Is old propane still good?

[KIGuy52]

My neighbor has a small Shasta camper with 2 old-style propane tanks. They've been on the camper, completely full, for about 10 years. He said I could have them if I want them. Although I can't get them re-filled, I can still use them until they're empty..the fittings will still work. Just wondering, is the propane in them still good?

 

[ndemge]

Re: Is old propane still good?

Propane can be store indefinitly.<br /><br />Burn it up!

 

[JB]

Re: Is old propane still good?

That stuff was underground as a major component of natural gas for a few bazillion years. If that didn't spoil it, nothing will.

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Is old propane still good?

Probably not a problem with those propane tanks but something to keep in mind ... those tanks have a ‘life’ for a reason. When kept under constant pressure the pressure exerted on all surfaces is equalized, helping to retain the integrity of the metal container. When the valve is opened the pressure across all surfaces is momentarily NOT equal. This is when an old, marginal tank will come apart, when the valve is first opened. If there is severe rusting anywhere on the outside of the tanks, I’d pass on them altogether if they are full/max pressure. If the paint still looks good, I’d go for it. Fwiw, metal tanks stored under full pressure lose their elasticity. That’s why they can’t be refilled without recertifying and they often won’t pass hydrostatic testing.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Is old propane still good?

Not unless they were treated with stabil first!!

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Is old propane still good?

Originally posted by 18rabbit:<br /> they can’t be refilled

Maybe some truth to your statement, but pressure might not be the right word here. LPG BOILS at a certain temp (can't remember off hand..-20?), so what inside as a liquid is much different than the boiling you see coming out of the valve when you open it. Same as water will increase multi times into a gas (steam). I'm not sure how much pressure is needed to keep propane gas in a liquid state, but I will find out. I convert old tanks to compressed air storage/containers, and probably put more pressure in than the propane ever will. I am also a welder, and those tanks are tough. Fact is, I have never heard of a propane tank blowing up unless in a major fire. Propane fillers will NOT fill an old rusty tank. Or any damaged tank either. If these tanks are rusty all over, take them to a reclaim center or propane dealer. I mean REAL rusty. Anything else, use them up. And the reason for the Westcoast change is a need for regulating over filling, (and increasing revenue with tank exchange!), so new tanks are replacing old ones without OFR valves. Outside above ground portable tanks here in Washington are numerous, and many ancient, with a bazillion up and downs on pressure. And the tank on my grill is probably 15 years old, and the old type, because I refill it with a transfer hose I made up. Take a full new style tank, and make two half full ones. I just don't use the grill enough for justifying a new tank, and being a tinkerer, thats my job. One word of caution. You think gas is cold on your skin, propane will freeze and cause frostbite in ONE SECOND. Wear welders or thick heavy leathers gloves when ever connecting tanks. Watch the guy and see what he does when he fills your tank. Gloveless is stupid.

 

[KIGuy52]

Re: Is old propane still good?

Thanks guys. It now makes perfect sense to me why propane won't go bad. The tanks look ok, just a little surface rust. I used one last night for my garage heater and it worked fine. After they're empty, I'll take them to the dump.

 

[cpj]

Re: Is old propane still good?

kiguy, dont take em to the dump.you can more than likely have the valve changed to the new style. had mine changed for about 12 bucks a few years back.dont know what they would charge to recetify them but it might be worth a shot.just my .02

 

[one more cast]

Re: Is old propane still good?

Don't take them to the dump! send them to BONDO.

 

[NBE]

Re: Is old propane still good?

Well, down here they have these places where you can exchange an empty bottle for a full one (rather than have the empty refilled) for somewhere around 12 - 15 dollars. They will take the old type connection as an exchange and you get the new type connection on the full bottle. I'm thinking that is the way I would go, rather than have the valve changed out on an old tank.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is old propane still good?

Originally posted by One More Cast:<br /> Don't take them to the dump! send them to BONDO.

Ayuh,............ <br /><br />I'm now working on a Project I started a few years ago,........<br />With the Price of keeping Warm this year,... i decided to move this project to the Top of the Projects List...........<br /><br />My Soon to Be Outdoor Wood Boiler,.........<br />I'll post a few more pic.s later.........<br />Ayuh,......The Firebox Is an Old Propane Tank ,................... <br />

 

[KIGuy52]

Re: Is old propane still good?

Brad E..Those propane exchange places are everywhere around here. Nearly every convenience store and gas station has one. Most of them charge more if you turn in an old style tank though. I have 3 of those old tanks. Bondo..if you want them, they're out there by my garage.

 

[wannagofishin]

Re: Is old propane still good?

Bondo,<br /><br />It doesn't matter how long you boil that wood, it still won't be edible.

 

[KIGuy52]

Re: Is old propane still good?

Originally posted by D. Mumford:<br /> Bondo,<br /><br />It doesn't matter how long you boil that wood, it still won't be edible.

Makes pretty good soup though.

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: Is old propane still good?

That wouldn't be a beer keg in front of that thing would it Bondo?

 

[Scaaty]

Re: Is old propane still good?

Originally posted by Bondo:<br /> I'm now working on a Project I started a few years ago,........

Do you "initial" all your artwork, or is that your official signature, so no one will copy it from ya?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is old propane still good?

quote:<br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Originally posted by D. Mumford:<br />Bondo,<br /><br />It doesn't matter how long you boil that wood, it still won't be edible. <br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------<br /><br />Makes pretty good soup though. <br />

Ayuh,...... Well it depends on Which Spieces of Wood....... <br />

That wouldn't be a beer keg in front of that thing would it Bondo?

Nope,....... That's My Anvil.............<br />

Do you "initial" all your artwork, or is that your official signature, so no one will copy it from ya?

Initial,.??... Nope,....... I Sign My Work with Alloy Welding Rod.......<br />After All,.......... Isn't that what True Artists Do,..???.............

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: Is old propane still good?

UNDER the anvil Bondo...UNDER the anvil...Don't try and kid us...we see it

 

[Bondo]

Re: Is old propane still good?

OOOhhhhhhhh,.........<br />You mean the SSteel round thing that says "Labatts" on it,...????............ <br /><br />Ayuh,..... I'm thinking it'll make a nice Gas Tank or something,...........<br />It Really Doesn't make a very good Anvil base,........<br />When you Wack It Really Hard,..........The RING is Nearly Painful.........................

 

[18rabbit]

Re: Is old propane still good?

So Bondo, what’s the ‘lawyer capacity’ of that thing? How many lawyers can you get in there?<br />