Does Propane go bad?

[HawkinsHollow]

I have a 100 pound tank that I inherited with my property 4 years ago. No idea how long it had been sitting there before I bought the place. It has maybe 40 pounds of propane in it. My gut tells me that I am good to use it, but my question is... Does propane go bad? Discuss!

 

[kennyd]

No, it does not go bad.

 

[rademamj1]

The propane should be just fine. Propane can last years. But do a visual on the tank to insure no rust and good integrity of the tanks valve.

 

[Fxfymn413]

But do a visual on the tank to insure no rust and good integrity of the tanks valve.

Especially the tank bottom.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Thanks y'all! Yeah tank looks fine, but I will inspect bottom closer to make sure.

 

[joeyd]

How old is the tank? If you inherited it the tank may be many years old.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

It can't be that old, because it is in pretty decent shape. I've had it 4 years and quickly got it out of the weather.

 

[IrishLoader]

It can't be that old, because it is in pretty decent shape. I've had it 4 years and quickly got it out of the weather.

Wish I could say the same, I have two 100 pounders on my property left by the former owner. Might have to hike up there and take a gander at them. ;-)

 

[mikester]

If you are a fuel seller then yes it goes bad..and you need to buy a new tank every 10 years.

 

[Fxfymn413]

If you are a fuel seller then yes it goes bad..and you need to buy a new tank every 10 years.

You can also get the tank recertified. Most folks just don't bother and just buy a replacement at a higher cost than recertification.

 

[oosik]

I've never heard of propane going bad for a homeowner. I do know if it gets cold enough ( below -44F ) the propane will remain in liquid form and not produce vapor pressures. Our 100# propane tank was in a small enclosure with a heat lamp when we lived in Glennallen, AK. On with the heat lamp - wait five minuets - the gas kitchen stove would then work. The tank would begin loosing pressure around -15F.

 

[RalphVa]

The industry uses propane often for 6 years or more between turnarounds (maintenance shutdowns). It does not degrade.

Propylene might react with other things, but propane is pretty much inert. Again, industry uses closed circuit propylene refrigeration for 6 years or more with no problems and going through rather extreme temperature cycles from -40 F up to about 220 F.

 

[5030]

They aren't 'tanks' anyway. The correct term is 'Bottle'. Tanks are always non pressurized containers. Bottles are pressurized. Here in the states you get them recertified every 10 years (just like pressurized welding and medical gas bottles). Tanks don't require any certifications other that be built to ASTM specs prior to sale.

 

[oosik]

No, no - tanks are for liquids,etc - - bottles are for fine whiskeys.

 

[gasman1075]

100LB cylinders is the correct term. A DOT cylinder is sold by the weight so a 100LB cylinder holds about 23 lbs of propane propane weighs 4.23 lbs / gallon. An ASME tank / vessel is sold by the gallons. Tanks are a pressurized vessel built to ASME standards. The relief valves for DOT vs ASME have different set points.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

They aren't 'tanks' anyway. The correct term is 'Bottle'. Tanks are always non pressurized containers. Bottles are pressurized. Here in the states you get them recertified every 10 years (just like pressurized welding and medical gas bottles). Tanks don't require any certifications other that be built to ASTM specs prior to sale

That is why they call them SCUBA bottles right?

 

[5030]

That is why they call them SCUBA bottles right?

Depends on who you talk to... All I did was put down the correct terms as they relate to tanks and bottles. I really don't care one way or another what you call them.

Like the venerable 'Crescent Wrench' Not a Crescent Wrench but an adjustable open end wrench. Crescent is the name of a Tool company.

Kind of like all the different names for a turd.....

 

[5030]

No, no - tanks are for liquids,etc - - bottles are for fine whiskeys.

Don't know, don't consume alcohol.

 

[ljjhouser]

NO. Well, unless you burn it.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Depends on who you talk to... All I did was put down the correct terms as they relate to tanks and bottles. I really don't care one way or another what you call them.

Like the venerable 'Crescent Wrench' Not a Crescent Wrench but an adjustable open end wrench. Crescent is the name of a Tool company.

Kind of like all the different names for a turd.....

Exactly!! Then why comment?