So, the kid’s birthday was coming up, and you know how it is, they wanted balloons. Lots of balloons. Not just a few, like, a bunch. Buying those pre-filled ones gets expensive fast, and those small disposable tanks? Barely fill anything, total rip-off sometimes.
I started thinking, can you actually rent a proper helium tank? Like the big ones? Seemed like something only businesses did. I wasn’t sure where to even begin looking.
Figuring Out Where to Look
First thing I did was just hop online. Typed in stuff like “helium tank rental near me”, “rent helium for balloons”, that sort of thing. A few places popped up.
- Party supply stores: Some bigger chains listed rentals.
- Welding supply companies: This surprised me, but apparently, they deal with all sorts of compressed gases, including helium.
- Event rental places: Some places that rent tables and chairs also had tanks.
Okay, so it looked possible. Next step was making some calls.
Making Calls and Getting Prices
I called a couple of party stores first. They rented tanks, yeah. They asked how many balloons I needed to figure out the tank size. Sounded straightforward. They told me the rental price, usually for a few days, and mentioned a deposit. Okay, standard stuff.
Then I called a welding supply place just out of curiosity. The guy on the phone sounded a bit gruff, probably used to dealing with contractors, not dads planning parties. But yeah, they rented helium too. Their prices were maybe a little different, sometimes better, sometimes worse, depending on the tank size. They seemed more focused on the volume of gas.
Important bit here: you gotta ask about the regulator nozzle thingy. Some places include it, some rent it separately. You definitely need one to fill balloons safely and easily. Also, ask how long the rental period is – weekend? Three days? A week?
Picking a Place and Getting the Tank
I compared the costs. Considered the tank size I needed (they usually have charts like ‘fills 50 balloons’, ‘fills 100 balloons’, etc.). Decided to go with a local party supply store. It was convenient, the price was decent for a weekend rental, and they included the nozzle.
Went down there on a Friday. Had to fill out some paperwork, basically agreeing to return the tank and handle it safely. Paid the rental fee and a deposit – the deposit was kinda hefty, maybe a hundred bucks or so, guess they want to make sure you bring their tank back! They wheeled this heavy metal tank out. It wasn’t huge, but definitely solid. The staff gave me a quick rundown: how to open the valve slowly, how to attach the nozzle, safety stuff like keeping it upright and away from heat. Simple enough.
Using It and Taking It Back
Got it home, carefully. Used it the next day for the party. Opening that valve slowly is key, don’t want helium blasting out. The nozzle made filling balloons super easy, way faster than those tiny cans. Filled up maybe 70 balloons? Still felt like there was gas left in the tank I picked. Kids loved it.
Monday morning, loaded the tank back in the car – carefully again, those things are heavy and you don’t want them rolling around. Took it back to the store. They checked it over real quick, made sure it wasn’t damaged. Then they processed my deposit refund right back to my card. Whole return process took maybe five minutes.
So, Can You Rent Helium Tanks?
Absolutely, yes you can. It was easier than I thought. If you need a lot of balloons, it’s way more cost-effective than buying pre-filled ones or those dinky disposable tanks. Just gotta do a little legwork, call around, compare prices, and make sure you understand the deposit and return policy. Definitely worth considering for a bigger party or event.