Storing Propane
 

I have a regular normal run of the mill grill. I know storing propane is a bit risky but any ideas on what precautions to take.

How easy would it be to refill a propane tank in a SHTF scenario?

A lot of my friends are excellent hunters and I can picture grilling up venison for years :ok:

I just wanted to make sure that I am able to actually have enough propane to last me several years. Would storing it be disastrous?

Re: Storing Propane
 

It will last pretty much as long as your tank does...

Re: Storing Propane
 

I would consider it safer to store propane than gasoline.

Propane will keep indefinitely.

Re: Storing Propane
 

If you are storing small amounts, WalMart has great prices on portable tanks, and they will ship to your nearest store for free.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=8728363

I have two and am considering buying extras. I use these for camp stove and emergency heat fuel.

I have a 500 gallon tank in the yard, but the smaller tanks are great because they can be easily loaded into the truck if a quick evac is needed.

As said above, propane if you have good valves, will last forever.

Re: Storing Propane
 

Funny you should ask.....a friend of a friend is in intensive care {because of

a propane leak accident} right now as we type. I don't have enough details

to really say much except to make sure it (the propane)doesn't leak and it is

well ventilated.

He was on a boat, so I can see where those 2 things weren't done.FWIW

Re: Storing Propane
 

Well, cold weather isn't propane's friend, but it is THE storage fuel IMHO. I have a two burner Chi camp stove that I use for all my cooking. (1) 5 gal/20lb tank lasts over a year. I would expect 3 months in SHTF. I would plan for 2 months.

Re: Storing Propane
 

Propane is a BAD idea for use on a boat. ( Heavier than air, tends to settle in the bilge, same place we normally run ENGINES, and store BATTERIES. bad idea.
for long term storage on land, propane is ideal.
I have propane cylinders in regular use that were built as early as 1962. continuous outdoor usage for 47 years. Propane is stable, and does not decay nor degrade over time. as long as ambient temperature is above minus 45 or so ( depends on exact mixture, southern climates will add butane for lower vapor pressure) it will come out of the bottle and heat your house.
If you live in a very cold climate, you occasionally have to warm the propane bottle with a light bulb or heating pad. doesnt take much heat, you dont have to heat the whole tank, you add just enough BTU's to boil enough liquid to push some vapor through the lines. most people in the USA dont have to worry about propane bottle warmers.
..... SHORT answer, PROPANE is a great way to store some BTU's...........

Re: Storing Propane
 

First hand experience with that. Had a defective amana cooktop.

Wife was cooking dinner and the propane pooled in the bottom of the cooktop, when it reached the open flame BOOM. Pots pans, grates, etc flying everywhere, big blue ball of flame, wife screaming, I thought she was hurt, she thought I was telling here she was on fire. kind of funny now, but let me tell you it was pure chaos for a few minutes.

We have had electric for the last 4 years due to this, but we are fixing to move back to a HIGH END propane cooktop.

Re: Storing Propane
 

Re: Storing Propane
 

Unlike Natural gas, Propane is HEAVIER than air. Think of water in the bottom of a gas tank. That is how propane acts in air.

Since it is heavier than air, it does not disperse as easily as natural gas. So when propane leaks, it has a tendency to find the lowest point and pool up there.

I leaking propane supply is a lot like a water hose.... the gas (or water) will just find a low spot and accumulate.

Scary stuff if not handled correctly. I now have propane leak detectors in the attic (mounted close to the 'floor' of the attic) and near the actual floor of the house.

Re: Storing Propane
 

Re: Storing Propane
 

Bad move on his part. Propane is heavier than air and sinks to low spots the the bilge of a boat. For that reason it is not allowed on commercial vessels. Too dangerous.:452:

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I was trying to light my propane burner on my coffee pot on my catering truck one time, I pushed the button to many times and the propane pooled and when I hit the lighter, it backdrafted and fried my bangs on my hair. Nothin like working all day with the smell of burned hair and looking like Mo.

We have the small bottles of propane that are about 10 years old and they still work good.

Re: Storing Propane
 

It is safer than gasoline as said above. As long as your tanks are not overfilled they are safe as can be to store. Overfilled tanks can vent off the extra if the Temp. of the tank goes up, direct sunlight will do this. All propane tanks other than 100 pound tanks have a device that will keep them from becoming overfilled. They should always be stored outdoors (not in garage) if they are outdoors and have a leak for what ever reason the gas will be taken away by the wind and pose no risk as long as they are not stored near a heat source.

Re: Storing Propane
 

Collect coleman propane bottles for lanterns, camp stoves, small buddy heaters and hand held blowtorches. Even have a smoker that uses them. They last a long while are portable and can be traded in a SHTF scenario if one has a lot of extra. Im not sure if there may be many places to refill the bigger bottles if things get tight. Careful of CO (carbon monoxide) vapors if using it inside a lot. Many have died from CO poisioning from leaks. A good CO alarm can save ones life.

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I have a connector that refills the little 1 pound tanks, I think I got it form Northern Tool. I have refilled many of my 1 pound tanks 20 plus times. They are great for lanterns and coleman stoves. A good battery run smoke and carbon monoxide detector is a must have item.