For your next camping trip, you’ll need to make sure your propane tank is full and ready. If it needs recertification, you’ll want to take care of that beforehand. Otherwise, you’ll have a failed propane tank for the trip, and refilling it may be illegal.
If you want to learn about 100 lb propane tank recertification costs, follow this article for answers!
How Much Does 100 Lb Propane Tank Recertification Cost?
Your propane tank recertification will cost anywhere from $35 to $60. It varies according to the service provider and the weight of the tank. Generally, tanks of 100 pounds cost around $60 for their recertification.
Once your tank reaches its expiry date, which is a standard of 12 years for most propane tanks, you’ll need to pay for its recertification before you can refill it.
How Much Does 100 L Propane Tank Refill Cost?
The cost of refilling a propane tank differs according to the place you live and the time of the year. All tank owners know that prices of propane fluctuate throughout the year. Generally, it costs around $2–$2.75 for a gallon.
If you’re going to hire a professional or a company for refilling, they’ll charge a bit more than that. It’ll range between $3 and $4 per gallon, plus or minus.
How Often Should Your Propane Tank Get Recertification?
As a rule of thumb, you should get your propane tanks recertified after their expiry date passes and again five years after that. Most propane tanks have an expiry date of 12 years, so that means you should wait for the 12-year mark to get recertification.
All that being said, you don’t have to abide by the 12-year rule. We recommend getting recertification for the propane tank after a decade. You don’t need to wait for the expiry date; being early is always better.
If you don’t know the precise manufacturing date of your propane tank, you can check the cylinder collar for the stamp. It’ll have the date written in four digits.
If your cylinder has gotten recertification before, it’ll also have an alphanumeric stamp for the date. It’ll be around 6–8 digits and letters. The first two characters refer to the month, and the next digits refer to the certification code. After that, you’ll find the year.
When your propane tank is over a decade old, it’s illegal to refill it without getting it inspected and recertified, even if your dealer says otherwise. So it’s imperative to keep track of the manufacturing date and get recertification when it’s due.
Can You Get Recertification for Expired Tanks?
Yes, you can. Once the expiry date of your propane tank passes, you can’t use the tank or refill it. Even if you know dealers who’ll agree to refill it for you, it’ll be illegal. Getting recertification will solve that problem for you.
A lot of users decide to replace their old tanks with new ones, looking for convenience without the hassle of refilling an old one. However, buying a new tank is a bit costly. If you already own a tank that you can reuse, getting it certified and refilled will be cheaper than getting a new one, even if you manage to land a good exchange deal.
How To Recertify A Propane Tank
Getting recertification for your propane tank is a relatively easy process. You’ll have to get a propane retailer to perform a simple test and make sure the tank is still eligible for refilling and recertification.
Make sure to get a certified expert because otherwise, the dealer may refill your tank without recertification. This is illegal if the expiry date passes, so it’s essential to go through the test first.
After the test, the retailer will decide if the tank needs a new valve, which a lot of tanks need according to the state’s law.
To get recertification for your 100 lb propane tank, follow these steps.
- Look for the nearest propane retailer that’s certified to perform these kinds of tests. He should also be able to do any repairs if necessary and refill the propane tank for you afterward.
- If you can’t find a propane retailer nearby, you can visit the website ‘Propane’ and look for a supplier. The website will have you enter the ZIP code of your region. Afterward, you’ll have to check the box that says ‘Cylinder refill and repair.’
- After you check the box and search, a lot of different locations will pop up. You can then scroll through them and pick the most suitable one for you. Make sure the retailer is certified, then start contacting him.
- When contacting the retailer, mention that you’re looking to get recertification for your propane tank, and you need the appropriate tests done first. You’ll probably be given a date and time for the inspection then.
- When it’s time to go, the retailer will perform the needed tests, repair the propane tank if it needs it, and get it recertified. If you want, you can ask for the charged fee before going, but it mostly ranges from $35 to $60.
- Make sure to ask for a sticker of the recertification date on the cylinder, so you can always track when you need to do recertification again.
How Can You Tell If Your Propane Tank Needs a Refill?
If you want to know how much propane you have left, there are a couple of ways to determine that. First, you can buy a gauge, which will cost you from $5 to $25. It’ll accurately measure the number of gallons left in the tank.
Gauges have different shapes, but they mostly have a line that tells you whether you need a refill.
Alternatively, you can pour warm water on the tank from outside. It’ll absorb the heat and cool down instantly. Feel for the level using your hands; the cool side’s top will determine the current level.
Wrap Up
Getting your propane tank recertified is vital if you want to refill it. Otherwise, it’ll be illegal to use according to your state’s law. Always keep track of the manufacturing date, and when it’s time, find the nearest retailer and book an inspection.