IGNIK Refillable Propane Gas Growler Review

IGNIK Refillable Propane Gas Growler Deluxe Kit with Adapter Hose & Carry Case – The Perfect Overland Propane Tank

The modern vehicle-based campsite is changing, and I feel for the better.

We are now able to carry just about every modern convenience with us when we escape into the backcountry.  With all these conveniences of stoves, heaters, water heaters, and gas fire pits come additional concern for fuel. In the past, the ubiquitous green bottles were the go-to as they are compact, portable, and fairly inexpensive. Visit any campground after a busy weekend and you can easily see the downside of the single-use propane bottles as the trash cans are filled with them. The other alternative is the larger propane canisters that can be cumbersome to transport and store.

Lately, however, the overland community has been adopting the smaller 5-pound propane canister as an in-between. The tanks can still be cumbersome to transport and many companies offer mounting solutions on roof racks or tire swings that come at a premium. This is great if you have those abilities and are not opposed to vehicle fuel consumption that goes along with the drag.

Propane Tank Mounting Solution

Instead of creating another mounting solution on the exterior of the vehicle, IGNIK took an idea from the beer industry and created a simpler solution: the IGNIK Gas Growler. Like its beer growler namesake, the Gas Growler wraps the propane tank to protect it and to add to its portability.

Find it online

• Amazon: Check Price
• REI: Check Price
• Ignik: Check Price

Product Overview

The cover completely incases the propane tank in a thermo-molded padded cover providing insulation and impact protection.

This insulation is key as it allows more efficiency during colder temperatures as the bottle will remain warmer.

On the other side, it is less likely to produce condensation when operating at warmer temps. While there are tons of protection, the top portion of my case got folded up a bit after closing it without having it sitting correctly. However, it does not affect the operation.

Extremely Durable Material

On another note, the quality of the materials and stitching is top-notch. A nice detail is the webbing carry handle extends completely underneath the tank to carry a bulk of the load and not add unnecessary stress to seams. It is extremely durable and has shown zero wear (besides dirt) in months of hard use.

Only Negative: Dirt

That brings me to the only negative of the Gas Growler, Dirt.

I know that this is a piece of camping equipment, however, the white fabric gets dirty really quickly. That is not just a cosmetic issue, but a longevity issue. When dirt gets in fabric it will act like sandpaper and if you are not constantly cleaning then it may degrade the fabric after time.

I may just use some Beaver wax and seal the fabric a bit to add to the durability. It would be nice to see another type of fabric that doesn’t get so dirty, so fast.

Wide Opening For Easy Removal + Molly Straps

The zipper works smoothly allowing the top to open up wide enough to easily remove the tank.

They have also added molly strips along the sides to aid in securing the tank in transportation or attaching accessories to the outside.

Edge Guard Protection

To add an additional level of protection to the case they added edge guard to the top and bottom rim of the propane tank. This extra detail is two-fold as it protects the sharp edges of the tank from cutting the inside of the case and also keeps the tank from scratching and increasing the chance of rust.

Gas Growler Deluxe Upgrades

The Gas Growler Deluxe set also comes with a 4-foot hose that when in transportation mode wraps around the valve. Once zipped up inside the case it keeps it clean, secure, and handy when operating.

Easy To Use!

Using the Gas Growler is incredibly simple as it is the same as using a standard propane tank for your home grill.  First, unzip the top, unwind the hose and just attach the hose to the tank and then to the device you are using. Open the tank valve and you are cooking with Crisco… or just propane.

Used For Two-Burner Cooking

In most cases, the Gas Growler will be used for cooking with a two-burner stove. However, there seems to be a plethora of propane appliances and accessories (in Hank Hill voice) available on the market.

I have not tested because of the warmer weather but it can also work with propane heaters such as a Mr. Buddy Heater.

There are also portable hot water heaters that my wife is eyeing that can be used. Also, with areas increasing fire restrictions and limiting wood and charcoal fires, propane fire pits will become more common practice.

Final Thoughts

My style of travel all depends on what type of adventure I am going on.

Adaptability is my watchword, as I go from fast and lite with just the 4Runner or slow and steady with my mobile base camp adventure trailer.

All of my essential items must be able to transfer between the two. The Gas Growler is approved to be transported inside of a vehicle so I easily secure it in the cargo area when needed without worry.

Environmentally (& Wallet) Friendly!

Another key point of the Gas Growler is that it allows me to be a good steward of the environment while also saving some money along the way. The gas growler takes the place of 5 disposable green tanks, while at the same time only costing less than one of those tanks to fill.

In the 12-year life of my 5-pound tank, I kept 500 bottles out of the trash. That’s a good feeling! Last winter near the Grand Canyon, our family went through 5 bottles in two days.

And with cooking about 2 hours a day, it can go 2 weeks without refills.