Gas Bottles - Refill, Swap, or Replace

Derek Barnes · Senior Member

Gas Bottles - Refill, Swap, or Replace

Dougwe · Chief one feather

LPG bottles have a 10 year life before testing is required. As you say the 'use by' date is stamped on the bottle. When it gets tested they stamp a new date on it.

I have 2 x 9kg bottles that came with my aluminium teepee, now 6.5 years old so still have 3.5 years left before testing is required. I will however change over to swap and goes more than likely with 12 months left before test date.

I get 'MY' bottles filled where ever I can that fill your bottles. I have avoided swapping them so far. That said, I have a swap and go 8.5kg bottle for my Weber and just swap and go it when needed usually at the big green shed, so far anyway.

Look around because prices can vary A LOT. Where I am staying and 20 mins away I pay $19.00 for my 9kg bottle to be filled but just down the road is $30.00 and the next town the other side of base camp, one place want's $26.00 and the best one, wants $39.00, yeh sure!

Swap and Go's can vary too.

Tony LEE · Guru

Generally better value to get a bottle filled even if the swap and go price is the same because you get an extra half kg. But, you have to stand around for 5 minutes while it is getting filled. There is an app called gas refills which sometimes comes up with some real bargains. Recent was 18 dollars which is quite common at BCF or BBQ galore. Highest this trip was 36 dollars for swapngo Found one place that charged by weight and a refill was 22 dollars so that was good for getting both bottles topped right up.

Radar · Guru

Derek Barnes wrote:
Gas Bottles only have a limited lifespan which I believe is printed on the bottle.
We only use our gas very infrequently when free camping, so it is many months before we need a refill. Usually we run all appliances including the induction cooktops on 240v electricity when in caravan parks, which is where we usually stay. We usually refill the gas bottles at a local camping shop.
My question is what is my best option for filling the gas bottles. Should I have them refilled until I am getting near the use by date and then swap them, or always swap them at the local Bunnings or a local garage? How do use use your gas bottles?

Some good clues there.

We rely on gas a lot while touring, BCF is by far my choice but have found the odd independent gas out good.

App is great to check prices.

Aus-Kiwi · Guru

Gas gets hell expensive out there ! Yes I prefer to get bottle filled . I have had a few short filled bottles on exchange . (Perth Bunnings ) Seemed like there was oil, some liquid in there ? As it weighed heavy . I have scales. Since changing fridge I use way less gas now . Check the flexible braided hose also . Should be replaced every 10 years also . Check leaks with soapy water ..

Mike Harding · Guru

I think my 1.25kg and 4kg gas bottles are now about 10 years past date but haven't blown up yet - I probably should get then tested but as I refill them myself there is no compulsion :)

Given how often (seldom) you use gas don't mess around just do a swap and go at where ever is convenient when the bottle is low - buy a hot water strip to assess gas level.

Gas, like most things in the bush, is a rip-off. I paid $35 for a (9kg) refill in Hopetoun (Vic) and $15 for a refill in Melbourne. I have paid $35 for a swap in Eskdale and $25 in Mitta Mitta - the latter being 15km more remote.

In Robinvale swaps vary from $35 to $25.

Tony Bev · Guru

I seem to find it more convenient, to use the swap and go system, from the nearest place I run out, (Bunnings/Servo etc)

Sometimes it is not convenient, to wait around somewhere for a refill, especially if I can not park nearby

After saying that, I did once get a bad bottle, (full of gunk), from a servo

Old and Grey · Senior Member

Derek Barnes wrote:
Gas Bottles only have a limited lifespan which I believe is printed on the bottle.
We only use our gas very infrequently when free camping, so it is many months before we need a refill. Usually we run all appliances including the induction cooktops on 240v electricity when in caravan parks, which is where we usually stay. We usually refill the gas bottles at a local camping shop.
My question is what is my best option for filling the gas bottles. Should I have them refilled until I am getting near the use by date and then swap them, or always swap them at the local Bunnings or a local garage? How do use use your gas bottles?

We got ripped off in Broome WA in 2019

BCF on average we find ok. Around early September/ Fathers day is the time to fill up.That is if your out and about.

Old & Grey

Old and Grey · Senior Member

Tony Bev wrote:
I seem to find it more convenient, to use the swap and go system, from the nearest place I run out, (Bunnings/Servo etc)

Sometimes it is not convenient, to wait around somewhere for a refill, especially if I can not park nearby

After saying that, I did once get a bad bottle, (full of gunk), from a servo

How True Tony Bev, Not only that It Buggers the fridge, gunking up your burner valve, stopping the fridge from staying alive. We found out the hard way. We carry a pack of tobacco pipe cleaners off E bay permanently in our van.

Grey

oldbloke · Guru

If my memory is correct the date on the bottle is the test date, not test by date.

gasbottlerefills.com/find-cheapest-gas-area-4/ this is the web site. Pretty dam handy.

Yes some swap are only 8.5kg. So ask.

Yes price varies a LOT

Possum3 · Guru

I always refill own bottle/s normally at BCF (cheapest) - Prefer to scrap and buy new bottles when they expire - I know their condition and am careful with gas equipment. You will find it would cost more to have your expired bottle refurbished, tested tan buying new unit.

Bas + Eve · Senior Member

We have 3 of our own bottles and 1 swap and go (for the outback where refills can be limited). We have just replaced our 3 after the 10yrs came up. Bought new ones from Bunnings (Cheap). We try to always get refills from BCF or Mitre 10 if no BCF. Swap and go we try to get from Bunnings but if thats not an option....another S+G reseller, servo etc.

Long Weekend · Guru

I bought a new 9kg bottle from Bunnings in mid last year - it happened to be the last one on the shelf. Then when I got it home was rather amazed to find that it was already two years old! But as I do not know where I will be in eight years time I didn't bother taking it back.

The old expired bottle was dropped off at the local tip - they have a collection point for them. Not sure what they do with them, possibly have them tested and updated at a cheap rate for a large number.

Haven't had a bottle filled at BCF yet, but Anaconda charged $19.99 on the card or $20 cash both here in Canberra and down in Geelong. Anaconda will not refill expired bottles. (Strangely, Anaconda Canberra is not listed in the site given by the 'Old Bloke.' But I had a bottle filled there last year, maybe they have given up gas refilling as too much effort for the cost.)

Murray

Buzz Lightbulb · Guru

I had an old expired gas bottle and I took it to swap and go and they said don't worry about it being put off date. They look after it.

My policy is refill if it's cheaper then swap and go if the gas cylinder is out of date. However, sometimes it is easier to swap and go if one's in a hurry.

hako · Guru

Re people commenting on the "exorbitant" price of LPG gas refills in the bush, please remember that if you don't buy from them they will eventually disappear.

Most if not all garages, grocery and hardware places in the bush run on the smell of an oily rag. If you don't support them they will not be there when you need them.

Good Luck.

Are We Lost · Guru

I took my small bottle to be refilled from a corner store. They no longer refill but offered me swap and go ($22). Rather than look for another refiller, I said OK.

But when they passed me the replacement it was about 2 inches shorter. The sticker on it showed 3.7kg, the same as my old one. But stamped on mine, under the sticker it showed 4.5kg. So I tried a local service station. None of their bottles were as large. So, with 20% more capacity I will be reluctant to part with it. It's not just the cost, but the extra time between needing refills.

Bas + Eve · Senior Member

Elgas who own Swap and Go advised that any out of date bottles can either be swapped for another or surrended.

Bas + Eve · Senior Member

We have found as the bottles near expiry date they tend to pick up any corrosion or impurities in the tank, blocking the jets. Yes if you are purchasing an off the shelf bottle ALWAYS check the test date.