Can You Refill A Butane Cartridge With LPG or Propane?

Рет қаралды 70,897

3 жыл бұрын

In this video we explore whether you can refill a butane cartridge with LPG (Liquid Petroleum Gas) or Propane, and more importantly why you should not do it.
The charging adapter I used: s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_9Jl4Us
Fellow backyard scientists, make sure to get the correct LPG bottle thread connector for your region.
Can anyone comment on what thread type larger butane gas bottles have, or is it POL?
Where can I buy bulk butane in Australia?
Again I don't recommend experimenting with this at all.
Update I was told the propane percentage I buy is closer to 90%, so something to keep in mind for fellow experimenters, Wikipedia and FixTechStuff are not the most reliable sources for information, do your own research and remember safety first.
Update 2 Further testing with the butane torch running non chilled LPG, turning it right up did indeed increase the flame, I am not sure why there is an obvious discrepancy in my video. Further testing at night, the flame was massive, although unstable with wind or other fire starving it of oxygen. Again it was not designed to run on higher pressure LPG.
Update 3 Non chilled cartridges filled to about 200 grams will slowly leak down. A future video might be in order.
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Пікірлер: 113

@FixTechStuff 3 жыл бұрын

*Make sure to check out part 2 for further important information.* Also be safe! kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nc2GZqmCl5bZqKM.html *If you are going to post comments like "never do this" or ridicule me, I will delete your comment and hide you from my channel* I make it perfectly clear in both videos in this series that you should not do it! Thanks, please enjoy, think outside the box, prove things to yourself and experiment safely!!! Also read the description for further safety information and updates!

@jsplasha 2 жыл бұрын

The definition for LPG varies. Here, legally LPG can be any combination of butane, propane, or any of its isomers or combinations of which. So even pure propane can be called LPG and so can pure butane and so can a mix that has neither

@FixTechStuff 2 жыл бұрын

Yeah well put. This I discovered after the Wikipedia article was edited and with a bit more research in part 2.

@OsmanKErol Жыл бұрын

I've refilled many many times my cardridges with LPG (30% propane 70% butane composition) and never had an issue. I care for cardridges comforming to EN417 standard. Sometimes some stove's safety feature triggers. I do the same thing, I put the newly refilled cardridges into refrigerator and then no problem. When it starts without problem, it will not pose problem during use since it further cools down when you withdraw gas from the cardridge. As the cardridge empties, the pression drops and I can skip the refrigerator phase. I never use it until the end in order to eliminate pressure-no pressure-pressure-no pressure cycles that may cause metal fatigue. I always keep my cardridges under pressure. You may discard them after some time. Since this procedure may pose risks if not properly done, It is your own risk to try it.

@klyddmeisters Жыл бұрын

30/70 are the right mixture of these cans. But LPG contains up to 100% propane in cold contries and therefore it is not safe to refill in these cans. In spain and other warm places they often have more butane in their LPG because its cheaper bute here in sweden our LPG (gasol) contains about 95% propane. In direct sunlight with a temperature of about 50-60 degree celcius there are a much higher pressure with propane. At wintercamping it is perfect to refill cv470 with propane, but dont forget to empty the cans later.

@hajiradenahmadshauki2155 3 жыл бұрын

Thank you everybody for all these insightful observations. I guess the lesson to be learned here is to refill LPG tanks with LPG only and butane canisters with butane gas only with the condition that only strictly refillable tanks or canisters are to be used at all times. I have a small refillable LPG tank for camping that I bought empty at a camping supply store (al-Sanidi) in Saudi Arabia and then have it filled with LPG at a gas filling centre over there. In other countries however there are no legal LPG refill centres and empty tanks should be exchanged with legally filled ones as per local regulations.

@FixTechStuff 3 жыл бұрын

Well said. Yes a small LPG tank is a much better idea. I have another video coming soon on this subject. 👍🏼

@hmm5594 2 жыл бұрын

@@FixTechStuff can we use png gas to refill butane canister

@FixTechStuff 2 жыл бұрын

@@hmm5594 Very good question, I would need to read more about that. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PNG_Gas

@hmm5594 2 жыл бұрын

@@FixTechStuff Thanks for reply

@hmm5594 2 жыл бұрын

@@FixTechStuff can we refill it from PNG 🤨

@jonathaningram4672 Жыл бұрын

I wondered about the primary canister pressure level versus the intended target canister plus overfill. Would be interesting if they stuck a pressure gauge on it to monitor refill.

@FixTechStuff Жыл бұрын

Yeah, I have this in mind for one final video on the subject.

@bn6128 Жыл бұрын

Hi, I have an old camping stove which requires a cartridge 143mm height. Has anyone seen where I can purchase this size?

@mmmddd4366 Жыл бұрын

If you're packing light this could be very handy. Micro butane stove and log in a 220 can instead of 1lb bottle plus connector. Lpg is less worse to breathe

@FixTechStuff Жыл бұрын

yeah. you could even carry 2 or 3 can and it'll pack flat and more conveniently too. I wouldn't use either in an enclosed space.

@r.j.m4245 Жыл бұрын

1,38$ in Australia and 5$ in Bulgaria per bottle,

@bashintosh 3 жыл бұрын

Do you think you can use the cartridge to refill butane torch lighters? Seems like the nozzle/nipple in the cartridge may be used to refill torch style lighters by just flipping the cartridge upside down and bringing the nipple to the fill point of the lighter and depressing the cartridge hoping some gas gets in. Just a crazy idea lol

@FixTechStuff 3 жыл бұрын

Yeah it is a good idea. If it doesn’t work, I would bet AliExpress has just the adapter.😁

@philiptong4978 3 жыл бұрын

it has been done by using adapters sourced from lighter butane refill cans

@adama1294 Жыл бұрын

Propane hast a higher pressure than butane so you can put butane into stuff designed for propane but not propane into butane containers.

@ericcheng5766 3 жыл бұрын

What is the safety feature that prevent it from using it? Why did freezing work? Once frozen, will it work again when it reaches room temperature?

@FixTechStuff 3 жыл бұрын

I am not sure of the exact safety feature, it has a specifically tensioned spring, it would not let me lock the canister in unless I drained some gas out. If I forced it, gas would not come out. Freezing lowers the pressure. Outside of the video I cooked with it, afterwards it had less pressure and worked as normal. Other bottles I left alone self drained over time and worked normally also. In an emergency situation half filling one might be a good option, but not for everyday use… too dangerous! I might revisit this later with a pressure gauge. Be careful if you experiment with gas!

@olmeijer67 2 жыл бұрын

Butane pressure at 20C is 1,2 bar. Propane at 20degr. C is 7 bar. It is very dsngerous in these thin cans.

@AS-ug2vq 2 жыл бұрын

@@olmeijer67 the canister is rated for 8 bar with brust pressure of 10 bar. There are two kind of cans, one is sold with high proportion of propane and one with only butane. Higher propane version is for blow torch and lower propane one is for camping stove.

@gort3969 2 жыл бұрын

What about the crv safety cans? It does say "do not refill" as well but probably because they want you to buy new ones

@FixTechStuff 2 жыл бұрын

The gasmate cans are CRV (Countersink release vent), even if they don't display the logo. I believe every brand of can I have found in Australia has those same safety features.

@deltab9768 7 ай бұрын

I know that (at least in the USA) there’s a legal/safety standard for refillable fuel cylinders and it’s different from the one for disposable cylinders.

@daphnelhunt 3 жыл бұрын

It would be a great thing if empty cans can be sent back to the manufacturer to either: 1. After testing properly, refill them if they are safe. OR 2. Reusing/recycling the material back into new cans.

@FixTechStuff 3 жыл бұрын

Yes, I completely agree.

@daphnelhunt 3 жыл бұрын

@@FixTechStuff I can also add that my city recycling program accepts aerasol cans (paint, hairspray, cooking oil, etc) as long as they are empty.

@lvstream720 2 жыл бұрын

@@daphnelhunt I reuse aersol cans with different product. Like Windex, insect killer mixture, WD40 from gallon to a spray can etc.

@pavel9652 Жыл бұрын

It isn't economical. He said, most of such canisters are produced in SK, so expect a long shipping. I noticed all my canisters were from SK, but thought it might be a coincidence.

@spidy278 Жыл бұрын

Sorry bro one more question, when you refill, is the can feel warm or cold. I got the proper connection now but when refill, the can getting warm.

@FixTechStuff Жыл бұрын

Hadn't done this experiment for a while so had to check, in the part 2 video I say: "As the gas starts filling the can becomes cold. When it’s near full the top half of the can warms back up to about room temperature." So it didn't actually get warmer for me. Keep in mind if you do this experiment in summer the can will have higher pressure than in winter, it will also be warmer. I personally would not try this if the weather temperature was 30c or 86f or higher. Make sure you watch part 2 for important updated information I wasn't aware of for part 1.

@daijoubu4529 Жыл бұрын

Kovea makes an iso/propane mix in those flat cannisters

@FixTechStuff Жыл бұрын

Interesting, what are those canisters called?

@spidy278 2 жыл бұрын

i got that refill adaptor but it does not fit to 9kg gas bottle outlet. The tip of the adapter too small, so just wondering where did you buy those adapter?

@FixTechStuff 2 жыл бұрын

I'm guessing they are different by country. It may be that it doesn't come in the correct thread because it isn't supposed to fit propane bottles. Mine had the wrong thread and I changed the end over to POL using a spare connector I had.

@spidy278 2 жыл бұрын

@@FixTechStuff im in australia too, but the bottle i got was from BCF 9.5kg so not exactly 9K like yours there, but you still have trouble LOL. Its hard because that adapter from china, not aussie standard

@FixTechStuff 2 жыл бұрын

@@spidy278 Yeah, as I said if you can swap the threaded part over with another one. I think mine is using the original nipple part and the threaded nut is from something else. Not sure if it was a cheap bunnings one, but it should work. Just needs to be able to squarely push down on the nipple. And again I don't recommend doing it at all, it just could be handy in a survival situation if someone needs to boil water or cook food.

@spidy278 2 жыл бұрын

@@FixTechStuff thanks bro

@bussunsns 3 жыл бұрын

You can convert the portable gas stove to 2 in 1 stove (lpg and butane)

@jasvein05 2 жыл бұрын

How?

@B0X2002 2 жыл бұрын

Yea how ?

@eemjay21alas71 3 жыл бұрын

Hi may i ask where can i buy an adapter like yours... Thanks

@FixTechStuff 3 жыл бұрын

AliExpress. Check the link in the description.

@FixTechStuff 3 жыл бұрын

@Solo Aussie Off Grid Living Yes indeed. Excess pressure will slowly leak out.

@STho205 2 жыл бұрын

I wish they were $1.30 Aus in the US ....about $1...however they're 3.50. Typically you overpressurized it, since the pressure difference between can and Propane bottle is very high so equilibrium is high pressure. Just a second or two with the tap on is best. Both games, when flowing burn similarly, but the stove has a pressure sensing safety valve. Noble gas laws reduced pressure with Temperature.

@FixTechStuff 2 жыл бұрын

That is costly! I'm guessing with the current world state we will see prices increase, a low cost LPG burner might be something worth investing in. I have a 3rd video planned, so I might look at making an adapter with a pressure gauge and or regulator for that one.

@STho205 2 жыл бұрын

@@FixTechStuff the pocket rocket, isobutane squat can backpackers camp stove (the tiny one) was offered in the states last year in a large retail store with an included adapter for the litre (1 lb) Coleman camp gas green propane cans. Too bad I already had the stove ($8 US) because the stove+adapter+dittybag was 12USD. The adapter alone on Amazon is $8 to 12. I've been told they work just fine with the bigger can, if you twist it down to reduce pressure flow. The squat 250g disposable isobutane cans are $6+US here, with the 110g at $5. It's odd considering the US produced more naturalgas than any other nation on earth. 3.5 trillion cu ft. However our media liked to imply we are dependent on Canadian and other imports...which amount to 360Million cuft (pardon my measures but that's from my memory in the natural gas business here)

@FixTechStuff 2 жыл бұрын

@@STho205 That's a cheap stove! Yes very odd that the prices are so high, I had no idea.

@STho205 2 жыл бұрын

@@FixTechStuff I used to use alcohol stoves, but that $8 knock off tiny butane one made them seem silly. Car camping I use a Coleman propane stove, as I can recharge the full liter can with $.70 of propane in my BBQ tank. I, like you, find the waste of these disposable cans to be silly...when they could be refilled at a gas supplier for 59cents if they only built them for that

@FixTechStuff 2 жыл бұрын

@@STho205 Yes there should be a better option, like small refillable LPG tank the same size as the butane canisters.

@MarkJoshuaOlimon 3 жыл бұрын

How long it will going to take to refill? Is that 30 seconds is in max knob?

@FixTechStuff 3 жыл бұрын

Yes it was a full 9KG LPG bottle with both taps fully opened, note that I overfilled them which is why it didn't work at first, so 25 seconds (or less) might have been better.

@sevenjohn9565 2 жыл бұрын

So if propane has higher pressure why don't some one make this adaptor with a pressure reducer or is there a pressure reducer that we could add to this Propane to Butane adaptor.

@FixTechStuff 2 жыл бұрын

There are dual fuel camp stoves (not available in Australia yet) that accept butane canisters, but also have a hose that goes to a propane bottle. I assume when it screws on it just disables the safety mechanism rather than regulates it, as propane works normally in this kind of stove and isn't unsafe. But I am sure hose a specialised regulator would also be possible.

@bestplayercan5333 3 жыл бұрын

bro you can upload a video abot butan small gass stove rifilling video plz

@FixTechStuff 3 жыл бұрын

Which one? The short fat bottle? I have a video on it coming soon

@hmm5594 2 жыл бұрын

@@FixTechStuff can we use refilled butane gas can to refill lighter 🥺

@FixTechStuff 2 жыл бұрын

@@hmm5594 I will try to do some tests for a 3rd video on this subject.

@BikolanongLayas21 Жыл бұрын

Hundreds of thousand truckers use that camper butane one use only.. Then we throw it away.. Damngg hope there is a recycling way to do it..

@FixTechStuff Жыл бұрын

Yeah this bothers me too, I hate single use. Also I'm sure these cans aren't recyclable because they might have gas left in them.

@anascottwelding1761 Жыл бұрын

CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME. I have purchased the same decanter device as yours. How ever doing exactly what you have, my can will only fill 55 grams and then no more gas goes in. How did you get it to take over 200gr ? My main 9kg bottle was completely full. Thanks ahead of time

@FixTechStuff Жыл бұрын

Can you confirm that gas comes out if you carefully turn the cap with no canister on it? It may be possible your canisters are somehow different and may have a protection device built in to them.

@anascottwelding1761 Жыл бұрын

@@FixTechStuff yes gas comes out. It fills for about 5s. Then the pressure makes it stop or equalise?. It doesn't make sense. Does your let out the gas space in the empty can while it is filling?

@FixTechStuff Жыл бұрын

@@anascottwelding1761 Are you refilling from a full 9KG bottle, and the 9KG bottle is upside down? If so it should work the same as mine, if not there is something different about the canister.

@gogobadr27 2 ай бұрын

Put the big gas tank in your room for 30 minutes so the gas inside the tank is not cold or hot & freeze the small can for 20 minutes then refill it in one shot. Simple.

@ericencabo6725 2 жыл бұрын

good day!whats the name of your gadget?

@FixTechStuff 2 жыл бұрын

"Butane charging adapter". It's available on AliExpress (the link is in the description), although its intended purpose is filling a butane canister with butane (which is safer than what I was doing with propane), but for safety's sake is still not advisable as the cans are labeled "do not refill".

@lvstream720 3 жыл бұрын

I have refilled mine. LPG does develop more pressure. But i dont refill the cannister at the same amount as factory does with butane. A factory Butane cannister has 250 Grams / 8 8 oz. Since LPG is stronger, i refilled with less weight in them. I still have to place something between the bottom canister ring edge. And the pushing lever. To keep the cannister locked in. But so far so good. I use a scale to weight the cannister. So i fill them with A safe mount everytime do it for personal use.

@MarkJoshuaOlimon 3 жыл бұрын

What is the safe amount?

@lvstream720 3 жыл бұрын

@@MarkJoshuaOlimon When i refill the coleman ones. I fill them with 10 oz. You will still get kick back from the locking mechanism from the stove. What i do is to get a quick connect wrench cube. Between the back of the latch that moves the cannister forward & the stove inner wall. So the latch cant back out. And the cannister stays engaged that way. After cooking and turning the stove off, i just remove the cube and the latch will back up.. Then u can spark ur stove as normal without the cannister. So it burns the little propane in the line. So far it works fine for me. Buy the coleman brand. Their cannisters are well made too. Use it until u run out. Then fill with LPG. If u have the adapter as on the video. By the way. When i am filling, when the filling noise from the gas going in reduces. I close the filling attatchment. Disconnect the cannister and then i get a ripped squeeze nozzle from a hair mousse ( Tressmme brand ), i use. And i use that to release some of the pressure from the cannister. ( upright position ). like 3 seconds squeeze. Then back to the lpg tank to fill more. Repeat the process as needed while weighing the cannister after dettaching from ur propane tank. As u weigh it and shows below 10 oz. Depressurize from.3- 4 seconds and then connect back to the lpg tank. Do this process with a decent speed. To not let the cannister build pressure before reconnecting to the LPG tank. No more than 10 oz. A new butane as about 12 oz. But butane doesnt have as much pressure as LPG would at 10.oz. I can do a facebook live and show how i do it. Just provide me with yall fb

@teomarroma8350 2 жыл бұрын

What's your facebook bro?

@lvstream720 2 жыл бұрын

@@teomarroma8350 hey man. Do u have the attatchment to refill the butane cannisters?

@lvstream720 2 жыл бұрын

@@MarkJoshuaOlimon I refill them with about 11 oz. But the butane stoves will not lock with that latch u move down. At least mine wont lock. But what i do. I place a quick connect wrench cube from my tool box. I am using a 1/2 nut cube. I move the engaging latch down, while placing the cube behind the piece that moves the cannister forward. The cube stay pinched between the stove backwall and the moving piece that is against the cannister bottom ring. I personally have a Click2Cook butane stove. The cannister will stay all the way forward doing this. After i finish cooking. I never leave the cannister on. I take the cube out, to separate the cannister from the regulator. To be even safer, i click start the stove. To attempt burning the propane already in the line. Sounds weird to use a 1/2 cube. But i havent had any problems. Plus i always refill the same amout. 10 ounces, 11 ounces at most. But you can go with 10 oz. Even if u put 2 oz, the propane will always create more pressure. Thats why i came up with the idea of using a 1/2 Wrench cube.

@lvstream720 2 жыл бұрын

The guy on the video has no need to freeze the cannister. Eventually will pressure up. All he needs to do is to place something behind the piece that moves que cannister worward. Like a wrench cube. To try a few sizes till he finds the one. That will fit between the stove back wall and the movable piece. That will prevent the cannister from backing up. Once done cooking. Take the cube out and the cannister will back out. Simple. Lpg filling like at 11 oz.

@FixTechStuff 2 жыл бұрын

Yes that may be another way, however freezing did indeed reduce the pressure, that's why I did it. After the first use it will have less pressure and doesn't require freezing again. Filling the canister with less gas is a the only safe option. If it is overfilled to the same weight as butane like I did in the video it will slowly leak down. Again this was just an experiment which nobody should have to do, unless in an emergency situation.

@lvstream720 2 жыл бұрын

@@FixTechStuff I know it reduses pressure. But the Propane will go to room temperature. So let me ask you, why not using it without cooling it

@lvstream720 2 жыл бұрын

@@FixTechStuff No no. You cant use the same amount of ounces. I load my Coleman canister with 10 oz. 11 at most. The pressure will always be there. My cannister have been like 3 oz before empty. And still will not lock up on the stove. Remember The gas will build up a certain pressure, the canister can withstand. It wont forced itself too hi. But, it wont lock on the stove. If you fill will 11 oz or less. That pressure will always exceed butane. If u freeze, yes it helps. But once the chill goes down. It will start building pressure and pop right off the mechanism. The cube is better and safer. Coleman cans says 250 G / 8.8 oz of butate. I use a Digital scale and i fill at 10. I tried 11 and worked fine. I wont go above 11 oz. I havent emptied a cannister to get its tare weight. But it wont be much of a factor.

@lvstream720 2 жыл бұрын

@@FixTechStuff I have cooked most of my meals on my butane stove. Saving on my elctric bill. I will make a video myself. filling upto 11 oz. And then showing how i place it on my stove. So far i havent had any issues. On youtube there are videos of explotions and stuff. But i assure you. Some companies do this on purpose to scare people from refilling. I use the coleman cans because i saw how they build them. Their sealling method is very good. Anti explotion. I will make a video and upload. U will see how i get my cannister to reach 10 or 11 oz of LPG.

@FixTechStuff 2 жыл бұрын

@@lvstream720 The tests I did with frozen cans, I used enough gas cooking that it didn't require re-freezing. I don't doubt what you are saying, although I did test this at the time and it still wouldn't turn on. Perhaps the stoves we are using have a slightly different design. The butane canisters available in Australia are 220 grams, I don't know what that is in oz. The cans you are using might be different also, and able to hold a higher pressure. I refilled them to the same weight (approx 220 grams) in LPG, stored the cans for a few weeks and half of the LPG leaked out. This is the reason I personally would not bother refilling them again, there are better options including stoves that run on LPG. ebay.us/KUBuTb

@sherry866 8 ай бұрын

Be Careful with your testings dear 😳💛

@dragan3290 2 жыл бұрын

Propane burns hotter than butane?

@FixTechStuff 2 жыл бұрын

Depending on the sources I found online, I believe they burn at the same temperature. In this application with the camp stove, based on pressure regulation and jet size I don't believe it had a bigger flame or burned hotter than butane. The gas torch I think did have a bigger flame, so likely it could have been hotter. If propane is mixed with oxygen in welding applications it will burn another 1000c hotter.

@soplim8632 Жыл бұрын

The stuff is cheap as all Kmart and big w sell the butane in 4 packs , 6 packs and 10 packs.

@FixTechStuff Жыл бұрын

Yeah, in Australia we're better off stocking up on canisters rather than considering refilling. Other countries like the US, the things are not so cheap.

@rogervillareal5233 2 жыл бұрын

Will it explode if overload?

@FixTechStuff 2 жыл бұрын

When refilling with propane the can will be over pressurised even if only half filled, so a canister triggering its safety mechanism and venting (rather than exploding) is something that can happen if the storage temperature changes dramatically. Check out my 2nd video for more information about the pressure involved. I have a 3rd and final video in the series coming out soon.

@joselim7981 2 жыл бұрын

No the bottom of the can is concave shape it will just flatten when overpressure.that's the design of all pressurize can like paint can.

@ArthurMorgan00003 10 ай бұрын

Can I refill my lpg lighter with butane?

@FixTechStuff 10 ай бұрын

Yes. There are specific adapters available on AliExpress. s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DejTgRl

@conker33350 Жыл бұрын

What about propane?. Thise cannisters are more expensive than propane in the long run.

@FixTechStuff Жыл бұрын

Yes, just buying a propane stove is smarter and more cost efficient, although these are compact and easily transportable.

@Jonathan-jo2xu 5 ай бұрын

2% poontang😮

@procrastinator1842 6 ай бұрын

Have a look at a gas temperature/pressure chart. The issue is if somebody leaves this in a hot car, you will get 4x the vapor pressure of butane in a hot car... ...saying this as a person that has done this experiment. Try a 30/70 mix. Chuck in ~70g of propane and 150g of butane. You'll still get great performance without the crazy pressure. Cheers!

@FixTechStuff 6 ай бұрын

Yeah true, or not even that, on a table outside in the sun on a 25c day of all things.

@Linus007 2 жыл бұрын

Cringeworthy content after you refilled the canister. Propane has a much higher vapor pressure than butane. What is depicted in the video is exceedingly dangerous. Edit: you do mention this is not safe. I was more worried for your safety.

@FixTechStuff 2 жыл бұрын

Cringeworthy would be your comment. Thanks but no thanks. I think I made it quite clear it is not safe and that people should not be doing this.

@Linus007 2 жыл бұрын

@@FixTechStuff agreed you did mention that. Be safe out there. I was more worried about your safety.