Now’s the Perfect Time to Switch to a Refillable Propane Tank

This law aims to reduce the waste from millions of single-use canisters discarded annually. According to The International Association of Fire & Rescue Services (CTIF), approximately 4-7 million of the single use cylinders are sold each year in the state.

As of January 2025, propane costs $2.57 per gallon in California. This might be the sign you’ve been waiting for to finally switch to a larger-capacity refillable propane tank—no more lugging around multiple half-empty bottles that rattle with every bump in the road. Whether you’re tackling light off-roading or hitting that stretch of rough pavement you always tell yourself to avoid, the constant clanging can be enough to drive anyone crazy… or is that just me?

Although we are a couple years away from the law going into effect, companies like REI are getting ahead of the game by launching an exchange program in response. The company has been testing the program at four key Bay Area stores and will soon roll out to around 50 locations in other parts of the state and in the Denver area.

How It Works: Customers will have the opportunity to buy a refillable cylinder for $22 and once used, exchange the empties for a refilled one at $10.

REI will continue selling disposable propane canisters until the law takes effect, but views this new program as a proactive approach to promoting sustainability. Sports Basement also has their own exchange program that was launched in 2017, offering free refills for members and $2 refills for non-members.

Upfront costs may vary, but on paper, these types of exchange programs look to save the customer money over time and are great for the environment. It will be interesting to see which other outdoor stores follow suit in the coming years.

Determining Which Size Propane Tank To Buy
If you are deadset on packing refillable one-pound propane cylinders, companies like Flame King and Little Kamper have you covered. But for myself, switching to a 10lb propane tank was a small upgrade, with the largest impact on overlanding trips.

In the buying process, it’s important to identify how you plan to use propane during your trips and take into account the durations of your expeditions. Analyzing your current gear such as your camp kitchen stoves, grills, fire pits, and knowing their BTU rating is important. Higher BTU appliances will burn through propane faster, resulting in a shorter burn time. 

To estimate burn time, divide the total BTU capacity of the tank by the BTU rating of your appliance. For example, propane contains roughly 91,500 BTUs per gallon and a 10lb tank holds around 2.4 gallons of propane. If a camp stove uses 20,000 BTU per hour, the tank would last about 11 hours of continuous use.

Best Practices
Properly storing your propane tanks during transportation is crucial for safety, especially when integrating them into your vehicle setup. Here are some best practices: 

- Always transport your tanks in an upright position to ensure the safety of the valve and reduce the chance of damage and unwanted leaks.

- Securing the tank with exterior mounting on the vehicle is recommended to promote ventilation and prevent gas accumulation inside the vehicle. The rear of the vehicle mounting position is also a popular choice, yet increases the safety concern in the event of a rear-end collision.

- Ensure the valve is fully closed when the tank is not in use.

- When not in use, outdoor storage in a well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight is recommended.

Propane Tank Mounts 
There are countless tank mounting options available, varying in size to accommodate different propane tank dimensions. Below are some of my favorite mounting options I’ve encountered throughout the years.

American Adventure Lab

Lightweight 10LB Propane Tank Mount
MSRP: $155.00 – $195.00

63 Industries

11 Pound Propane Tank Mount
MSRP: $149.99

Front Runner

Gas/Propane Bottle Holder
MSRP: $199.00

Preece Precision

Stainless Steel Propane Tank Bracket (sold on Amazon)
MSRP: $49.95

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