A new tank from Van Cafe.  They did not ship it full; you cannot
ship it back to them with any propane in it.

So...did the owner have it filled, and then ran out of juice when
making tea?  If it was filled after installation then Dave or Tom
is probably right, or both of them.  It is full or it has a little
propane and needs purging.

Or maybe it is that special Van Cafe tank that is packed full of
chocolate chip cookies....

Richard