Does Costco Refill Propane Tanks? What To Know

By Hayden Ortiz

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Costco is a popular retail chain that offers a wide range of products and services to its customers, including various home and automotive services.

If you are looking to go camping or maybe you are planning an outdoor cookout, you may be asking if Costco can refill (or exchange) your propane tank to get your empty tank filled up and ready to go.

Well, if you are asking this question, you’re not alone as we have noticed an uptick in Costco customers, especially first-time shoppers, looking to get answers to this particular question.

Many Costco locations offer propane refilling services, which can be a convenient option for those who use propane for camping, grilling, or other purposes. However, it’s important to note that not all Costco locations offer propane refills, so it’s a good idea to check with your local store before heading out.

In this article, we will take a look at propane tank refills at Costco. Can you buy a filled propane tank online at Costco? How much do propane refills cost at Costco? Let’s find out!

Can You Refill Your Propane Tank at Costco?

Costco offers propane refill services at many of its locations in the United States and Canada.

To be sure that your local Costco store provides propane refill services, we recommend contacting them ahead of your visit to confirm and find out the hours when refills are available.

Just like other items sold at Costco, the store also accepts all of their accepted payment methods for propane refills so you don’t need any specific payment method to get your tank refilled at Costco.

Can You Order Propane from Costco Online?

Unfortunately, Costco does not offer online ordering for propane due to safety regulations.

Propane refills must be done physically at any of their locations in your area. It is not possible to have propane tanks delivered to your home or business via Costco’s website or other delivery services like Instacart.

To find a Costco location in your area, visit the Costco warehouse locator page on their official website. Enter your state, city, or zip code, and you should see a list of nearby warehouses. Once you have found a location, simply bring your empty propane tank to the store and an attendant will refill it for you.

It is important to note that prices for propane refills at Costco can vary depending on location, demand, and time of year. However, they are generally competitive with other propane refill stations in the area.

How To Refill Your Propane Tank At Costco (Guide)

Refilling your propane tank at Costco is a straightforward process and here is how to get your propane tank refilled at any Costco location.

  1. Enter any Costco store that offers propane tank refills and take your propane tank to the propane area.
  2. Alert the attention of available employees and they will fill your tank and give you a ticket.
  3. Next, walk over to the Tire Center in that Costco location and pay for your propane using the ticket you were given earlier. Keep in mind that there may be a queue, so be prepared to wait.
  4. Finally, return to the propane area to retrieve your filled propane tank. It’s that simple!

To make the process even smoother, consider bringing your empty propane tank with you when you go to Costco. This way, you won’t have to make an extra trip just to drop off your tank.

How Much Do Propane Refills Typically Cost at Costco?

Propane tank refills are a common service offered by Costco. They are known for offering some of the cheapest propane tank refills in the United States and Canada.

According to our research, the cost to refill a propane tank at Costco typically ranges from $2.00 to $4.00 per gallon, depending on the location, demand, and time of year.

For example, a typical 20-pound propane tank holds about 4.6 gallons of propane. At $3.00 per gallon, the cost to fill a 20-pound propane tank would be $13.80. However, the actual cost will depend on how much propane is needed to fill the tank and the current price of propane.

Costco’s prices are generally lower than the national average. Customers can save money by refilling their propane tanks at Costco instead of exchanging them for new ones.

Does Costco Exchange Propane Tanks?

Costco does not offer propane tank exchange at all locations, but some locations will accept to exchange your tank in place of a refill.

However, we generally recommend contacting the store ahead of your visit to find out if they offer this service. However, almost all Costco stores will accept an expired tank for exchange.

When exchanging a propane tank at Costco, it is important to note that the exchange is for a pre-filled tank. The exchange is not for a refill of an existing tank. The price for the exchange will vary depending on the location and current propane prices.

It is important to note that not all propane tanks are eligible for exchange. Costco inspects propane tanks before they will refill or exchange them.

They will inspect for various imperfections. If the propane tank has too many of those issues, then it is not safe to refill or exchange the propane tank. If that is the case, you will need to purchase a new propane tank and properly dispose of your old tank.

Wrapping Up

In conclusion, Costco is a great option for propane tank refills. Most Costco warehouses offer this service, and the prices are generally competitive.

Memberships are required to use this service, but it is worth the investment for frequent grilling enthusiasts. Additionally, Costco is a reliable source for purchasing propane tanks and accessories.

While Costco is a convenient option, it is important to note that a few locations do not offer propane tank refills. In those cases, customers may need to consider other options such as Amerigas, Blue Rhino, Ace Hardware, Walmart, or Dollar General.

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Hayden Ortiz

Hayden is the co-founder of TheValueShopper. He is someone who loves grocery runs and spent 20 years of his career in the retail and consumer service industry. As our senior editor, Hayden primarily focuses on managing this website and providing answers to as many shopping-related queries as he can possible find with in-depth articles and additional videos where necessary.