I’ve got several of these empty steel propane tanks from heating the chicken coop during the recent cold weather before I got an adapter to run the heater off of a larger refillable tank. Any ideas on what they could be repurposed for?
Seems like there should be some use for them besides tossing them in the recycling. I’d assume I’d need to poke a hole in them before recycling since they are/were pressure vessels.
I know there are adapters out there to refill them but now that I can use a larger, more easily refillable, tank I don’t really have any inclination to do so.
My only thought so far was to cut the top off, drill some holes, and make a little stick burning camp stove. But, that’s not something I’ll ever use.
I’ve got a fairly extensive workshop and metal working tools so pretty much everything is on the table. I can even do really shitty welding if required.
I refill and reuse mine, I got an adapter I can use a grill tank to fill them up with and take them camping for my lantern and camp grill
Under no circumstances should you puncture the container. It’s still a pressure vessel with flammable gas in it and will explode if you try.
You’re not my supervisor!
Put propane in them
They sell the adapter on the tiktok shop Weirdly enough haha.
Turn it into a big ass flask, they can’t arrest you for drinking good 'ol clean burning propane, I tell ya hwat
Given that alchohol could concievably be a fuel, you might have something there.
They’re fun to use as shooting targets, just do it at 100+ yards
Use refillable ones like Flame King. They cost about $20 and can be refilled safely for around $2 per fill. If you’re near Sports Basement and are a member, they will refill them for free within some limits.
Dude. Literally the first sentence of the body text…
Nothing. It’s why they are being phased out. recycle them at any place that sells propane tanks.
They’ve always been refillable with an adapter from the hardware store but it’s an enormous pain, so few people bother. I’ve always hoped Coleman would start an exchange program at REI or somewhere similar.
If I recall, the adapter hooked to a grill tank but to fill the green cans you had to have the larger tank above the smaller one and it’s impractical for most people.
And upside down, and that will still only fill it 2/3 or 3/4…
I’ve read tricks like chilling the cylinders. And depressing the Schrader valves. But some sound pretty sketchy.
I hadn’t heard that. What are they being replaced with?
Reusable ones. Looks like it’s only California: https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/other/camping-with-propane-canisters-in-california-is-set-to-change-how-to-choose-what-to-buy-now/
California (only so far) banned specifically disposable propane tanks of any size.
Small propane canisters will still be available, but they must provide provisions for being refilled and reused. Which is fine by me, I always hate throwing the steel tanks out at the end of a camping season and usually try to refill them if I can.
It would be nice to refill them instead of taking 5 partials left over from previous trips.
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We always used them for target practice. They need to be punctured for disposal anyways, you know when you hit one, and They’re about the right size for sighting in on a 100yd range.
I remember looking into this once before but with CO2 tanks, I had an idea of cutting them off at different heights or levels to make bells out of them. I’m pretty sure sound wise it would be pretty hit or miss but worth a try.
Don’t fuck around with pressure vessels. It’s seriously dangerous.
Or don’t be a pussy and blow them up with tanerite
What about exploring using your metalworking skills artistically? Maybe some interesting sculptural possibilities.
Important! Before you drill, cut, puncture or do anything with them you need to remove the residual gas or they may explode on you!
- obtain or make a valve tool for propane cylinder valves (check youtube).
- screw on a torch head and try to light it to burn off as much as you can EVEN WHEN THE TORCH WONT LIGHT THERE IS STILL PROPANE IN THE CYLINDER
- outside in a well ventilated area remove the torch and press the center valve in to verify that pressure is equalized
- look for the fill valve off center on the top, using the valve tool remove the valve.
- fill the cylinder ALL THE WAY with water, this will force out any remaining gas.
- the cylinder should now be safe to work on
This guy Propane’s, I tell you whut.
Wonder hwut he thinks of butane.
I tell you wut, I prefer propane and propane accessories
In my country if you get bottled gas supplied on contract, the cylinders usually remain the property of the supplier. They’d’ take them back and recycle, or the vendor should take them and pass them back.
These are tiny portable 0.5kg cylinders, e.g as a cooking fuel while camping. Not larger bbq or house supply tanks.
I’d punch through the neck, fill with lamp oil, put candle wicks in there.
I do that with cool bottles, but you could strip the label and paint, do something creative.
Here you take them back and you get a discount off the next one.