Why you should never use Blue Rhino for propane purchases !

Doug · May 1, 2019

I think it's appropriate now that summer is in sight, I'm still sitting in front of an indoor propane heater as I type this , it's still chilly in my corner of CT., I like the feel of some air driven heat directed my way , in addition to the radiant oil based base board hot water ancient system, I would love to upgrade that to a heat pump system and shitcan the old oil burner technology !

Back to BR, . It's touted as quick and easy. Well you still have to haul the empty tank to the grocery/ drug store or whatever, then find an employee of that store to handle the transaction.

You are far better off bringing your MT to a place that sells fuels as their specialty. It will be cheaper and faster !

I have much , much more to say about this subject, just getting it started while trying to get through to a company I need to talk to that is phone delaying me !

I'LL BE BACK !

RunMaker · May 1, 2019

I hope your'e not a smoker.

Doug · May 1, 2019

No, RM, haven't smoked anything in decades, I don't even like the smell in the air when my neighbor that is over 100 meters away burns wood in the winter, I'll get to the indoor use of propane heaters in a bit , but get back on topic about BR, until sidetracked !

Doug · May 1, 2019

First of all , new or newish is always better than old or oldish !

Those so- called 20 lb propane tanks are all pretty much the same !

Doug · May 1, 2019

A tank always has a manufacted on date stamped somewhere on the collar of the tank, it is considered to be safe for use for 12 years from date, and no dealer will have a problem refilling it , if it is within the age limit, much akin to being 21 to buy alcohol, possible penalties for filling a tank ( For the seller ) that hasn't been recertified if older than 12 years

Doug · May 1, 2019

Ok, new is better than old !

So you're a casual summer BBQ guy, you might even invite over 8-12 guests for a little party and
Have some fun ! Well your party is ruined if your tank runs out of LP, so you need a backup tank, for an easy changeover, then refill the MT later, your drill comes with 2 batteries, why not have a backup for your grill ? I'll tell you why not...your wife will bitch about it, some irrational fear it's so volatile it's going to explode if you breathe on it with bad breath !

Honestly how often do you hear of homeowners dying because of a propane explosion in their home ?

It's as safe as anything else if handled with care ! I wouldn't drive around with full tanks as a habit, not like hey it's a good idea to carry a bag of cat litter and a foldable shovel in the winter.

I'm quite used to routinely carrying around large cylinders of gasses like Oxygen, acetyne, freon, nitrogen, just stuff I needed for my AC when I did stuff.

I couldn't get a work truck because of a DUI, but was a top installer, so I hauled all this needed stuff in my personal truck !

Michelangelo · May 1, 2019

Use charcoal for grilling. Much hotter heat leading to better tasting meats and veggies.

PhilShiffley · May 1, 2019

Doug, how is the new TV and can you get Blue Rhino at Walmart??

Doug · May 1, 2019

New TV is just fine, of course you can get blue Rhino at any Walmart, but I urge you not to use BR, for many reasons. W/M is the best place to buy BR , it's all exactly the same wherever you buy BR , around here the universal price is $19.99, a few sellers might even try for $23.99, WM has been some weird price just under $15 for several years, $ 14.84 or something like that, but don't BR it !

Doug · May 1, 2019

Here is the best reason to not use BR, especially if you have a nice brand new tank, that runs right around $30 from a discounter like WM or Costco to 35-40-45, from a rip-off store.

Keep that nice new tank that's good for 12 years, the valve won't be fucked up on a new tank, and you really should own two tanks !

You will get a tank that is over 12 years old and recertified in exchange for your nice new problem free one ! It's kinda like trading a nearly new Toyota RAV4, straight up for a 14 year old Honda CR-V !

Both are comparable and fine cars, do you pick the new one or the old one if given either for free ?

Doug · May 2, 2019

Propane is not sold by the pound, it's a liquid gas as sold, LP stands for liqified propane. So it is sold like gasoline.

The 20 lb stuff is the difference between what an MT cannisters weighs ( 17 lbs) and a the weight of an honestly filled one weighs ( 37 lbs), thus the 20 lb name. It's actually something more like 4.3 gallons or so, to a dealer

There is a need for expansion room for temperature changes and such so allowing for that, a full tank wieghs in at 37 lbs.

Doug · May 2, 2019

Guess what happens when you go to reputable dealer for a fill, you pay $16, retain your nice new defect free tank that weighs between 36.8- 37.2 lbs on the bathroom scale, a "full" BR tank weighs right around 33 lbs ! They can always claim it's for safety reasons, but in reality it's just product shrinkage, that's why a half gallon on ice cream is now 48 oz.

Doug · May 2, 2019

Ok guys, I'll give you my real name.
.

I'm Hank Hill from Arlen, Tx. I'm just asst mgr at Strickland Propane, but my life revolves around this fantastic gas, it's my God, and I want to share it with you, can I give you a flower and discuss this most holiest and blessed gaseous beautiful substance with you for an hour or two ?

slapshot · May 2, 2019

It’s definitely not faster as the guy who fills the propane tanks is probably mixing pant or selling gardening tools so you have to wait on him to finish

bigbet1234 · May 2, 2019

Doug, do talk to yourself or hear voices?

Doug · May 2, 2019

bigbet1234 said:
Doug, do talk to yourself or hear voices?

I'm just trying to tell you guys some helpful information that is appropiate to the season, BB !

When I have a lot to say I often break it up into a few posts. I'm not great at being brief, when I take a position on something I Give my reasons for my opinion.

Michelangelo : sure, charcoal is superior , but not very practical when feeding 1-2 people, way to much trouble for a couple of burgers !

Slapshot : spot- on about WM ( or anywhere else) being slower than just refilling your present tank. I've been the guy that is supposed to fulfill those propane exchanges. I get a call to handle that, I'm on the register , have 5 people in line, there are supposed to be 2 people in this Dept, but I'm alone today, It might be 4 hours before I can get this guy his propane, you guys on the front end have to cover this one !

Then it gets passed around and maybe 30 minutes later, you'll get a retarded cart pusher that has never handled propane before, he will have the keys to unlock the cage, but won't figure out how to open it, you'll probably wind up opening for him, 45 minutes later you have an old short-filled BR tank of propane !

Or take it to a real gas dealer and actually pay less and be done in 5 minutes !

Blue Rhino sucks !

C.P. · May 2, 2019

I go ACE WARDWARE ...

IT takes more time to walk up to the cashier...

pull in the back...they re-fill to 3 min's...

Doug · May 2, 2019

The only time I use BR is if I have a defective tank with a bad valve that I want to get rid of !

Try and pick out which tank looks the newest while waiting at a store, kind of like choosing fruit at the supermarket !

I have 5 tanks right now, all are MT and I'll refill them in the next couple of days when I can get a ride. My first X-wife somehow comes up with all kinds of free stuff, she will axe me, Doug do want a propane tank ?
Sure I'll take it.

I've got tons of storage, 2 sheds with power totalling 700 sf, the house is only 866 sf

Some survivalist sorts stockpile ammo and guns. Propane is very valuable in an end of the world spot ,too ! That's not the reason I will keep as much as possible around.

If the power goes out in the dead of winter, it's my only heat source, I never pass up a free tank !

Doug · May 2, 2019

C.P. said:
I go ACE WARDWARE ...

IT takes more time to walk up to the cashier...

pull in the back...they re-fill to 3 min's...

Nothing wrong with ace, the friendly place, they are great at making keys, too ! A-1 customer service

I'd still go to a gas dealer, especially if I have 5 tanks to fill.

Nothing against WM, but if you need some specialized service like getting a key made, or custom paint mix, or even a propane exchange, go to the hardware store, you'll just get upset and angry at a Walmart
They are fine if you what you want, know where it is, want a low price, and don't mind using the self checkout terminals

pete7713 · May 2, 2019

Blue rhino was the best option for me. I can drive 1 mile for BR or drive 10 miles to tractor supply and get it filled. I have used tractor supply in the past and you still have to wait for a clerk to get it filled. Sure it's a few dollars cheaper at tractor supply but not worth my time. We are talking about a $20 tank right. I actually use charcoal now, it's much better.