Propane Tanks + Extreme Temperatures

[Doctor Z]

So, as most of you probably don't remember, I started a thread around the end of last summer asking where I could find a propane tank for my grill within the 5 boroughs. I eventually traveled outside the city (to... Yonkers), and got myself a tank. Grilling was done, laughs were shared, good times were had. That was roughly around last September. As an apartment dweller my whole life, I'm new to the whole propane tank thing, so now I have a question...
I never took the thing inside. I've had this propane tank sitting out on my terrace through the entire winter... snow storms, sub-zero temperatures, the works. Given that this is a contents under quite some pressure, is it dangerous that it's been subject to such extreme temperatures? When it gets warm again and I turn it on, will it explode in my face and leave me burning alive in a firey pool of gasoline? ...Or is leaving a propane tank out in extreme weather not a big deal?

[TheMojoPin]

I agree, researching something as rarely used and unknown as propane on the internet would be a nearly impossible task, and not at all worth the 5 seconds it would take.

[epo]

The propane tank is fine. Grill away any damn time you like.

[Team_Ramrod]

No, You're fine. On site here they are sitting outside at -40 (or lower) temperatures.
The Propane in them gels up, that's about it. It's not an issue for you cause you're not using it when it's that cold.

Just leave it outside, it will be okay.

Don't store it in doors though.... but you seem to already know that.

[drjoek]

Couldn't find a propane tank in the 5 boroughs? What a yuppie! Come out to the burbs once in a while!:lol:

In answer to your querry Propane tanks outside are fine no matter how harsh the weather. Many people living in northern climates heat there homes with propane will have big white tanks outside in the most God awful of weather that you city slickers wouldnt survive So worry not about the propane tank.

[DiabloSammich]

I agree, researching something as rarely used and unknown as propane on the internet would be a nearly impossible task, and not at all worth the 5 seconds it would take.


Mojo brings up a good point. And after you Google propane, Google diesel + fertilizer, Mein Kampf, and Terrorism for Dummies.

[Doctor Z]

I agree, researching something as rarely used and unknown as propane on the internet would be a nearly impossible task, and not at all worth the 5 seconds it would take.

L0L

[Doctor Z]

Oh, and thanks to the kind people who actually answered the question!

[lleeder]

will it explode in my face and leave me burning alive in a firey pool of gasoline? ...Or is leaving a propane tank out in extreme weather not a big deal?

If it explodes into a pool of gasoline that would be odd since its filled with propane.

[Nothing Sound]

At one time I had a gas clothes dryer, but there was no natural gas in the house that I bought.
I converted the dryer to propane, changed the regulator and orifice and kept the 20lb propane tank
right next to the dryer in my laundry room. I did that for 7 years without ever having a problem.

[Death Metal Moe]

At one time I had a gas clothes dryer, but there was no natural gas in the house that I bought.
I converted the dryer to propane, changed the regulator and orifice and kept the 20lb propane tank
right next to the dryer in my laundry room. I did that for 7 years without ever having a problem.

What happened in year 8?

[lleeder]

What happened in year 8?

The house blew up.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v307/redhare4712/Mafia/noXkill/20061009house_explosion.jpg

[Death Metal Moe]

Just to back up what's already been said, propane is fine in lower temps. I filled tanks all winter where I worked and it just moves slower.

The only thing I would recommend it making sure your tank stays relativly rust free and undented. You should never have a problem with it.

[Kris10]

Mojo brings up a good point. And after you Google propane, Google diesel + fertilizer, Mein Kampf, and Terrorism for Dummies.

This was hysterical to me!

[DiabloSammich]

This was hysterical to me!


Thanks! Let's go ex-punching!

[Doctor Z]

If it explodes into a pool of gasoline that would be odd since its filled with propane.

NEVER QUESTION BRUCE DICKENSON!

[Nothing Sound]

At one time I had a gas clothes dryer, but there was no natural gas in the house that I bought.
I converted the dryer to propane, changed the regulator and orifice and kept the 20lb propane tank
right next to the dryer in my laundry room. I did that for 7 years without ever having a problem.

What happened in year 8?

I moved to a house that had natural gas.

[Kris10]

Thanks! Let's go ex-punching!

OMG, I'd love to! Lets call it a date cause mine is convinced I'm seeing someone, like it matters at this point! I'll supply the booze!

[SatCam]

Dude do NOT leave your propane tank outside during the winter! I had a cousin who moved into a new place, had a propane bbq out on the deck. When winter rolled around, the tank expanded and ended up exploding. It knocked all the windows out on the back of his house and the fire dept said had someone been home they probably wouldnt have lived to talk about it. His homeowners insurance wouldnt pay because apparently everyone knows that you're not suppose to keep propane tanks outside during winter.

Did you know the columbine kids planned on planting two propane tanks in the school's cafeteria? Their plan was to cover the tanks with a bag of dry ice until they exploded, achieving the same effect as above. Had they gone through with it, the death toll wouldve been a lot higher.

Hope that helps.

[Mike Teacher]

Dude do NOT leave your propane tank outside during the winter! I had a cousin who moved into a new place, had a propane bbq out on the deck. When winter rolled around, the tank expanded and ended up exploding. It knocked all the windows out on the back of his house and the fire dept said had someone been home they probably wouldnt have lived to talk about it. His homeowners insurance wouldnt pay because apparently everyone knows that you're not suppose to keep propane tanks outside during winter.

Did you know the columbine kids planned on planting two propane tanks in the school's cafeteria? Their plan was to cover the tanks with a bag of dry ice until they exploded, achieving the same effect as above. Had they gone through with it, the death toll wouldve been a lot higher.

Hope that helps.

The Columbine psychopaths did bring two propane bombs in, and they failed to go off.

Storing it outside is fine; its stored that way across the USA no problem.

Storing gas tanks inside a building; even the garage isnt so good. Nitrogen is a harmless gas, until you open up the valve on a tank of it, killing everyone in the room as it relaces the air that had oxygen in it.

[Sarge]

Dude do NOT leave your propane tank outside during the winter! I had a cousin who moved into a new place, had a propane bbq out on the deck. When winter rolled around, the tank expanded and ended up exploding. It knocked all the windows out on the back of his house and the fire dept said had someone been home they probably wouldnt have lived to talk about it. His homeowners insurance wouldnt pay because apparently everyone knows that you're not suppose to keep propane tanks outside during winter.

Did you know the columbine kids planned on planting two propane tanks in the school's cafeteria? Their plan was to cover the tanks with a bag of dry ice until they exploded, achieving the same effect as above. Had they gone through with it, the death toll wouldve been a lot higher.

Hope that helps.

I've been a fireman for 20 years and never heard of this happening before, that being said I am not an expert on propane. If the propane is contained to the tank, and the tank is heated, it does not explode in the sense that vapors explode. The propane in the tank is liquid, and begins to boil, and a B.L.E.V.E. (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion) occurs. I've never heard of cold temperatures doing this, I've only seen problems with regulators, and fittings failing due to rubber components and O- rings causing leaks, and sometimes fire.

[SatCam]

I've been a fireman for 20 years and never heard of this happening before, that being said I am not an expert on propane. If the propane is contained to the tank, and the tank is heated, it does not explode in the sense that vapors explode. The propane in the tank is liquid, and begins to boil, and a B.L.E.V.E. (Boiling Liquid Expanding Vapor Explosion) occurs. I've never heard of cold temperatures doing this, I've only seen problems with regulators, and fittings failing due to rubber components and O- rings causing leaks, and sometimes fire.

I made that entire post up

[Sarge]

Thank God, I thought this was something new, and we would have to sit through countless hours of mindnumbing training on it.

[Stedman]

kinda unrelated but its also not a good idea to fill up a flat tire with refrigerant then drive on it during the summer.

I work with a guy who i swear is half a retard and he used R-22 to fill up a spare tire and then got to drive almost 4 miles on it before it got warm enough that it violently exploded nearly killing him and another passerby.

[topless_mike]

you can keep the propane outside in the winter, and in the shade (if you can) in the summer.

your tank is fine. just periodically check it- if you see freezing on it (think italian ice), that means its leaking and that is not healthy.

also- check something out. i know in nj, having a propane tank in an multi-family building (apartment or condo complex) is illegal. dont see how the city would be any different.

[Judge Smails]

25 posts in and not one Hank Hill reference? Pfffffffftttt.

[Chigworthy]

I always "de-winterize" propane tanks by warming them in the fireplace, to "speed up" the gas.




















Joke.