Propane Tank Outdoor Storage

Bronco82 · Feb 10, 2021

Good Day Folks,

I heat my 24 x 24 shop with propane, using 100 pound tanks I bring to Costco for refilling. They have currently been sitting behind the garage, out in the elements, as that is where the plumbing for the heater in the garage is. I am looking to make something to house them, but still keep them available for removal for refilling, and ideally in the winter time warming the tanks up. A tank heater is not an option due to no close plug-ins, and the cost is on the higher side as well. They are in a spot that does get morning sun. At my family hunt camp, we have a small lean-to type shed off the side of the wall that houses the two tanks, and that's what I'm thinking for this, but it would be nice if the tanks could stay warmer in the cold winter snaps we get in northern Ontario. But, also to breathe in the summer type when it's hot out. I don't mind having to add or remove something in the spring and fall, when the temperatures start rising/dropping.

Any and all reasonable thoughts or ideas are welcome.

Thanks in advance.

dougtrr2 · Feb 10, 2021

I realize you may not have an outdoor outlet currently, but if your shop is wired, why can't you just splice into that wiring and put power to your tank shed?

Doug in SW IA

Bronco82 · Feb 10, 2021

The shop is wired, so I suppose I could do that and run a light bulb in it. I don't think I want to do the tank heater thing as they are 550 watts, and to keep that on all the time, would up the hydro bill. Could wire in a 550 watt heater in the garage for the same price and not go through the propane. But the light bulb into a small enclosed shed is an idea, and will keep it a little warmer in there, and then in the spring, unscrew the light bulb.

fidowanttobe · Feb 10, 2021

A loooooong time ago a neighboring farm had an old chest freezer standing on its end for the chicken house propane tank . It too had a bulb in it and its already insulated with a door.
He also used a freezer for a dog house.
Different time and different people.
No, I am NOT suggesting that you do this! :laughing:

kcflhrc · Feb 10, 2021

Why do you feel the need to heat them? I understand building a lean to or something to keep them out of the elements but do they really need heat? My 500 gallon tank is outside, obviously.

gasman1075 · Feb 10, 2021

Bronco82 said:
Good Day Folks,

I heat my 24 x 24 shop with propane, using 100 pound tanks I bring to Costco for refilling. They have currently been sitting behind the garage, out in the elements, as that is where the plumbing for the heater in the garage is. I am looking to make something to house them, but still keep them available for removal for refilling, and ideally in the winter time warming the tanks up. A tank heater is not an option due to no close plug-ins, and the cost is on the higher side as well. They are in a spot that does get morning sun. At my family hunt camp, we have a small lean-to type shed off the side of the wall that houses the two tanks, and that's what I'm thinking for this, but it would be nice if the tanks could stay warmer in the cold winter snaps we get in northern Ontario. But, also to breathe in the summer type when it's hot out. I don't mind having to add or remove something in the spring and fall, when the temperatures start rising/dropping.

Any and all reasonable thoughts or ideas are welcome.

Thanks in advance.

The ambient temperature will affect the vaporization capacity of propane tanks no matter what the size. if you moved them to a sunny area they would have the advantage of that radiant energy on a sunny day. I heat my 2 car garage with 2 100lb cylinders and a 22,000 btu heater. The garage is insulated and sheetrocked and I keep the TSTAT at 35' but have them filled on site when the LP company fills the 500 that supplies LP to my house. Since they aren't filled on site you don't have the same concerns as a permanent installation but any source of ignition ( electrical outlets are sometimes considered such ) within 10 feet of a propane tank is generally not a good idea. If you do enclose them make sure the bottom of the enclosure is open to the elements. Just my opinion.

Bronco82 · Feb 10, 2021

PROPANE AND COLD WEATHER
During the winter months, cold weather can wreak havoc on the propane sitting unprotected in its tank. The temperatures are much too low to allow the propane to sit unaffected. More specifically, freezing temperatures negatively affects propane in two ways.

Propane Depletion
When the temperature drops, propane can be greatly reduced inside the tank. The propane shrinks due to the unforgiving winter cold, leaving an unsuspecting person shocked to find the tank level gauge reads well below what it did before the winter hit. Once this depletion has occurred, the only choice is to refill the tank – wasting precious time and money.
Loss of Tank Pressure
The pressure within a propane tank will drastically drop in cold weather as well. Propane is stored within the tank as a liquid, which is then released through a valve as gas. However, when temperatures drop too low within the tank, right around -44 degree Fahrenheit, the propane no longer has the ability to convert into its gaseous form.
The result? The propane cannot be extracted and sits utterly unusable within the tank.

fried1765 · Feb 10, 2021

kcflhrc said:
Why do you feel the need to heat them? I understand building a lean to or something to keep them out of the elements but do they really need heat? My 500 gallon tank is outside, obviously.

The OP is in Northern Ontario.
Have you ever been to Northern Ontario, in Winter?
Propane will not flow at -44 degrees!