What You Should Know Before Buying A Propane Tank From Costco

Costco tends to be the place that people go to save money, and that can include saving on propane tanks. While there are plenty of other stores where you can purchase propane tanks like Costco's compact and easy to transport Flame King 30 lb Empty Steel Propane Cylinder, the difference between purchasing one — or a similar brand — from Costco compared to another store becomes more obvious after your purchase. Aside from the common mistakes you're probably making with your propane tank, not considering where you should actually buy your propane tank can be significant.

From pricing to local rules around refilling your propane tank or exchanging it to propane tank inspections and recertification — this being particularly important when considering the inherent dangers of storing an extra propane tank in your shed — there can be a lot to know before making a propane tank purchase from Costco versus somewhere else.

For starters, you'll need a Costco membership in order to enjoy the perks of owning a Costco purchased propane tank. Where cost is concerned, a Costco propane tank is usually more affordable than elsewhere. The aforementioned Flame King 30 lb Empty Steel Propane Cylinder for instance, is currently being sold by the manufacturer, Flame King, for $84.95. Costco, meanwhile, is selling the Flame King tank for $72.99 online – which is often more expensive than their in-warehouse price. That means Costco is actually selling the same tank at a minimum 14% discount from the manufacturer's sales price, but probably even more in-warehouse.

The next thing to consider is refilling your tank. Make sure your local warehouse location actually offers refill services, which can be easily searched on Costco's website under the 'find a warehouse' button, before purchasing your tank in the first place. Usually located by Costco fuel stations, you can drop off your empty tank and receive a receipt that allows you to continue shopping while you wait. While there can be a lot to know before filling your propane tank at Costco, it's important to realize that you'll be paying less across the board for both the tank and the refill gas.

While you can buy a propane tank from Costco at a discounted price, and enjoy generally cheaper and convenient refills, it's important to realize that Costco does not offer exchanges or recertification for your propane tanks. Now, so long as your propane tank is still in good condition this should not be a problem. However, per Foster Fuels, propane tanks under 100 pounds capacity, like the previously mentioned Flame King tank, have a maximum 12 year shelf life from the date of manufacturing. At that point, you will need to either exchange the propane tank for a new one, or have it recertified for an extra five years of service by a store that provides that specific service.

While stores like Ace Hardware offer tank exchanges, generally only propane-specific retailers will offer recertification services. So while there are definitely things you should never buy at Ace Hardware, hardware stores like Ace do have Costco beat when it comes to propane tank exchanges. With that said, knowing about the lifespan of your propane tank means that exchanging shouldn't be an issue for at least a decade or more. So cost and convenience wise, you may still be better off with a Costco propane tank purchase in the long run.