Refilling 1lb Propane Cylinders

[Firpo]

Could use some help from my friends. Apparently there’s a Mr Heater in my near future and with the cost of 1lb propane cylinders living north of $5.00 a piece, I’d really like the ability to refill them myself. My cost to refill a 20 pound bottle is around $12.50 so that would mean I can refill these little suckers for $0.63 each…….big savings. My question(s) is if anyone has experience refilling their own 1lb bottles? Also, what adapter did you go with?? Here’s a pic of the heater just cuz and a picture of the adapter I’m considering buying from Amazon. They’re asking $24.99 and it has a 4.4 star rating out of 250 customers which is the best I can find. Thanks for your input.

 

[mouthpiece]

I have that refill valve you show but have not used it yet.
I hear it is best to buy the 1lb propane bottles that are actually made to be refilled for best results but the regular 1lb bottles can be used.

 

[xseler]

I believe that there's an adapter that will let you use that heater hooked directly to the 20 lb. bottle. Would sure beat having to refill the 1 lb.er's so often....

Mr. Heater Big Buddy 12 ft. L Hose with Regulator F271803 - The Home Depot

Keep your hands comfortable with this Mr HeaterBig Buddy RV Hose with Regulator.

www.homedepot.com

 

[Mr.Glock]

I have refilled them. Freeze the small bottle, invert the 20lb. When needing portability I run my Big Buddy on a hose to 20lb and 100lb. On the hose @xseler mentioned above.

 

[retrieverman]

I’ve had a refill valve for several years and finally gave it a try a few months ago, and from my research and now experience, it works best if you put your 1# bottle in the freezer before attempting to fill them.

 

[Coug91]

I've refilled a couple of 1 pounders several times. Ready peasy. Mr heater sells a refillable cylinder - has the purge valve like a big cylinder, prolly easier than feeling a disposable.

 

[davek]

Those Big Buddy heaters can be hooked directly to 20 lb. cylinders. I also highly recommend getting the 6v adapter so you can run the fan off of house current instead of batteries.

 

[Firpo]

Thanks for your answers guys. I really appreciate the heads up and do have a 10’ Mr Heater hose in my cart that is made by them and of some special material not requiring a filter. Ya know, one of the things that I was looking forward to was the portability of the unit but in reality, I have to admit the circumstances where I’d be moving it around a bunch are likely not very often. Believe I’ll hit pause on the adapter idea and just go with the hose for now. When/If it ever becomes an issue I’ll take a look at this again.

 

[GlockPride]

@Firpo keep in mind, that any cylinder that’s filled/refilled should not have more than 80% its stated volume on board. Meaning, you’ll likely never get 20 lbs in a 20 lb cylinder. It’ll only legally be filled to 16 lbs. not a big deal, but will change your calculations some.
Also, cylinders not designed to refill are no longer DOT approved once refilled. For whatever that’s worth.

 

[DDriller]

No need to freeze the bottle before filling. Before you start weigh the bottle so you know when you have it full. It will not be full the first try. Use an allen wrench and push down on the pin in the center of the bottle (inside the threads not the little valve stem on the side) to release a little gas and then hook back up to your 20# bottle and fill again. Weigh it then and repeat bleeding pressure if needed. DO NOT put more than 1# in the bottle.
Amazon has some brass caps that seal and are great if one of your cylinders leaks a little plus it protects the threads.

The refillable bottles are much better to refill, but the initial expense stops a lot of people. If you are going to use it a lot they are worthwhile and pay for themselves pretty quickly. Much faster and easier to refill.

As others have pointed out you can use a 20# bottle direct to your Mr. Heater. Be sure and get a filter for the hose. Lowes sells the Mr. Heater filters.

Also it is illegal to transport the containers after they have been filled.