AmeriGas provides nationwide availability, a convenient tank exchange program, various tank sizes, high safety standards, and positive customer satisfaction. On the other hand, Blue Rhino also offers nationwide availability, a convenient tank exchange program, a range of tank sizes, emphasizes safety standards, and maintains positive customer satisfaction. Is a limited partnership headquartered in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. When it is involved in the propane cylinder business, it’s commonly known as AmeriGas Cylinder Exchange.
So, whether you’re looking to upgrade your grilling game or create the perfect outdoor living space, both companies have got you covered. Blue Rhino offers a range of grilling accessories, amerigas vs blue rhino from barbecue tools to patio heaters, while AmeriGas offers grills, smokers, and fire pits. The FTC will publish the consent agreements in the Federal Register shortly.
For small grilling and auxiliary propane tanks, expect to spend between $50 and $a hundred and fifty. The propane company you contract with will handle all the related costs, and you make a single payment. This differs only if you choose to buy the tank and contract with the propane firm to put in it. In this case, putting in a 500-gallon propane tank costs round $500 to $1,000 of the $three,000 complete. Underground propane tanks are safer when it comes to potential damages like propane leaks since a gasoline leak could be extra contained by the soil. Once the unit reaches an expiration date (sometimes 12 years for the 15 to 20-lb ones), you must request an inspection earlier than you’ll be able to refill it.
- Let’s start with Blue Rhino, a company that, despite its name, has nothing to do with large, horned mammals and everything to do with propane.
- AmeriGas offers a wide range of services, from residential propane delivery to commercial and industrial services.
- They’ve also branched out into the world of grilling accessories, offering everything from barbecue tools and grill covers to bug zappers and patio heaters.
- However, it’s always a good idea to check with the specific location to confirm their policy.
- Chairwoman Edith Ramirez and Commissioner Julie Brill issued a joint statement, Commissioner Joshua D. Wright issued a separate statement, and Commissioner Maureen K. Ohlhausen issued a dissenting statement.
- The price to install an underground propane tank runs $1,600 to $2,four hundred for a 500-gallon tank and $three,one hundred to $four,500 for a one thousand-gallon tank.
In contrast the by-the-gallon refill places will refill your tank until the “overfill prevention device” (OPD) shuts off the flow, which will be much closer to the true safe fill level of 19.2 lbs (4.6 gallons). When faced with resistance from Wal-Mart, the two companies secretly agreed to coordinate their negotiations, pressuring the retailer to accept the reduced fill level. No, the propane itself is the same regardless of whether it comes from AmeriGas or Blue Rhino. Propane is a standard product, and its quality doesn’t vary between providers. Both Blue Rhino and AmeriGas pride themselves on their commitment to customer satisfaction. However, both Blue Rhino and AmeriGas strive to offer competitive pricing for their propane and other services.
Pros and Cons of Blue Rhino
A propane tank for a home prices between $400 and $seven hundred for a a hundred-gallon tank and $1,200 to $1,800 for a 500-gallon above-ground tank. The price to install an underground propane tank runs $1,600 to $2,four hundred for a 500-gallon tank and $three,one hundred to $four,500 for a one thousand-gallon tank. Buying New vs. UsedLeasing a TankWhat You Need To KnownFrequently Asked QuestionsGet free estimates from trusted propane firms near you. “The agreement between Blue Rhino and AmeriGas to maintain a united front against Walmart had the effect of raising the price per pound of propane sold to Walmart, and likely to the ultimate consumers,” the FTC said in a statement.
Propane tanks larger than 500-gallons will require permanent underground set up generally. Tanks from 250 gallons upward can be installed underground, with 500- to 1,000-gallon tanks being the commonest. Walmart, which purchased tanks from both Blue Rhino and AmeriGas, refused to accept the fill reduction. Faced with resistance from Walmart, Blue Rhino and AmeriGas colluded by secretly agreeing that neither would deviate from their proposal to reduce the fill level to Walmart. This secret agreement between Blue Rhino and AmeriGas had the effect of raising the price per pound of propane to Walmart, and likely to the ultimate consumers. Blue Rhino has a specific focus on grilling accessories, while AmeriGas offers a broader range of outdoor living products.
I’m a beginner in grilling. Which propane provider is better for beginners?
So, whether you choose AmeriGas or Blue Rhino, rest assured that either way, you’re in for a sizzling grilling experience. ” Well, dear reader, while propane is indeed a type of gas, it’s the invisible hero that turns your raw ingredients into char-grilled masterpieces. That is, they have a total internal volume of about 5.7 gallons; if you managed to fill it all the way up to the valve threads with LP (which would be unsafe) it would hold about 24 lbs of LP. The contents of this website may contain attorney advertising under the laws of various states. Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP is headquartered in New York and has office locations in Boston, Brussels, Dallas, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Miami, Munich, New York, Paris, Shanghai, Silicon Valley and Washington, D.C.
Can I exchange an AmeriGas propane tank at a Blue Rhino location, or vice versa?
In my experience, there isn’t much added convenience with the cylinder-exchange services; they’re not much closer to me, and I still have to wait for an employee to be free to unlock the cage of “filled” cylinders. Typically, you can exchange any brand of propane tank at either AmeriGas or Blue Rhino locations as long as the tank meets current safety standards. However, it’s always a good idea to check with the specific location to confirm their policy. Their propane tanks undergo thorough inspections and maintenance processes before being refilled. Always follow the safety guidelines provided by the company and general propane safety practices.
Agreements that restrict output or other terms of sale also fall in the per se category. Here, the FTC challenged concerted action that it determined had the effect of an anticompetitive agreement to raise prices, even though the competitors did not exchange information on price or agree on prices to submit to a customer(s). Two years ago I switched from buying Blue Rhino propane tanks from the “cage” in front of the big-box store to getting my tanks from a local independent propane bottler. Like two times longer–I used to go through 4-5 tanks of Blue Rhino during a typical summer, but now I go through 2 of the tanks from the new guy in the same amount of time.
My local U-Haul lot does while-you-wait propane refills for $4/gallon. So not only am I saving a lot per gallon, but I’m getting a much fuller tank that will last longer and not need to be refilled as soon. Backyard grillers who found themselves a little short on flame in recent years may have been burned by Blue Rhino and AmeriGas Cylinder Exchange, the two leading suppliers of propane exchange tanks. Under the Sherman Act, per se illegal agreements are not strictly limited to agreements on price.
Under the settlements, which were reached in October, Blue Rhino and AmeriGas are barred from agreeing with competitors to modify fill levels or fix the prices of exchange tanks, and from coordinating negotiations with customers. Most of the time, the costs you will discover for propane tanks concern an empty unit. The safety of transport and the load of larger models calls for that delivery (and set up as needed) occur separately from gasoline supply. Propane is innocent to your water and the surroundings, but it’s combustible. Ranging from 2,000- to 30,000-gallon tanks, prices vary from $11,000 to $80,000. Recertifying a propane tank prices around $35 to $60, relying on the professional doing the work.
Benefits of AmeriGas Propane
For small grilling and auxiliary propane tanks, anticipate to spend between $50 and $one hundred fifty for an empty shell. The Federal Trade Commission issued an administrative complaint against Ferrellgas Partners, L.P and Ferrellgas, L.P. (doing business as Blue Rhino) and UGI Corporation and AmeriGas Partners, L.P. (doing business https://cryptolisting.org/ as AmeriGas Cylinder Exchange), alleging that they illegally coordinated on reducing the amount of propane in their tanks sold to a key customer. To compare the prices accurately, you’ll need to convert the per-tank price of the cylinder exchange to the actual gallons, since most of the non-exchange places charge by the gallon.
In the end, the best propane provider for you is the one that meets your grilling needs, fits your budget, and gives you the confidence to grill your best. Blue Rhino shines with its wide availability and quality assurance, making it a reliable choice for grillers who value convenience and peace of mind. Propane itself is an environmentally friendly fuel source, producing fewer greenhouse gases than many other fuels. Both AmeriGas and Blue Rhino provide propane, but any differences in environmental impact would come down to company practices rather than the propane itself. Yes, you can use propane from either AmeriGas or Blue Rhino for your griddle. Both companies provide propane that is suitable for a variety of outdoor cooking appliances, including griddles.