles which has the major steps and tools required for this project. Thanks again for stopping by! Happy Camping, Kim

  6. Just a thought here… it may be a good idea to be sure the 1lb cylinder is completely empty before the cylinder is placed in the freezer for 15 minutes. This could be done by attaching to a grill, lantern etc… and run it until the flame goes completely out.

    1. Hi Dave! Great idea! I am going to add your suggestion to the post right now … Thanks for sharing your thought! Happy Camping!

  7. What is the tare weight of the bottle?

    1. Hi Alan, Thanks for the question. You can find the tare weight of the bottle by weighing the empty bottle as we discussed in Step 3 of the process outlined in our post.

  8. First, tighten the adaptor to the “doner ” propane tank a little more than hand tight. You don’t want the refill adaptor to remain on the refilled 1 lb tank when you remove it from the diner tank!
    Second, after refilling the 1lb bottle, close the valve on the doner tank BEFORE you turn the combination right-side-up.
    Lastly, check the refilled bottle for leaks with soapy water, 1 part Dawn to 10 parts water. Dawn has no phosphorus which attacks copper and brass

    1. Hi Tommy! Thanks for your comment! I am going to update this post to include your awesome tips!!!

  9. After completing the refilling process, what do you do if the 1 lb propane canister cylinder ends up weighing more than the max rated 1 lb? What’s the best way to reduce the weight?

    1. Hello Will! Thanks for your question. You should not have a problem with the cylinder being overfilled if you follow the process we have outlined; it is actually more likely that the bottle won’t be totally filled because we do not encourage anyone to manipulate the pressure relief valve on the cylinder. But, after refilling, if the cylinder does exceed the manufacturer’s stated limit, a common way to reduce the propane in the cylinder is to connect the refill adapter to the cylinder (and not connect it to the larger propane tank) and let it bleed off the overfill (you’ll want to wear gloves for this process too). We have never overfilled our cylinder tanks so we don’t have personal experience with bleeding off the overfill but we do have friends who have done what we have described with much success.

  10. Wim v Oorschot says:

    Hi, I’m from the Netherlands and used this type of adapter to make it fit on the Propane tanks we have here. I tried to do the refilling however after the inverting thing and opening the valve I only get a gas flow of one second and no more gas comes through. I made sure that the bottle was cold enough but it seems that no more gas fits in. I have also tried to see what happens when I pull the “over pressure valve”, but this function normally. I thought maybe it was the difference in pressure we use here in the tanks, but 10 bar equals to 145 psi what is normal as far I can find on the internet. I really can’t find anything on the internet that can explain why this happens. I have three Coleman propane tanks and all three show the same. Hopefully, someone can help me out.

    1. Hello Wim. Thanks for the note; unfortunately we are not familiar with the equipment specifications in the Netherlands. The steps we have outlined in our blog post work on the equipment we have in the U.S.

    2. You are opening the larger tank valve too quickly…open it *very* slowly. All new propane valves have a “sudden lock out” safety feature if there’s suddenly an open line such as a pipe rupturing. Just open the valve much more slowly at first. There will be a point where there is enuff pressure in the little bottle to keep the safety valve from closing…then you can fully open the large tank valve.

      1. Thanks for your comment Steve! I am going to update the post to make this more clear…maybe you should be my editor! LOL

  11. Great article, thanks for your share <3