Should I Get My Propane Tank Recertified?

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Should I Get My Propane Tank Recertified?

Key Takeaways

• • Safety and Legality: Propane tank recertification is a critical and necessary process to ensure safety, prevent accidents, and maintain regulatory compliance.
  • Recertification Cycle: Tanks should generally be recertified after 10 years from the date of manufacture. Small tanks typically have an initial lifespan of 12 years.
  • Lifespan Extension: Successful recertification grants an additional five years of legal use for the tank.
  • Cost: The average cost of recertification is around $50, which may be a more cost-effective option than exchanging or buying a new tank, depending on the tank size.
  • Expired Tanks: Tanks that have passed their expiration date can still be recertified, allowing them to be legally refilled and used for five more years.
  • Recertification Process: Recertification must be performed by a certified propane retailer who handles refills and repairs.
  • Pros of Owning: Owning a propane tank allows users to avoid rental costs and annual fees, negotiate refill rates, and customize the tank.
  • Cons of Owning: Ownership requires upfront cost and carries risks like potential leakage and accidents if the tank is not properly maintained.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often do I need to get my propane tank recertified?

• Answer: You should get your propane tank recertified after a 10-year cycle of use. While many small tanks have an initial lifespan of 12 years, you must get them inspected and recertified after this period to continue using them legally.

How long is a propane tank recertification good for?

• Answer: The initial certification of a new tank is typically good for 12 years from the date of manufacture (for small tanks). Once a tank is successfully recertified, the new certification is valid for an additional five years.

What is the approximate cost of recertifying a propane tank?

• Answer: The cost of recertification averages around $50. This price can fluctuate depending on the service provider. For most small tanks, this cost is comparable to or less than the price of buying a new tank.

Can an expired propane tank still be used or refilled?

• Answer: An expired propane tank cannot be legally refilled until it has been inspected and recertified. However, propane tanks can be recertified even after their expiry date. Recertifying an expired tank grants it an additional five years of safe and legal use.

How do I find the expiration or manufacturing date on my propane tank?

• Answer: You can find the manufacturing date by checking the 4-digit stamp on the cylinder’s collar. If the tank has been recertified before, it will have an aftermarket alphanumeric stamp (6 to 8 characters) that indicates the recertification date.

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Propane tanks are essential for various residential and commercial uses, but they also carry potential risks if not properly maintained.

For safety reasons, it is necessary to have your propane tank re-certified periodically.

The recertification process involves a thorough inspection of the tank to ensure it meets all safety standards and regulations. This process ensures the tank is safe for continued use, preventing potential accidents and ensuring efficient operation. Therefore, getting your propane tank re-certified is not only a wise decision but also a necessary one for safety purposes.

If you go camping, own a grill, or are aiming to have one, then you must be coming across the question, ‘Should I Get My Propane Tank Recertified?’

The fact that the costs of recertification and a new tank are almost the same makes the question even harder to answer.

But don’t worry, the answer is very simple. All you have to do is follow this guide and decide for yourself if you want to recertify your propane tank.

Cost Of A New Propane Tank

Now, when it comes to usage, a propane tank can be used for a wide variety of purposes in the home. Some of these include grilling, heating, and other methods. Moreover, getting professional help in deciding the right size can save time and inconvenience.

When comparing the prices of propane tanks, size is key, as it makes all the difference. Usually, a gallon of propane can weigh around 4 lbs. So, if a manufacturer is selling a 100-gallon unit, the label might say “420 lb tank.” The cost of a 100-gallon unit can range from $500 to $800.

In homes, the size of a propane tank can range from 5 to 50 gallons, depending on usage. Small tanks can range between $5 and $500 as they are used for minimal purposes and do not require any additional installation charges.

Cost Of Refilling A Tank?

Usually, refills can cost you around $4 per gallon, which is a little more than the actual price of propane. The price is not fixed and varies from region to region due to market fluctuations. Also, according to industry standards, the refill will only give you 80% of the total capacity.

So, if you want a 50-lb refill, then you’ll need to get something closer to 40 lbs.

Pros and Cons of a Propane Tank

Pros-

• One of the biggest pros of owning a tank is avoiding rental costs and any minimum annual fees for usage. This helps in cost-cutting as well as protecting you from getting exploited by the propane supplier.
• Also, you can choose and negotiate the rate according to your own choice. So, owning yours is far better than renting one.
• The above point leads us to another great feature, or more like a pro, which gives you the option of customization. If you own a tank, then you can either choose its color or paint it your desired color.
• The best part about owning one is that you can choose the size that you know will keep you in your comfort zone for the next decade.

Cons-

• Owning a propane tank can be a bit expensive if you are short on funds. And not everyone can afford the luxury of owning a propane tank. Some people would rather spend the same amount of money on an iPhone rather than a propane tank.
• One of the biggest cons of owning a tank is leakage. The worst thing that could happen to you is losing propane because of a small leak. A leaking cylinder can lead you to spend more and more money.
• Owning a propane tank can be risky, as there is a chance of accidents. In order to avoid such situations, make sure that the cylinder is repaired and there is no leak or anything that can be lethal.

What About Recertification?

Now, recertification is a totally different ball game. Recertification is something that one should opt for in times of uncertainty. If you are uncertain about the condition of your tank, then it is best to recertify it.

The cost of recertification averages around $50.

The price can fluctuate depending on the service provider. So, if the propane tank unit reaches its expiration date, then requesting an inspection is necessary before going for a refill. For small tanks, the expiration date is usually 12 years, whereas for larger tanks, no expiration date is mentioned.

But if you are looking for one, then asking a professional is always the best thing to do.

How Often Should I Get Propane Tanks Recertified?

Even though many propane tanks come with an expiration date of about 12 years, just remember that all tanks should be recertified after a decade of use. If you are unsure of the manufacturing date, you can check it from the 4-digit stamp of the cylinder’s collar. This usually gives you the exact date.

Also, if a cylinder has ever been recertified, then it should have an aftermarket alphanumeric stamp. It can have anywhere from 6 to 8 characters to help you identify it.

The first 2 digits of the stamp are the month. The next few digits are the certification code, followed by the year. So, if you’re planning to use that 10-year-old tank, you need to get it certified because, after a 10-year cycle, it becomes illegal to refill the cylinder.

You can refill it as long as it has been inspected as well as certified. In simple words, you can recertify a propane tank every 10 years.

Can Expired Tanks Be Recertified?

As mentioned above, propane tanks usually have a lifespan of 12 years. So, once that period is over, the tank cannot be used. Even though there are many dealers out there who will refill your expired tank, it is illegal to do so.

But you’d be glad to know that propane tanks can be recertified even after their expiry date.

Some people choose to exchange the old tank as they find it more convenient to get rid of a tank that they can’t use anymore, but really, that isn’t a very good idea. If you own a tank, refilling it is actually cheaper than the whole exchange program in most places.

So, instead of exchanging it, you can either recertify the tank or just buy a new one, depending on your needs, but remember that it won’t make much difference.

Is It Safe To Use A Tank After Its Certification Has Expired

The answer to this question is both no and yes. No, because if not certified, the tank can pose an issue after its expiry date. Yes, because if you have recertified your tank after the expiry date, you are not only making a better investment but also extending its lifespan by an additional five years.

So, once your propane tank has reached its expiry date, make sure that you either get it recertified or dispose of it by exchanging it or buying a new one.

How To Recertify A Propane Tank

A propane tank can be recertified in simple steps. The whole process of recertification is based on a simple test. The test is usually performed by a certified propane retailer.

Make sure that you go to an authentic dealer, as a certified person can ensure whether your cylinder can still be filled with propane.

There are times when a recertified cylinder is upgraded with a new valve in accordance with the state’s law. But all this is required once the 12-year period of your propane tank is over. To find out more, look for the manufacturing date engraved on the tank.

To know how to recertify your propane tank, follow these few steps listed below:

• Google the nearest propane retailer. The retailer must do a refill as well as a repair. You can also go directly to the website “Find a propane dealer.” On the website, you can enter your ZIP and check the box saying “Cylinder refill and repair.”
• It will take you to a page with different locations. There you can choose the most convenient one. Just contact the propane retailer and tell him/her that you are looking to do the recertification of your propane tank.
• Then, take your tank to the retailer, and they will handle the recertification. Usually, the retailer will charge a fee in order to recertify the tank. He would also put a sticker indicating the date of recertification.

How many years is a propane tank certification good for?

The duration for which a propane tank certification remains valid is typically 12 years from the date of manufacture. After this period, the tank must undergo requalification or be replaced. The requalification process extends the certification for an additional 5 years.

It’s imperative to note that using a propane tank beyond its certification period can pose serious risks; therefore, ensuring the certification is up to date is crucial. Hence, the total number of years a propane tank certification is good for can be up to 17 years, inclusive of the requalification period.

Final Thoughts

The Answer is Yes: Getting a propane tank recertified is not only advisable but mandatory to ensure continued safe and legal use, especially after the initial 10-year cycle.

Cost-Effectiveness: Since recertification costs are low (around $50) and extend the tank’s life by five years, it is usually a better investment than immediately buying a new small tank or opting for an exchange program.

Owner Responsibility: It is crucial for tank owners to check the date stamp (on the collar) and ensure their tank is inspected and certified by a professional before its expiration date to avoid the illegal practice of refilling an uncertified tank.

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