Costco is often the go-to destination for saving money, including on propane tanks. While you can find propane tanks like Costco’s compact and easily transportable Flame King 30 lb Empty Steel Propane Cylinder at various other stores, the benefits of purchasing one from Costco become more apparent post-purchase. Beyond the common mistakes you might make with your propane tank, the choice of where to buy it is crucial.
Factors like pricing, local regulations on refilling or exchanging propane tanks, and the need for inspections and recertification—especially important when storing an extra propane tank in a shed—are vital considerations before purchasing a propane tank from Costco compared to other retailers.
Costco Propane Tank Pricing
First, a Costco membership is required to enjoy the benefits of owning a propane tank purchased there. In terms of cost, Costco’s propane tanks are generally more affordable. For example, the Flame King 30 lb Empty Steel Propane Cylinder is currently priced at $84.95 by the manufacturer, Flame King. However, Costco offers it for $72.99 online, which is often more expensive than the in-store price. Thus, Costco provides at least a 14% discount from the manufacturer’s price, potentially even more in-store.
Next, consider refilling your tank. Verify if your local Costco warehouse offers refill services by using the ‘find a warehouse’ feature on Costco’s website before purchasing your tank. Typically located near Costco fuel stations, you can drop off your empty tank and get a receipt to continue shopping while waiting. While there’s much to learn about filling your propane tank at Costco, you’ll generally pay less for both the tank and the refill gas.
Exchanging or Recertifying Your Propane Tank
Although you can buy a discounted propane tank from Costco and enjoy cheaper, convenient refills, it’s important to note that Costco does not offer exchanges or recertification for propane tanks. As long as your tank is in good condition, this shouldn’t be an issue. According to Foster Fuels, propane tanks under 100 pounds, like the Flame King tank, have a 12-year shelf life from the manufacturing date. After that, you’ll need to exchange the tank for a new one or have it recertified for an additional five years by a store offering such services.
While Ace Hardware provides tank exchanges, typically only propane-specific retailers offer recertification. So, although there are items you should avoid buying at Ace Hardware, the store surpasses Costco in terms of propane tank exchanges. Nonetheless, considering the lifespan of your propane tank means that exchanging shouldn’t be necessary for at least a decade. Thus, cost and convenience-wise, a Costco propane tank purchase may still be advantageous in the long run.
“`
