Propane Refill vs. Exchange: Save More in Concord
You're Paying More Than You Need To at the Grocery Store
If you've been swapping your BBQ tank at a Blue Rhino kiosk outside the grocery store, you're probably paying $25–$30 and getting back a tank that's only filled to about 15 pounds — not the full 20 lbs your cylinder holds. Refilling at a propane station puts more gas in your tank for less money.
Refill vs. Exchange: What's the Difference?
Tank exchange programs are convenient, but they've quietly shrunk the fill level over the years. A standard 20 lb BBQ cylinder can hold 20 lbs of propane — exchange programs typically fill to 15 lbs and charge a premium for the service. When you refill your own tank, you pay by the gallon and you get a full fill. At current rates, a full 20 lb refill at a dedicated propane station runs significantly less than a Blue Rhino swap.
Beyond the cost, refilling keeps your own tank in the rotation. Exchange programs take your cylinder and give you a random one back — sometimes older, sometimes with a valve that doesn't seat as cleanly as yours.
What We Fill at Super Station Concord
- BBQ and grill tanks — standard 20 lb cylinders, plus smaller 1 lb and larger 30 lb tanks
- RV cylinders — 30 lb and 40 lb tanks used for onboard appliances and heaters
- Food truck and catering cylinders — high-volume fills for commercial operators
- Forklift tanks — common 33 lb cylinders used in warehouses and job sites
Q: Can I refill a tank I bought at a hardware store?
Yes. As long as the cylinder is within its requalification date (stamped on the collar — cylinders are good for 12 years, then need to be retested), we can fill it. We'll check the date and the valve before we fill. If it's out of date, we'll let you know — no charge for the inspection.
Come See Us on Monument Blvd
We've been refilling propane cylinders at 1650 Monument Blvd in Concord since 1990. It's a quick stop — pull up, we weigh the tank, fill it, and you're back on the road in a few minutes. Walk-ins welcome during business hours. We serve customers from Concord, Pleasant Hill, Clayton, and across the East Bay.
Questions about tank size or whether yours is in date? Call us at (925) 685-0101 before you make the trip.