N
Luxe Prestige Chronicle

Is it cheaper to exchange or refill propane? check this out | how much does a 20 lb propane tank cost

Author

Sophia Aguilar

Updated on July 18, 2026

The decision about propane tank exchange vs refill is less about what is the better option, and more a matter of convenience vs price. So, is it cheaper to exchange a propane tank or refill it? The short answer is refilling is cheaper.

An empty 20 lb propane tank would cost about $35 to $60. The costs may vary depending on the brand, quality, and other features. If the tank comes with a built-in gas meter gauge, then it will increase the price by about $20.

A 20 lb propane tank will cost approximately $14-$20 to fill. The rate you pay depends on the refill cost, usually $3- $4 per gallon. Since a 20 lb tank holds about 4.7 gallons of propane, multiply the cost of propane per gallon by 4.7. For example, $3 X 4.7 = $14.10.

How long does a 20lb propane tank last?

Following this rule, a 20lb propane tank will provide 18-20 hours of cooking time on a medium grill. A larger grill can burn through 20lbs of propane in as little as 10 hours.

How many times can you refill a propane tank?

Expect to Refill Your Tank Twice a Year. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, the average homeowner should expect to refill their tank about least twice a year. The speed at which you use your propane depends on a number of factors, including: The size of your home.

What is the cheapest month to buy propane?

Early fall is a “shoulder” season between these periods of peak demand – meaning it’s often the best time to save money on your propane tank refills. Weather is more stable – Sudden cold snaps are common during late autumn and early winter, but they happen less often in the early fall.

How many gallons is a 20 lb propane tank?

20 lb Propane Tank

20 pound propane tanks are often referred to as grill cylinders and hold 4.6 gallons of propane when full.

Does propane go bad?

Another way you get peace of mind with propane delivery from Bottini Fuel is that propane doesn’t have a shelf life or an expiration date. That’s because propane doesn’t go bad! Other fuel sources can degrade over time, like kerosene, diesel, heating oil and gasoline.

Can propane tanks explode?

Propane is explosive and propane can explode but a propane-LPG tank explosion is actually very rare. Propane tanks (gas cylinders) can explode but not easily or often. It is actually really hard to have a propane tank explode.

How much is an empty propane tank worth?

The 14 or 16 ounce tanks cannot be transported legally if they have been refilled. They are worth a few cents at most as scrap. However, they can be used in a variety of craft projects. If your talking about the 20 gallon propane tank for BBQpits or RVs then they sell for about $35 new empty.

How much is Costco’s propane?

Costco sells empty 20 lb propane tanks for $29.99.

How many years does a propane tank last?

As a rule of thumb, one tank of propane will typically last between 18-20 hours if you’re grilling on a medium-sized grill. Whereas larger grills can burn through 20-pounds of propane in as little as 10 hours. On average, you’ll use one or two pounds of fuel per meal if you use a medium-sized grill on high heat.

How much does it cost to fill propane at Costco?

Propane Cylinder Refill Price Example

tank) total price comes to $19.58. At Costco, the price for propane was $. 56/litre. Therefore, a standard 17.8 litre tank at Costco comes to $9.96.