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20 lb Propane Tank Cost: Refill vs Exchange Prices (2026)

Refill costs $12-$20 for a full 20 lbs. Exchange costs $22-$30 for only 15 lbs. Refilling is almost always the better deal.

Refill Cost
$12-$20
Full 20 lbs
Exchange Cost
$22-$30
Only 15 lbs

Refill vs Exchange: Side-by-Side Comparison

FactorRefillExchange (Blue Rhino / AmeriGas)
Cost$12-$20$22-$30
Propane Amount20 lbs (full)15 lbs (75% full)
Cost per Pound$0.60-$1.00$1.47-$2.00
Your TankKeep your own tankSwap for a different tank
Accepts Old/Expired TanksNo - must be in good conditionYes - great for expired tanks
Wait Time5-10 minutes to fill2-3 minutes (tank swap)
AvailabilityPropane dealers, U-Haul, some hardwareWalmart, Home Depot, most gas stations
Bottom line: Refill is 40-60% cheaper per pound of propane. The only reason to exchange is if your tank is expired, damaged, or you need the instant convenience of a 2-minute swap and do not have time to wait for a fill.

Retailer Price Comparison: Where to Refill or Exchange (2026)

RetailerTypePrice RangePropane AmountNotes
CostcoRefill$10-$1420 lbsMembers only. Best price available. Not all locations have refill stations.
Tractor Supply Co.Refill$13-$1620 lbsWidely available in rural and suburban areas. Consistent pricing.
U-HaulRefill$14-$1820 lbsConvenient locations. Often open 7 days. Slightly pricier than TSC.
Ace HardwareRefill$15-$2020 lbsVaries by independently-owned location. Call ahead to confirm.
Local Propane DealerRefill$14-$2220 lbsPrice varies significantly by region. Often most competitive in rural areas.
WalmartExchange$22-$2815 lbsBlue Rhino or AmeriGas exchange. Convenient but expensive per pound.
Home DepotExchange$23-$2815 lbsBlue Rhino exchange at most locations. Ubiquitous but pricey.
Lowe'sExchange$22-$2715 lbsSimilar to Home Depot. Exchange only.
Most Gas StationsExchange$24-$3215 lbsHighest price point. Acceptable only in emergency situations.

How Long Does a 20 lb Tank Last?

Gas BBQ grill (medium heat)18-20 hours of cook time
Regular weekend griller3-6 months typical
Patio heater8-10 hours per tank
Fire pit4-6 hours depending on flame height
Single-burner camp stove30-40 hours of cooking

New Tank Purchase Cost

Buying a new 20 lb propane tank costs $30 to $60 depending on brand and retailer. Manchester Tank, Worthington, and AmeriGas are common brands. After purchase, you need to get it filled (not included in the purchase price).

Basic 20 lb tank (steel)$30-$40
Premium / composite tank$45-$75
First fill cost$12-$20
Total first-fill cost$42-$80

When buying new: check that the valve is OPD-compliant (required since 2002). Look for the triangular handwheel on the valve - that indicates OPD compliance.

20 lb Tank Expiration and Recertification

Every propane tank has a manufacture date stamped on the collar (the metal ring at the top). This date is in MM/YY format - for example, "04/13" means April 2013. Tanks expire 12 years after this date and cannot be refilled until recertified.

Recertification StageWhenCostWhere
First recertification12 years after manufacture date$30-$60Propane dealers, fire departments, specialty shops
Subsequent recertificationsEvery 5 years after first recert$30-$60Same as above
Tank replacementIf recertification fails or not worth cost$30-$60 for new tankRetailers selling tanks

If your tank is near expiration, the exchange program is a smart option - they accept expired tanks and give you a freshly recertified one. Just be aware you are paying more per pound of propane for that convenience.

Propane tank safety rules and storage requirements

Tips to Save on 20 lb Propane

Buy in summer

Prices are lowest May through August. Stock up an extra tank if you have storage space.

Always refill, never exchange

Unless your tank is expired, refilling at a dealer saves $8 to $15 per fill vs exchange programs.

Check Costco first

If you are a Costco member, their refill station is typically 20 to 30% cheaper than alternatives.

Buy multiple tanks

Keeping 2 tanks means you can refill both at once and never run out mid-cook. Buy when on sale at season start.

Check tare weight before filling

If a tank is near empty (close to TW on collar), you will get more value from a full refill than topping off.

20 lb Tank FAQ

How much does it cost to refill a 20 lb propane tank?
Refilling a 20 lb propane tank costs $12 to $20 depending on your location and where you go. Costco offers the best price for members at $10 to $14. Tractor Supply runs $13 to $16. U-Haul locations charge $14 to $18. Local propane dealers vary by region but typically fall in the $14 to $20 range. Prices are higher in the Northeast and Hawaii than in Texas and the South.
Is a propane tank exchange worth it?
Tank exchanges are convenient but expensive. Blue Rhino and AmeriGas exchange programs cost $22 to $30 but only put back 15 pounds of propane (not the full 20 lbs). This means you pay $1.47 to $2.00 per pound compared to $0.60 to $1.00 per pound for a full refill. The only time exchange makes sense is if your tank is old, damaged, or has an expired recertification date - exchange programs accept those while most refill stations will not.
How long does a 20 lb propane tank last on a BBQ grill?
A 20 lb propane tank provides about 18 to 20 hours of cooking time on a typical medium-sized gas grill running on medium heat. For a regular weekend griller (2 to 3 sessions per week, 30 to 45 minutes each), a 20 lb tank lasts 3 to 6 months. High-BTU burner setups, outdoor kitchens, or frequent full-power cooking will drain a tank faster.
When does a 20 lb propane tank expire?
Propane tanks have a 12-year life from their manufacture date before they require recertification. The manufacture date is stamped on the collar of the tank in month/year format (e.g., '06/14' means June 2014). After the initial 12 years, tanks can be recertified for an additional 5-year period. Recertification typically costs $30 to $60 and is offered at propane dealers and some fire departments. After the first recertification, tanks are certified for 5 years at a time.
What is the cheapest place to refill a 20 lb propane tank?
Costco warehouse locations are typically the cheapest for members at $10 to $14 for a full 20 lb refill. If you are not a Costco member, Tractor Supply Company is usually the next cheapest at $13 to $16. U-Haul and local propane dealers are good alternatives at $14 to $18. The absolute cheapest option is a large propane dealer or co-op if one is in your area.
How do I know when my 20 lb propane tank is empty?
The most reliable method is to weigh the tank. A standard empty 20 lb tank weighs 17 to 18 lbs (called the tare weight, stamped on the collar as TW). If your tank plus the number on the collar equals the tare weight, it is empty. Pour warm water down the side of the tank and feel for where the tank goes cold - that is the liquid level. A portable propane gauge that attaches to the valve also works, typically running $10 to $20 at hardware stores.
All tank refill costs|Tank safety guide