Filling The Ignik Gas GrowlerUpdated 6 days ago
Filling (& Refilling) Your Ignik Gas Growler
Refilling your Gas Growler is quick and easy—just like filling a standard BBQ tank, but smaller and more portable. Take it to any propane refill station (U-Haul, hardware store, farm store, propane dealer, etc.) and you’ll be back on the road in a few minutes.
Before you go (30-second checklist)
✅ Bring only the tank (you don’t need the 4' adapter hose for filling; some refillers may require you to remove the tank from the case)
✅ Transport the cylinder upright
✅ Make sure the main cylinder valve is fully closed before handing it over.
✅ Head to a propane refill station
Good to know: Gas Growlers are designed to be refilled at propane stations and comply with DOT cylinder specs (so they’re legal to transport like other refillable propane cylinders).
What to tell the propane attendant -
Some attendants just don’t see 3.8 lb / 5 lb / 10 lb cylinders as often—this script helps a ton:
“This is a DOT refillable propane cylinder, that is Pre-Purged. Please fill it like a standard cylinder. Important: Connect the fill hose first, then open the filling control, then slowly open the cylinder valve, and open the bleed valve last.”
That specific valve sequence matters because these compact cylinders have overfill safety features and can be harder to fill if the process is rushed or done out of order.
Standard fill steps (for the refill station)
Recommended: let trained refill staff do this.
If the station asks for the basic steps, here’s the correct sequence:
Connect the station fill hose securely to the cylinder fitting.
Open the station filling control FIRST.
Slowly open the cylinder valve NEXT.
Open the bleed valve LAST (this is a fixed liquid level gauge used during filling).
Fill until:
By weight: the cylinder reaches its correct filled weight (best method), or
By bleed valve: vapor/mist is normal; the fill is complete when the correct fill level is reached per the station’s standard procedure.
Close in reverse order: bleed valve → cylinder valve → station control, then disconnect and leak-check.
How much propane does my Gas Growler hold?
Gas Growler 3.8: holds 3.8 lb (0.9 gal)
Gas Growler 5: holds 5 lb (1.2 gal)
Gas Growler 10: holds 10 lb (2.5 gal)
Tip: Some stations prefer filling by weight. Your cylinder has a stamped TW (tare weight) on the collar/handle area—your attendant can use that plus the propane capacity above.
Troubleshooting (most common issues)
“It won’t take propane” or “it stops filling right away”
This is usually caused by filling too fast or doing the valve order incorrectly. Ask the attendant to:
Open the cylinder valve slowly (slow is the secret).
If this is done incorrectly, the Overfill Protection (OPD) can be accidentally tripped and get stuck. To reset the OPD check out this article - "My Tank Will Not Accept Propane"
“They told me they won’t fill it”
Try a different location (propane dealers/farm stores tend to be fastest), and show them the “What to tell the attendant” script above. This is a DOT refillable cylinder the comes "Pre-Purged" and is filled using standard propane station filling methods.
“I smell propane after filling”
A faint smell can happen briefly right after disconnecting. If you ever suspect a leak:
Move the cylinder outdoors, away from flames/ignition sources.
Ensure the valve is fully closed.
Contact Ignik Support if the smell continues.