For some, the outdoor barbeque is their summertime BFF. You know how it goes: you spend a lot of time with somebody, you develop a pattern with them… and over time, you begin to overlook the minor nuances.
And, like in all friendships, a little effort is required to make things right. This necessitates routine maintenance of your grill’s heart and soul: the propane tank. Add these pointers to your seasonal checklist, and your outdoor barbecues will be safe and reliable for years to come.
Check the propane tank’s expiration date.
Make this the first item on your summer grilling prep list. Propane does not “get bad” in and of itself, but the tanks do. The deterioration of a propane tank can be caused by general wear and tear, exposure to corrosive elements, physical impact, or other damage. Federal regulations specify how long a propane tank (including your barbecue tank) can be used safely before it must be checked and recertified or replaced.
A sequence of letters and numbers are stamped on the collar of every propane tank (the round piece at the top of the tank). These acronyms keep track of information including pressure capacity, the Department of Transportation code the cylinder complies with, water content, and more. The dates to look for while checking for expiration are:
- Date of Production The date the cylinder was created is stamped in the format “MM YY” (for example, 05 11). It’s time to replace it if the manufacture date is before 2011 (it’s currently 2021).
- Date of the retest After these phrases, there may be a date imprinted, indicating a previous tank recertification.
Most propane grill tanks must be recertified or replaced every 10 years following the date of manufacture, according to federal requirements. So, if Obama was still president when you checked your propane tank’s expiration date, it’s time to give it another look; it might be time to replace your grill’s tank with a new one.
Recycle Responsibly.
What do you do with a propane grill tank that has expired or has been damaged? It’s a typical question, along with “Can I use an expired propane tank till it’s gone?” We understand that you don’t want to waste propane, but the short answer is “no.” We never recommend using a propane tank that is damaged or expired for your safety.
Similarly, you could worry, “Can I recycle my barbecue tank if there’s still propane in it?” That’s a trickier question to answer. Most recycling centers will not accept the cylinders because they contain combustible material that might be harmful if it leaks into the air.
What should I do with an old propane tank?
1. What should you do if your propane tank has run out?
When those 12 years are over, you have the option of replacing the tank or having it inspected for requalification for another five years of use.
2. What is the expiration date of the propane tank?
The date of manufacturing or requalification of a propane tank is stamped on its collar. It will be written in a month-year format, such as 06-21 for June 2021.
3. How should old propane tanks be disposed of?
Propane tanks with a volume of 100 pounds or less have a 12-year shelf life from the date of manufacturing. When those 12 years are over, you have the option of replacing the tank or having it inspected for requalification for another five years of use.
4. What is the average lifespan of a tank?
Propane tanks with a volume of 100 pounds or less have a 12-year shelf life from the date of manufacturing.
5. Do all tanks have an expiration date?
Large propane tanks used for residential heating and hot water are restricted by federal container restrictions in most states. According to the legislation, a propane tank can only be filled by the owner or someone authorized to act on their behalf. In practice, this means that the majority of household propane users lease their tank from a fuel supplier, who is responsible for keeping track of the tank’s expiration date.
6. Where can I have my propane tanks recertified?
What can I do with an old propane tank weighing 20 pounds?
Many landfills, recycling centers, and scrap metal dealers will not accept unwanted tanks for recycling due to the likelihood of propane remaining in the tank. However, certain propane exchange firms, such as Blue Rhino, will gladly accept and recycle your unused propane cylinders at no cost to you.
How long do propane tanks last after they’ve been recertified?
How long do propane tanks last? A bottle is certified for 12 years in the United States and 10 years in Canada from the date of manufacture. Depending on the manner and kind of recertification, a recertified tank is good for 5, 7, or 12 years.
Do residential propane tanks have an expiration date?
Propane does not have an expiration date. Propane, unlike other fuels, does not “go bad” or lose its effectiveness over time. So, no matter how long your propane tank has been empty, you can keep using it.
Is it true that propane tanks can explode?
Although propane is flammable and can cause an explosion, a propane-LPG tank explosion is extremely unusual. Propane tanks (gas cylinders) can explode, however this does not happen frequently. It is extremely difficult for a propane tank to explode.
What does a propane tank’s date indicate?
Spring will arrive sooner than you think. That means more time outside, blooming flowers, and, of course, grilling.
Before you light up your grill for the season, there are a few things you should know about the propane tank.
Look carefully at the date stamped on the tank’s top. That was the year your tank received its certification. If your propane tank was certified more than 12 years ago, propane suppliers will not fill it.
It’s a precautionary measure. Leaks, rust, punctures, and other safety issues may exist in old tanks. Expiration dates also verify that your tank has received the most recent valve safety update.
You have two options if your tank is running out of gas. You may be able to recertify the tank depending on its safety features and the date of initial certification. This gives it another five years before it expires.
How do I get rid of propane tanks in my neighborhood?
Contact a propane supplier or your local household hazardous waste collection center to dispose of smaller tanks that are broken or unusable. Empty propane tanks, propane cylinders, and propane bottles may be disposed of with regular household trash in some localities or according to local restrictions.
In California, how do you get rid of propane tanks?
Households should dispose of their used cylinders at Household Hazardous Waste collection centers. Compressed gas cylinders that aren’t completely empty should not be thrown away.
In a propane tank, how much gas is there?
It’s grilling season, yay! What’s the first thing you’re going to make? What about burgers and hot dogs? Barbecued chicken, perhaps? Kebabs? If you don’t have enough propane in your gas grill cylinder, the only thing you’ll be doing is ordering takeout.
But how can you know how much propane is left? Because most 20-pound propane grill cylinders do not come with a gauge, it can be difficult. But don’t worry, we’ve got some advice for you!
The warm water trick
This is a simple and safe method of determining how much propane is remaining in your cylinder. Here’s how it’s done:
Is it possible to get to the summit of that cool spot? That’s where your propane cylinder’s fill level is. This works because the heat from the water is absorbed by the liquid propane within your gas cylinder. The cylinder’s metal becomes chilly to the touch as a result of this.
Weigh the tank
There should be two numbers stamped on the handle of your propane BBQ cylinder if you look closely. One is for water capacity, and the other is for “W.C.” The other is for tare weight, or the weight of nothing “TW” The weight of the cylinder when it is empty is known as the tare weight. When empty, most propane grill cylinders weigh around 17 pounds and store roughly 20 pounds of propane.
This figure will indicate how much propane is remaining in the cylinder. If your tank weighs 26 pounds and has a tare weight of 17 pounds, you have around 9 pounds of gas left. That’s a little more than half of a tank.
Install an external gauge
An external gauge for your propane grill cylinder can be found at most hardware and home improvement stores, or you may get one from Amazon. There are a few options available to you:
- Analog propane scales, which resemble luggage scales at airports and are pre-programmed to account for your tank’s tare weight.
- Installed between the gas line from the grill and the cylinder’s cutoff valve are inline pressure gauges. These gauge the cylinder’s fullness by measuring pressures.
- Digital propane cylinder scales not only provide you a digital display of the gas fill percentage in your cylinder, but they also give you an estimate of the remaining cook time. Some even have apps that you can download to your smartphone!
Frank Lamparelli’s propane cylinder kiosk makes it easy
To purchase a full propane barbeque cylinder, you don’t have to wait for your local home improvement store, hardware store, or convenience store to open. You can restock your propane cylinder supply at our self-service propane cylinder kiosk at 1026 Turnpike St. in Canton, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You have the option of exchanging your empty cylinder for a full one or purchasing a new one.
When it comes to propane tanks, how can you know if they’ve been recertified?
Date of Propane Tank Certification Examine the metal collar of your propane tank, which is the highest section closest to the valve, to determine the certification date. This item should have a date imprinted on it.