Don’t confuse the new OPD valves with the triangular handle with the Blue Rhino-only TS2 OPD valves, also with the triangular handle, but also the little triangular indentation on the SIDE of the valve. Blue Rhino is not only installing OPD valves, they are installing their OWN proprietary OPD valves, called Tri-Safe II valves. You can identify a TSII valve by the little triangular indentation on the side of the valve. In order to get flow IN to a TS2 valve, a magnetic key must be inserted into the indentation to hold a steel ball out of the way. Thanks to the large network of Ferrellgas and Blue Rhino locations, you’ll never be far away from the fuel you need for your adventures.

But no agency or law regulates the minimum amount of propane that should fill a cylinder. We arranged to have nexAir weigh each of the nine cylinders on its industrial scales. An independent company calibrates the scales twice a day. We took into account each cylinder’s tare weight, the weight of the cylinder itself, in making our calculations.

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“Blue Rhino and AmeriGas conspired to fix the price of propane sold by agreeing to reduce the amount of propane in propane exchange tanks, thereby raising the per-pound price of propane across the country,” the class action lawsuit alleges. In the US, consumers typically use propane exchange tanks for barbecue grills and patio heaters. These propane tanks are sold to its customers to use for their grills, heaters, mosquito magnets, and other types of equipment that use propane gas. Both AmeriGas and Blue Rhino sell propane tanks to stores such as hardware stores, gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores.

Those empty tanks are then sent back to AmeriGas or Blue Rhino, who then refill, refurbish or replace the tanks and return filled tanks to the retailers. Cefo Enterprise alleges that due to an “unlawful conspiracy,” the company “paid artificially inflated and fixed prices for propane in exchange tanks.” Cefo also alleges that the two companies are violating antitrust laws. (WMC TV) – A combination of no minimum weight requirements and propane suppliers’ cost-saving policies is shorting consumers on the amount of propane they’re expecting when they buy or exchange grilling cylinders. What do you do when your 20-pound (5 gallon) propane tank is empty?

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At that same Shell station was one of the exchange tank systems, in this case, Blue Rhino. I have no objection to that company, but know that what Blue Rhino (and others) offer is convenience — not a great price on fuel. Consumers should also check cylinders for their manufacturing dates or “re-test” dates, a month and year etched into the handle. By law, grilling cylinders are supposed to be re-tested and re-certified every 12 years.

There are several reports on the net that the tanks filled by Blue Rhino only have 17.5 lbs of propane, not 20. Or whether this is an OPD phenomenon due to possible void space left in the tank by the float interlock. For liability reasons, if you choose to refill your tank, please remember to remove the plastic sleeve before having it refilled. I was fortunate and noticed on the label on the tank sleeve that the tank was to be refilled by Blue Rhino only. “We provide that amount of propane to help control the volatile cost of propane and other materials within our industry,” said Chris Hartley, vice president of marketing for Blue Rhino. Spokespersons for both companies admitted the 15-pound amount is a cost-saving measure.

Exchanging a propane tank: Pros and cons

“The agreement between Blue Rhino and AmeriGas to maintain a united front against Walmart had the effect of raising the price per pound of propane sold to Walmart, and likely to the ultimate consumers,” the FTC said in a statement. What you save in price by refilling, however, comes with a cost –the biggest being convenience. However, there’s likely a Ferrellgas office near your neighborhood, and our easy-to-use location finder makes it easy to find a store near you. Under the Sherman Act, per se illegal agreements are not strictly limited to agreements on price.

Copyright © 2023 Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, All Rights Reserved. The contents of this website may contain attorney advertising under the laws of various states. The Olive Branch, MS, backyard chef cooks three to four times a week on his gas grill. He meticulously tracks what he cooks each week and how long. The Action News 5 Investigators would have never found out — if we hadn’t been grilling burgers with Richard Rendos. At least they are up front with admitting that under-filling is a cost-saving measure.

Refilling a propane tank: Pros and cons

When you are ready to get rid of an unwanted or expired propane tank, it’s important that you do it the right way to keep everyone safe. Propane tanks can’t be thrown away in your regular trash pickup, but we’re here to make disposal easy. Exchanging your old propane tank for a refilled one is the easiest way to dispose of it, but if you need to get rid of it for good- you can also just drop it off at most propane refill or exchange locations. Backyard grillers who found themselves a little short on flame in recent years may have been burned by Blue Rhino and AmeriGas Cylinder Exchange, the two leading suppliers of propane exchange tanks.

Whether you choose to refill or exchange your propane tank, propane is the best way to keep your summer cooking. Propane is an affordable, easy to use, and efficient fuel that excels in backyard barbecues. Propane provides immediate heat and precise temperature control, which gives you the flexibility to prepare a variety of dishes that would be challenging with other outdoor heat sources. Under the settlements, which were reached in October, Blue Rhino and AmeriGas are barred from agreeing with competitors to modify fill levels or fix the prices of exchange tanks, and from coordinating negotiations with customers.

Blue Rhino and AmeriGas Agree to Settle FTC Claims of Propane Tank Price-Fixing

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 https://cryptolisting.org/blog/how-do-blue-rhino-vs-amerigas-tank-prices-compare propane tank or refill it? When retailers sell propane tanks to customers, the customers bring the tanks back when the tank is empty in exchange for a filled tank.

• Galphin said consumers should inspect the label wrap around the tank – called the “rust belt — to see if moisture has been trapped inside and caused rusting. He said consumers have the option of removing the label to reduce the risk of rust.
• We bought the Blue Rhino and AmeriGas cylinders from random retailers, including home improvement centers, gas stations and drug stores.
• By law, grilling cylinders are supposed to be re-tested and re-certified every 12 years.
• With over 54,000 locations nationwide, find AmeriGas propane at your favorite hardware or home improvement store, convenience store, gas station, and more.