NoPane: The Must-Have Tool for Campers
If you love camping but hate refilling the propane tanks, consider the NoPane handle!
This lightweight, easy to use tool turns any 20 pound propane tank into one that’s easily carried, making it a must-have for campers looking to lighten their load.
My family and I camp a lot, and filling up our camper’s propane tanks is one of those tasks that’s necessary but never something to look forward to due to the bulky tanks.
We took the NoPane tool for a spin to see how it performed, and it’s now something that we will always keep in the camper.
In this review, I’m sharing details on how to use the NoPane tool, photos of it in action, and much more.
The NoPane handle makes moving your propane tanks a breeze.
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through the links below, I will receive a commission at no charge to you. Additionally, the NoPane handle was sent to me for the purposes of this review. All opinions are my own.
What is the NoPane handle?
The NoPane handle is a lightweight, plastic handle that conveniently hooks onto the top of any standard 20 lb propane tank.
The handle more efficiently distributes the weight of the propane tank, making it easy for just about anyone to move empty or even fully filled tanks.
When the company reached out to me to review the product, I immediately jumped on the opportunity because hauling the propane tanks for our camper around is one of my least favorite tasks.
A typical propane tank does have areas that you can hold the top by, but these are made of metal that isn’t designed for comfort.
When I have to move a fully filled tank normally, the metal rim of the tank puts uncomfortable pressure on my hands.
Sometimes, campgrounds have a propane refill area that’s a long way from my campsite, so hauling the filled tank requires me to have to stop constantly to give my hands a break.
With the NoPane, the tank doesn’t feel nearly as heavy since the handle allows you to carry the propane tank in a way that’s much more natural.
Plus, the NoPane’s smooth, thick plastic ensures a comfortable hold no matter how far you have to go with your tanks.
How to Use NoPane
Simple design, big impact
We’re currently on a 7 week camping trip through New England in our Winnebago Micro Minnie 1800BH, so I made sure to pack the NoPane to test out at the many campgrounds we’re visiting.
Since the weather has been gloriously cool at night, we’ve used the propane for both heating the camper and for cooking meals. And that meant that I had to change out the propane more often than when we’re visiting warmer places like the Utah Mighty 5 national parks since our air conditioning uses electricity, not propane.
When the time came to change out the propane tanks, my 12 year old daughter asked to help me, and I knew we needed to pull out the NoPane.
The normal propane handles are too unevenly distributed for her to comfortably haul even the empty tanks, but she was able to carry the tanks without any issue once we put on the NoPane.
To use the NoPane, you simply hook each end of the plastic handle under the existing metal handle on the propane tank.
The weight of the tank and the design of the NoPane handle will create enough force so that the NoPane handle stays in place easily, no extra tools required.
Once you’ve refilled or moved your propane tank as needed, you simply slip the NoPane handle out, one side at a time.
Lifting and carrying the propane tank are equally easy with the handle on.
Because the handle of the NoPane is one piece of thick plastic, it won’t break, bend, or warp even when your propane tank is full.
And its super easy setup makes this a piece of cake for anyone—even a kid!—to be able to use right out of the package.
The small overall size of the handle, around 8” long, means that it conveniently packs into a drawer in your camper or in a tote bag in the back of your truck.
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Final Thoughts on the NoPane
NoPane is easy to put on and take off.
While both my 12 year old and I tried this handle out with great results, I can also see it being incredibly helpful for campers with dexterity or mobility issues.
Since the NoPane handle is so much larger than the uncomfortable metal holding areas on the tank, you don’t need to be a weightlifter or have a strong grip to move your propane tanks.
While many campgrounds do offer propane fill-up services (and, in some cases, will even deliver the filled tanks back to your site), it’s up to the camper to get the tank to the fill-up station and then back onto the correct position on the camper.
Even for smaller distances, the NoPane really does make the entire process so much easier, opening up the camping experience to even more people.
In a larger perspective, the NoPane isn’t only for campers. It would be a great tool to keep around your house for when you need to move or refill propane tanks for grills, heating, or tools.
I’m always on the lookout for inexpensive ways to make my life easier, both on and off the road, and the NoPane handle does just that.
This is one tool that will remain permanently in our camper for future propane hauls!
