Flame King 1lb refillable propane

[AlphaTea]

I had the foresight to purchase several of these 1lb refillable propane bottles back when you could get them for about $10 each.
Saturday evening we had a nasty storm roll thru and we lost power for about 18 hours mostly over night.
Being the genius that I am, I never did fill up those bottles. I've had them at least 5 years and kind of forgot about them.
I had enough of the disposable bottles so I was fine. This time.
So, the reason for this post. These bottles come with what can only be described as a "cage" over the top and screwed onto the threads. After I fill these bottles should I re install the cage or use a screw on cap over the threads. I have both,.
All comments and suggestions are appreciated.

[Illini Warrior]

not really familiar with what you're calling cages - probably for some rough abuse environments >>> I wouldn't lose them but around the homesite I can see them being a pain ....

I don't use the 1lbers that much since I went to extension hoses for the BBQ size 20lbers - I have always refilled the regular bottles and keep about 25 or so handy for various uses ....

[AlphaTea]

https://flameking.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/CylinderKit-1024x1024.jpg
This black plastic thing they call a cylinder cap is what I am referring to.
Here is a better pichttps://media.dyersonline.com/media/catalog/product/cache/63b29837f5e3b745adb8c2e7299acea5/f/l/flame_king_dot_portable_1lb_refillable_propane_cyl inder_kit-93583-1.jpg

[Domeguy]

I say put on the screw on cap…Might keeps the threads from rusting…just my 3 cents here.

[AlphaTea]

Well, today I filled up 17 and a half bottles off of a newly filled 20lb tank. I may have been boned on that tank fill:mad: then again, some of the loss could have been due to having to vent each bottle to ensure a proper fill.
The plastic caps fit on pretty snug, so I dont think the threads will rust. Actually Im thinking the threads are brass, so they wont rust anyway.
I think Im gonna go with your thought Domeguy, Im gonna do it half and half, and when I fill them next time look to see if it makes any difference.

[Illini Warrior]

most of the disposable 1lbers are all steel - and the threads will rust in time - when I was a kid and kept using the same bottles over & over -I'd brush down the threads about mid camping season - can't use any lub and the Midwest humidity would kick in the rust ....