I had posted this information on the Appliances forum in a thread about gas grills. Thought I would post it here as well for reference. Failed to properly install and inspect customers’ underground propane system lines. A Class of direct purchasers—such as auto repair shops and home improvement stores—had previously reached a $12.6 million settlement agreement with AmeriGas and Blue Rhino in 2019. Copyright © 2023 Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, All Rights Reserved. The contents of this website may contain attorney advertising under the laws of various states.

I sure hope to get it up and running before freezing weather gets here. I’m looking forward to enjoying it again soon since I didn’t get to last winter due to our move. When faced with resistance from Wal-Mart, the two companies secretly agreed to coordinate their negotiations, pressuring the retailer to accept the reduced fill level. AmeriGas is the largest propane supplier in the nation, and we partner with top retailers in your neighborhood to make getting propane easy. Propane bottles should only be filled to about 90% of full.

AmeriGas, Blue Rhino Accused of Selling Underfilled Propane Tanks in Class Actions

10lb tank holds 10 lbs of propane, 20 lb tank holds 20 lbs of propane, 30 lb tank holds 30 lbs of propane. 20 lb tanks are more commonly known as BBQ size tanks. These cylinders are meant to hold 20 lbs of propane @ 80% of the tanks capacity. Blue Rhino is most certainly ‘short-filling’ their amerigas vs blue rhino tanks to line their already bulging pockets. Also, Blue Rhino puts a plastic ‘sleeve’ around its tanks which advocates rapid rusting resulting in an ugly and sometimes unsafe cylinder. I was in a hurry and did a tank swap at Walmart recently, which is supplied Blue Rhino in the DFW area.

When you exchange, check the valve areas for blue or green residue. Meth cooks are buying propane tanks and emptying, then filling them with anhydrous ammonia and it weakens the tank structure. Just something to look for when you go get a tank. If you have a farmers co-op around there, they will generally have the ability to refill propane tanks.

These 5 gallon tanks are what come with the typical outdoor grill and also on many campers. We need four tanks to run our large patio BBQ, our patio Weber Q, our patio stove, and one of our fire pits. The three tanks in the picture are our backups when a tank runs out of gas. As for this new ‘magnetic valve’, I have only seen a few up in MA over the past 10 years. I empty the cylinder, and replace it with a fully functional OPD valve , this way it can be refilled wherever the rightful owner of the tank wants it to be refilled.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Take a bottle of water with you to the refilling station. When the tank is full, pour the water down the side of the tank. “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. “The Gibson tanks were right on mark,” said Galphin.

Finally, if you are dissatisfied with a Blue Rhino tank, please return it to the store for a refund or replacement. These are strictly my opinions and observations. 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.

While overblown and unlikely, I would just refill my tank. Many nursey locations have a propane fill station. Content Policy Privacy Policy User Agreement © 2023 Reddit, Inc.

One other thing you should know about Blue Rino is that they don’t fill the tanks to their designed capacity. They clearly state on the label that the net weight is 17#, however these are 20# tanks and they can be safely filled to this capacity or very close to it. They will tell you that they can only fill to no more than 80% capacity https://cryptolisting.org/ and this is a true statement. 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. I recently bought a Weber Q 100 grill and Weber 6501 adapter hose for use with 20 lb.

Spokespersons for both companies admitted the 15-pound amount is a cost-saving measure. But no agency or law regulates the minimum amount of propane that should fill a cylinder. “One tank we’ll put in, and we won’t even get through with grilling one full meal out here,” said Rendos. “Another tank I put in will last me two or three weeks.” 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.

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The judge overseeing the multidistrict litigation ruled the indirect purchasers—who bought the propane tanks for home use, including barbecue grills and outdoor heaters—failed to show predominant, common legal issues. A group of propane tank purchasers who alleged AmeriGas and Blue Rhino pressured retailers to sell underfilled tanks for full price failed to get Class certification for claims they overpaid for gas. Also, Blue Rhino fills its propane tanks to 17 lbs. This is because national fire codes prohibit filling tanks to their designed capacity, for safety reasons.

There are several methods of recertification and it is too lengthy a subject to get into regarding the different methods of recertification and timelines for each type . Try and find someone locally who is licensed to rectify tanks — it usually isn’t easy — and there is a cost of course. To ensure our consumers are properly notified, Blue Rhino clearly marks the amount of propane contained in our tanks, right on the package. Blue Rhino also notes the amount of propane contained in our tanks on our display signs. Our IP team combines top-notch technical and legal knowledge.

Blue Rino used to have a magnetic valve inside the thing so only someone with the proper magnetic “Key” could re-fill them.. The tanks are indeed the same, the valve was different, I do not know if they still do it that way or not. When businesses are involved, working with a commercial litigation team is your best option. Our legal team is experienced, professional, and ready to help. If you prefer to have a Blue Rhino with a standard OPD valve , simply check the valve. The retail store will allow you to pick the Blue Rhino tank you want.

You just pay for the gas and get the tank you want. From what I have read, some BR tanks have the same type of safety feature valve BUT they have an extra valve that requires a strong magnet to open to be able to refill them. So if you have an old tank or two, just run them through a tank exchange place and get the legal tanks, from there it makes no difference.

Get your Propane Tank Delivered Right to You

I just checked both Blue Rhino and Amerigas tanks. Both clearly state on the front, “Net Weight 15 lbs.”. On the other hand, I have never had a problem with Blue Rhino.

• Check the Blue Rhino sign again……they only put 17 pounds of propane in your 20 pound tank….they underfill it, too.
• While overblown and unlikely, I would just refill my tank.
• The new OPD valves are designed to prevent overfilling (no more than 80%), but the tanks can generally be filled with much more than 17#.
• Approved cylinders must have triangular valves with “OPD” etched on them.
• I just took it to one of those tank exchange places and got a new BR tank already filled for $18.
• You can use our Location Finder to find local retailers who sell AmeriGas propane.

I want to exchange in the two tanks I have now for some someplace that don’t have proprietary valves. It’s a bit cheaper than going out and buying new tanks and having them filled. Plus it’ll get rid of these two old tanks I don’t want or need. Aha, they used to put in 17 pounds until 10 years ago; and that was almost 3 pounds less than a full cylinder. The sad part is very few people even know they are buying an exchange tank that is only 75% full.

If you think you and others may have a class action claim, give us a call.

Query whether certain trade association activities could become susceptible to FTC scrutiny in the future. The problem I found with that is some of the places have filled only fill it half way. There’s no obvious “full” blinking light that goes off and you are paying a flat rate not by the cubic foot or whatever it is. I’ve gotten tanks home before and using the very inexact weight gauge on my Weber it tells me I have a half full tank and it certainly seems to run out faster. I go to Lowes or someplace like that because I have faith that it’s a tank in decent condition and it’s actually full.

20 LB tanks can not be filled to a 20 LB capacity. They are not permitted to be filled over 80% capacity due to the possibility for propane to contract and expand. 3- A tank designed and certified by the government as a 20 lb tank should accept a fill for the full 20 lbs. If you pay for 20 lbs don’t get 20 lbs, you are getting ripped off and that company is unscrupulously profiteering out of your wallet. 1- Refilling may be done at many service stations, garden/nursery center, etc. This is likely to be closer to your home than an exchange location like blue rhino.

In November 2020, Defendant AmeriGas agreed to settle the class-action claims. The Court gave its initial approval to the settlement, and the Claims Period opened on January 6, 2021. A 20 lb tank is designed to hold 20 pounds of propane when filled to 80% according to the most basic training.

That seems funny, I never click “About” unless I am an unhappy customer trying to get a hold of someone to resolve a problem. I have never built a website before, so this is a learning experience. You did not purchase the tank for the purpose of reselling them to consumers. Our Consumer Protection lawyers believe in holding companies accountable for harm. Starting with a free case review, we’ll be with you every step of the way to help you recover the compensation you deserve.

If the valve is either circular or flower-shaped, it is an illegal cylinder. Even with Gibson’s cylinders, each right on the money at 20 pounds, a consumer still has to drive to the company’s warehouse to get that accurate fill. We arranged to have nexAir weigh each of the nine cylinders on its industrial scales.