Flame King

What Flame King does

Flame King (legal entity YSN Imports, Inc.) is a U.S.-based manufacturer and distributor of propane storage cylinders and related propane-powered equipment, founded in 1998 and headquartered in Pico Rivera, California, with additional operational sites in Commerce (CA), Elkhart (IN), and Riverside (CA). The company designs and produces a comprehensive line of portable propane tanks and cylinders ranging from 0.25 lb to 420 lb in steel and aluminum constructions, certified to DOT, ASME, and Transport Canada specifications in ISO 9002-certified facilities. Its flagship technical differentiator is a patented valve design for 1 lb refillable propane cylinders — the only DOT-certified, legally refillable and transportable 1 lb tank on the market, with a stated 10–12 year service life. The product portfolio has expanded beyond tanks to include OPD valves, gauges, hoses and accessories, forklift and refrigerant cylinders, LP buffer tanks, and downstream propane-consuming appliances (fire pits, heaters, tankless water heaters, pizza ovens, high-BTU burners, grills), plus a Bluetooth-connected Smart Wireless Propane Tank Scale with a companion iOS/Android app.

Flame King sells through a multi-channel distribution model: direct-to-consumer e-commerce via flamekingproducts.com and Amazon, retail distribution through Ace Hardware, Home Depot, Kamps, Propane Depot, and U-Haul, OEM sales to manufacturers (historically including Coleman, for whom the company originally supplied valves before expanding into full cylinder manufacturing in 2000), and B2B sales to propane marketers/distributors in support of a 1 lb cylinder refill and exchange program. The customer base spans residential consumers (BBQ, camping, patio heating), commercial and industrial users (forklifts, warehouse heating, manufacturing), RV and marine users, trade professionals (plumbing, HVAC, welding), and propane marketers/distributors across North America. The company's go-to-market is sales-led, combining retail shelf presence, marketplace listings, and direct B2B engagement.

The company is privately held and led by co-founder and CEO Sam Newman (with co-founder Israel Schochet). It has raised disclosed institutional capital from Main Street Capital Corporation — a $31.6 million debt-plus-equity round in November 2021 and a $66 million round in July 2025 — to support growth across recreational, commercial, industrial, and home propane markets. A 2024–2025 recall of approximately 26,000 refillable 1 lb cylinders due to fire and explosion hazards from leaking valves is a notable safety event affecting the company's flagship innovation line.

Name

Flame King

Legal name

YSN Imports, Inc.

Website

https://flameking.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Flame King (YSN Imports, Inc.) is a U.S. manufacturer and distributor of DOT/ASME-certified propane cylinders (0.25 lb–420 lb), patented refillable 1 lb tanks, and propane-powered appliances, serving residential, commercial/industrial, RV/marine, OEM, and propane marketer customers across North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Propane Storage Equipment and Cylinders

NAICS

Heating Equipment (except Warm Air Furnaces) Manufacturing (333414), Ventilation, Heating, Air-Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturing (33341), Pump and Compressor Manufacturing (33391), Measuring, Dispensing, and Other Pumping Equipment Manufacturing (333914)

SIC

Steel Pipe & Tubes (3317), Heating Equip, Except Elec & Warm Air; & Plumbing Fixtures (3430), Refrigeration & Service Industry Machinery (3580), Motors & Generators (3621), Industrial & Commercial Fans & Blowers & Air Purifing Equip (3564)

akta.pro primary industry

LPG / Propane-Butane Products Pipeline Transportation (TLAGABAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Heater/Boiler Flue, Venting & Chimney Liner Service (HSAOACAF), Propane (LP) Gas Line Installation & Conversion (HSAOAKAJ)

Keywords

• Propane tanks
• Propane cylinders
• Refillable propane
• Forklift cylinders
• Propane accessories

Headquarters

HQ city

Pico Rivera

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Propane Tank Sales: Sale of propane storage cylinders ranging from 0.25lb to 420lb capacity in steel and aluminum construction. Tanks are sold empty (pre-purged and vacuum-sealed) to retailers, propane companies, OEMs, and directly to consumers.
2. Propane Accessories Sales: Sale of related propane accessories including replacement valves, gauges, adapters, hoses, regulators, and refilling equipment.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Flame King manufactures and distributes propane storage cylinders and tanks ranging from 0.25 lb to 420 lb capacity in steel and aluminum constructions, certified to DOT, ASME, and Transport Canada specifications. The company also produces a complementary line of propane-powered appliances (fire pits, heaters, water heaters, pizza ovens, burners, grills), accessories (valves, gauges, hoses, adapters), and Bluetooth-enabled smart tank monitoring devices for residential, commercial, industrial, RV, marine, and propane distribution customers.

Product overview

Flame King is a propane storage solutions provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of propane tanks, cylinders, and related products. The core offering consists of portable propane cylinders in steel (1 lb to 420 lb) and aluminum constructions, certified to DOT and ASME specifications. The product lineup includes: (1) Standard propane tanks and cylinders with various capacities and valve configurations; (2) HOG (Horizontal/Vertical on Wheels) series for easy transport; (3) ASME-certified stationary tanks for residential and commercial propane applications; (4) Forklift-specific liquid-draw cylinders; (5) Refrigerant tanks for HVAC use; (6) LP Buffer tanks for floor care machines; (7) 1LB refillable cylinders with patented DOT-certified design. Complementing the tank portfolio are propane accessories (gauges, valves, adapters), outdoor cooking equipment (burners, grills, pizza ovens), heating products (portable heaters, fire pits, water heaters), and smart monitoring devices (wireless tank scales with Bluetooth connectivity). Products are sold through retail channels (Shop Retail at flamekingproducts.com) and are manufactured in ISO 9002-certified facilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Flame King Propane Tanks (1 lb to 420 lb) A comprehensive line of portable propane cylinders ranging from 1 lb to 420 lb capacity in steel and aluminum constructions, DOT and ASME certified, with various valve configurations and optional built-in gauges for recreational, commercial, industrial, and home applications.
• HOG (Horizontal/Vertical on Wheels) Propane Cylinders Horizontal and vertical propane cylinders with built-in wheels for easy transport, available in 20lb, 30lb, 40lb, 60lb, and 100lb capacities. Designed for high-demand propane usage including fire tables, fire pits, patio heaters, and RVs.
• ASME Certified Propane Tanks ASME-certified vertical steel propane cylinders in 100lb, 200lb, and 420lb capacities. Stationary-use tanks that do not require recertification after 12 years (unlike DOT tanks), pre-installed with gauges, valves, and lid covers for residential and commercial propane applications.
• LP Buffer Tanks Specialized 20lb propane tanks designed for propane-powered floor waxing, burnishing, and polishing machines, featuring liquid draw design, built-in gauges, and overfill protection devices.
• Forklift Propane Cylinders Liquid draw propane cylinders designed for forklift applications, available in steel (33.5lb, 43.5lb) and aluminum (33.5lb, 43.5lb) construction with horizontal/vertical mounting, built-in gauges, and rugged design for warehouse material handling.
• Refrigerant Tanks Propane refrigerant cylinders for HVAC applications, including 30lb and 50lb tanks with dual-port valves for liquid and vapor withdrawal, rated for 400 PSI.
• 1LB Refillable Propane Cylinders DOT-certified refillable 1lb propane cylinders (green 16.4oz, blue 14.1oz) with patented valve design. The only legally refillable and transportable 1lb tanks on the market, reusable for 10-12 years, featuring high-grade steel or aluminum construction with UL1769 listed valves.
• Propane Accessories Complete range of propane accessories including gauges, replacement valves (OPD, POL, fill valves), adapters, brass caps, tank stabilizers, hoses, and replacement parts for various tank configurations.
• Portable Propane Fire Pits (19" and 24") Portable propane fire pit bowls in 19-inch (58,000 BTU) and 24-inch (58,000 BTU) sizes featuring self-ignition, adjustable flame control, lava rocks, carry straps, and weather-resistant covers for outdoor entertaining.
• Portable Propane Heaters Portable propane heaters including tank top heaters (13,000 BTU), radiant space heaters (10,000-20,000 BTU), forced air heaters (60,000 BTU), and multi-use heater/cooker combinations with safety features including ODS and tip-over shutoff.
• Portable Propane Water Heaters Tankless outdoor portable propane gas water heaters in 5L (34,000 BTU) and 10L (68,000 BTU) capacities featuring digital temperature control, multiple safety protections, and CSA certification.
• Portable Propane Pizza Ovens Portable propane pizza ovens including the YSN-SSPZG, TANUR 12-inch, and LEHAVA 14-inch with rotating stone (up to 950°F, pizza in 60-90 seconds). Feature piezo ignition, adjustable heat control, and carry covers.
• Propane Burner Stoves (Single and Dual Burner) High BTU propane burner stoves including single burners (100,000-200,000 BTU), dual burners (100,000 BTU each), and portable camping stoves with windshields, adjustable legs, and 0-20 PSI regulators for outdoor cooking.
• Propane Grills and Griddles Portable propane grills and flat-top griddle stations including RV-mounted grills, tabletop griddles (single and dual burner), and multi-functional BBQ grills with cast iron cooking surfaces.
• Camping Stoves and Oven Combos Portable camping stoves including single, dual, and triple burner options, as well as oven/stove combos (10,000 BTU burners with 4,000 BTU oven) for outdoor cooking and emergency backup.
• Smart Wireless Propane Tank Scale (YSNPS1) Bluetooth-enabled wireless propane tank scale that connects to a dedicated iOS/Android mobile app to monitor propane levels in 20lb, 30lb, and 40lb cylinders, featuring real-time level tracking.
• Gauge Scale with Digital Indicator (YSNGPS) Digital indicator scale compatible with 5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 lb propane tanks featuring high precision weight sensor, clear display screen, and molded comfort grip.
• Propane Gas Level Indicator Check Gauge Meter (YSN212B) Brass propane gauge with glow-in-the-dark dial and excess flow check valve. Compatible with Type 1 (QCC1) and POL connections, tested to UL, ANSI Z21.18, and CSA 6.25 standards.
• ALOGFIRE Propane Ambiance Fireplace Heater Portable propane fireplace heater producing realistic dancing flames, 8,200 BTU with 5-8 hour runtime on 1lb tank. Features multi-protection safety systems, tip-over shutoff, and indoor-safe design for up to 300 sq ft.
• Propane Hoses Propane hoses and connectors including refill adapters, distribution trees, and extension hoses for connecting tanks to appliances.
• Weed Burners and Torches Propane-powered weed burners and torches for agricultural and landscaping use.
• Aluminum Propane Tanks (Marine Grade) Corrosion-resistant aluminum propane tanks ideal for marine and saltwater applications. Available in 1lb, 5lb, 10lb, 20lb, and 30lb sizes with bright finish and lightweight construction.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature4 records

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Mr. Heater: Mr. Heater manufactures portable and tank-top propane heaters, including radiant and forced-air models sold through hardware and outdoor channels. It directly overlaps Flame King's portable heater and Buddy-style heater product line at the same retail and OEM customers.
• Manchester Tank: Manchester Tank designs and manufactures pressure vessels and steel propane cylinders for industrial, commercial, and recreational applications. It competes directly with Flame King in DOT-certified propane cylinders and serves many of the same OEM and propane marketer customers.
• Bieye: Bieye is a manufacturer of aluminum propane tanks and cylinders marketed for marine, RV, and portable use. It competes with Flame King's environmentally-friendly aluminum marine-grade propane tank line in similar retail and online channels.
• Camco Manufacturing: Camco is a major supplier of RV and camping propane accessories, hoses, regulators, fittings, and related hardware. It competes with Flame King across RV/marine propane accessories, hoses, and adapter SKUs sold into RV dealers, Walmart, Amazon, and hardware retail.
• Worthington Enterprises: Worthington Enterprises is one of the largest North American manufacturers of pressurized steel cylinders, including propane tanks and cylinders sold through retail and OEM channels. It is the closest direct competitor to Flame King in portable propane cylinders, with overlapping distribution into hardware and home improvement retailers.
• Engineered Controls International (ECII): ECII (RegO Products) is a leading manufacturer of propane valves, regulators, OPD valves, and fittings used on portable propane cylinders. Flame King's patented 1lb refillable cylinder directly competes with ECII's valve architectures on refillable and transportable 1lb cylinder designs.

Emerging players

• Masterbuilt: Masterbuilt is an outdoor cooking brand expanding into propane-powered griddles, pizza ovens, and portable cooking appliances. It competes for the same outdoor cooking consumer that Flame King targets with its burner stove and pizza oven lines.
• Blackstone Products: Blackstone is a fast-growing outdoor griddle brand sold across sporting-goods, hardware, and mass retail channels. It overlaps with Flame King's portable griddle and outdoor cooking SKUs in target customer and channel.

Broad incumbents

• Weber Grills: Weber is a dominant North American propane and gas grill brand sold across Home Depot, Lowe's, and other major retail. While Weber focuses on grills rather than cylinders, it shares Flame King's end consumer and retail relationships, competing for shelf space and consumer propane equipment spend.
• Camp Chef: Camp Chef is an established outdoor cooking brand selling propane stoves, griddles, burners, and pizza ovens through outdoor, hardware, and sporting-goods retailers. It overlaps with Flame King's cooking product line (burners, griddles, pizza ovens) at the same customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/flamekingco
• Facebookfacebook.com/flamekinglp
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/flameking

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Flame King