Advice re Gas Grill
 

I’m considering getting a propane gas grill but our CYV gets the sun all day on the patio. I’m concerned about the heat & propane canister in the super hot summer months. I could get a smaller portable grill on wheels & store it in the garage but I’m just wondering if anyone else has had similar concerns. Thank you.

The key is not direct sun light, keeping the tank under 120 degrees...........lots of good info out on Google.

we have kept ours on the patio outside for over 10 years. keep a quality cover on the grill when not in use, have never had any problems.

Ask yourself a question. When was the last time you heard of a BBQ propane tank exploding? The fact is you haven't because it isn't something that happens.

All a hot propane tank will do is raise the internal tank pressure. The tank will start venting when it hits about 375 PSI. Normal pressure on full tank on a 100 degree day is about 175psi. Even at 125 degrees in Death Valley, it probably won't start venting. No amount of sunlight in Florida is going to cause that.

Put your grill wherever you'd like and don't worry about it blowing up. If it starts hissing, look for the bonfire that it's sitting on, and put that out first :)

I dang) sure wouldn’t store it in the garage!

weber is the best all round gas grill , and get the 3 burner one .

So are you saying the weber has a safer propane tank than others???

Not a problem, our birdcage faces southwest and get lots of direct sunlight and we have never had an issue. Grill on : )

Thank you everyone for your replies! Much appreciated.

To make your grill last longer, you should definitely get a cover. They're only about $25 to $50 and that alone will keep the direct sun off the tank. I have a CYV that faces east and my backyard gets sun all afternoon, so it's shaded in the morning by the house but gets sun afternoon, no problems in almost 10 years.

One tip is to buy two tanks, nothing worse then to be in the middle of grilling something and you're tank runs out.They're about $30 each at Ace Hardware. I'm not a big fan of Blue Rhino and taking tanks back and forth, you never know what tank you're going to get, something old and beat up, and you have to hassle with Lowes or someone else. Living in the south area, I use the Ace Hardware in the Wildwood Shopping Center, just drive your car around the back and leave the tank, they're usually an attendant there. He'll fill them up and you pay by the weight, when one runs out, you got a couple of months to get it filled because you're using the other tank.

Our tank sits under the M/B window and we have had only 3 tanks blow up but that's why we have insurance. Picking up the pieces of siding and all my wife's clothes from our neighbors yard every year or so is a bit of a nuisance though. Our neighbor called the 2 ladies in a golf cart (with the clip boards) to report us as a nuisance but it isn't in our deed restrictions so they didn't show up. After the 3rd time we switched to a pellet smoker now they complain about the smell of wood but we just drop a rack of ribs at their front door and they don't bother us anymore.

Check with propane tank sellers. I believe theirs sit outside.

The make of the grill makes no difference. Propane tanks have safety devices and haven't been a problem since the 1960's. There is more chance of damage from food flaring up and starting a fire.

I agree with having a second tank and I also prefer to own my own tank but the replaceable tank companies test and inspect every tank that is returned to them before refilling by law. They are probably safer than those owned. When you get yours refilled, the refilling company is supposed to check the date of the tank and it's condition and refuse to refill it if it has expired or shows sign of problems.

Don't be afraid to leave it in direct sun light. They are all painted white to prevent them from absorbing heat. Just think about all the houses across the country that use propane for their fuel for heat, cooking, etc.. The tanks are on pads just outside the house.

the propane tank is not part of the weber name. they have nothing to do with each other. The regulator that attaches to the propane tank is part of the weber grill

No I am sure they are just recommending a grill to buy. Weber is by far the best, we have had one for a decade and it is still in great shape.

Gas grill safety
 

My last two homes covering 30 years has had a pool or patio with Southern exposure so tank in the sun all day. These tanks are constructed with a large pressure reserve. They are also taken out of service to be recertified on a regular basis.

Thank you everyone for your replies & helpful advice!

Thank goodness for sanity .... no worries about propane grills exploding ... sleep well.

Tanks
 

No problem with the sun. Also get the second tank in case you run out during a cooking session. We have the tabletop webber for the last 20 years. When it needs it I spray oven cleaner on the interior and scrub off.

Propane science
 

Here is something to consider, I worked in the propane sector for many years. The propane in the bottle is under enough pressure to keep it in a liquid state. It’s kept from leaking out by the valve threaded into the bottle and valve “ packing” around the valve stem. Both these are leak tight to the liquid propane. The valve packing can leak only if the propane vaporizes( turns to a gas state in the bottle). At your barbecue it turns to gas because it passed through a regulator, which took the pressure off the liquid allowing it to vaporize.
The propane in the bottle while under pressure takes one of two things to happen in order to vaporize 1) propane boils at -42C or F same at that temperature roughly, with no pressure on it, or 2) it’s has to be over pressured due to extreme heat, 392F would also cause vaporization. Pretty sure your not going to see either in The Villages. Never store inside, the valve packings can leak on a worn or faulty bottle. If you want to check for leaks, do a “ snoop test” , just put a little liquid soap in a cup of water, mix gently don’t foam up. Use a small squirt bottle and wet liberally around the valve stem, and watch for any bubbles being formed. The liquid water/soap mixture should just lay flat and look wet if there are no leaks. Bubbles indicate a small leak. Little side fact, propane when made at a refinery does not smell. For public safety reasons a stinky high Sulphur compound known as “mercaptan” is added in parts per billion to ensure you can smell propane if there is a leak. Enjoy your steak!

No problem being in the sun at all, retired ff

I’ve had my gas grill on the small porch off of my lanai, which is the southwest corner, For a couple of years now. Tank integrity not an issue and I’m assuming that the construction standards can handle just about any earth surface temperature there is.

cover the grill with a cover that will cover the propane tank. it will keep the direct sun off it. I bought a Blackstone Griddle instead of a BBQ and love it. Much more versatile. check it out

I've left my tanks in the Florida sun for 40 years. No problem yet. They are white tanks, that helps, and under pressure so stays liquid. If it was a problem we would have heard by now. Also. Buy a grill cover. Grills last longer and tank protected from sun.

NFPA 58 prohibits the storage of propane cylinders larger than 2.5lbs in a garage.

If you have a gas stove you can run a line and get natural gas configured grill. Easy and convenient!

Sun block 10k⁴ x e= safe
 

Have no fear. Buy a cover and you will be fine
drive past lowes and you will see dozens of filled tanks sun 🌞 tanning

Lng cousin
 

very good description. I remember my lng days in brooklyn where the barges delivered liquefied natural gas frozen hundreds of degrees below zero to specialized holders which stored them until needed.

What is a CYV?

First as a retired firefighter NEVER EVER STORE PROPANE INSIDE.

Second as long as you have a grill cover you should have no issues with it being in sunlight. When they fill a LPG tank it's done by weight to allow for vapor expansion. Tanks also have built in relief valves. If you think you're ever having a propane issue get well away from the tank, do not operate anything in the immediate area like lights, garage door opener, cell phone do not transport it anywhere and call 911from a neighbors house or yard.

Sun block recommended
 

courtyard villa. Usually surrounded by rear privacy wall and fencing.

Nobody asked

Natural Gas Hookup
 

If you live in an area where natural gas service is available, consider having a line installed for your grill....and don't forget to change the jets on the grill if you do. Never have to worry about refilling tanks!

Definitely not an expert on propane but I have certainly observed large home improvement places as far south as Coral Gables with huge stores of filled tanks sitting in the intense heat all day, day after day.... they must know it is not dangerous would be my guess !

Very true ! Sure wish we had incorporated that when we built ! We "thought" we had really planned out every detail but...that's one we missed. Have you priced that as an after thought ? WOW is it expensive ! Sadly, have to stick with hauling the take to Ace and back...LOL !

No concern. Think about all the tanks stored in storage area in states like Arizona
It is not a concern. Get the grill of your choice and enjoy.

Yes, but, aren't you still "..taking tanks back and forth.." plus waiting for them to be filled?
If you don't like the condition of the Blue Rhino tank offered; they will give you a different one.
We have mutiple tanks but still enjoy the Blue Rhino convience.
TEHO I guess.:popcorn:

You can just remove the tank when you are not using it. This will prevent it from getting heat on it all day and it will prevent any gas leakage. Also it is not a common thing that tanks that sit in the sun will have any issue as they are meant to withstand some heat. In Florida it doesnt get that hot even in direct sunlight.