My Tank Will Not Accept PropaneUpdated 6 days ago
"My Tank Won't Fill" (and How to Fix it!)
If a propane refill station says your Gas Growler won’t take propane, fills very slowly, or stops almost immediately, it’s usually not a defect. Smaller tanks can be more sensitive during filling, and the internal fill-safety mechanism can temporarily “lock” if the tank is handled roughly or if the fill process happens too fast.
The good news: this is often resolved in a couple minutes.
Why this happens
Inside the valve is a safety float/mechanism (often referred to loosely as “OPD”) that helps prevent overfilling. On smaller cylinders, it can sometimes hang up due to:
Transit / storage on its side
A drop or hard bump
A refill tech opening valves too fast or out of sequence
When it hangs up, the tank may act like it’s “blocked,” and propane won’t flow in normally.
Step 1: Try the correct fill order (this solves most cases)
Ask the attendant to follow this sequence:
Connect the fill connector to the tank
Turn the pump/dispenser on with the tank valve still CLOSED
Slowly open the tank valve (slow is critical)
Open the bleeder screw
Most “won’t fill” problems happen when the tank valve is opened too quickly.
Step 2: If the valve seems “stuck,” try a gentle float reset
If the cylinder is empty (or nearly empty) and the tank valve is fully CLOSED, you can try one of these simple, non-invasive steps before attempting another fill:
- Option 1: Take the tank to a professional and have them purge it. This will reset the valve and get things working normally again.
- Option 2:Connect your Gas Growler to a camp stove, grill, adapter hose, or similar appliance connection, and then slowly open the tank main valve to help release excess pressure that may have entered during the initial attempt. Close the valve and remove the appliance. The OPD should now be unstuck.
- Option 3: Set the tank on its side on a soft surface (grass, carpet, a towel) and gently roll/rotate it for 1–2 minutes. Stand it upright and gently tip/rock it a few times (upright → slight tip → upright). This can help the internal float/mechanism settle back into position, especially if it got bumped during travel.
Do not do anything forceful or aggressive — no slamming, shaking hard, or dropping.
After resetting the valve, you should be able to take the tank back to your local filler. When doing so, please let them know to fill the tank as slowly as possible—this makes a big difference in ensuring a successful fill.