[ldj1938]

Originally Posted by Miguel 1952

I would like to keep an extra propane tank for my grill, but where to store it safely. Any suggestions? TIA

I had a customer in Miami that had an extra tank that he kept in the pool area. He did not realize that the tank was leaking. Propane is heavier than air so it laid down a carpet of propane all over the screened in pool area. When he went to light the grill the area exploded killing him and burning their house down. Do not store it inside your house or an enclosed area. Boom!

[Sheldon]

I use Blue Rhino and get a new tank each time I need a fill.

[Worldseries27]

In my career i've responded to thousands of gas leaks, worked on thousands of gas lines using manometers and combustible gas indicators. So please heed this advice. Do not tinker with propane tanks. Exchange them and complain. Any type of flammable gas is life threatening and not worth the potential harm to you or your loved ones.

[JoMar]

AmeriGas recommends tanks should be in a shaded area on a flat surface and not exceed 120 degrees. I always keep a second tank since mine always hits empty half was through the cooking process

[jarodrig]

Operator error !! You’re most likely turning the valve the wrong way as has been previously suggested...

I worked at ACE Hardware for 5 yrs and can’t tell you from experience that what I say is a fact.....stuck valve = customer turning the valve the wrong way !!

[mtdjed]

Originally Posted by jarodrig

Operator error !! You’re most likely turning the valve the wrong way as has been previously suggested...

I worked at ACE Hardware for 5 yrs and can’t tell you from experience that what I say is a fact.....stuck valve = customer turning the valve the wrong way !!

I had a stuck valve this week And I know that to open the valve, you must turn counter clockwise. So here is my story. Refilled my tank this week at Wildwood Ace in morning. Took 3.5 gallons. Supposedly, standard 20 pound tank capacity would take 5 gal. but there is a limit of fill at 80% which would be 4 gal. I think Wildwood Ace uses 3.5 gal as a standard as I had two tanks filled and both were given 3. 5 gallon.

Took tanks home and placed one on grill. Next day around 2 PM, decided to start grill. Grill in direct sun on a 95 D F day. Tried to open valve by turning counter clockwise and it wouldn't budge. Recall, that this was my own tank never having problem before. Pulled tank from under grill so I could get better leverage and it broke free while using two hands. I believe that the filling process chilled the tank and it was morning thus cooler. Seemingly, that would contract the metal and a firm closure at that time might get much tighter in hot sun. Once I got it open and used it, I again closed it, when all was hot. No problem on next opening.

Don't know if that makes sense, but it's my story.

[TheMoyers]

as a marine engineer, I can tell you temps of 110 degrees will not cause brass to malfunction. brass is used extensively in ship engine rooms that often exceed that temp, and in certain places 120 degrees. Even if it did, couplings have nothing to do with the valve itself not working.
Your problem is either in poor quality valves to begin with or as one person stated perhaps turning it the wrong way.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

Originally Posted by TheMoyers

as a marine engineer,

MEBA? what port did you ship out of or ships did you work

just curious. .

thanks

sportsguy

[biker1]

While that is the easiest way to get propane, it is not the lowest cost. Having your tank refilled (I use Ace Hardware in Wildwood) will save you money.

Originally Posted by Sheldon

I use Blue Rhino and get a new tank each time I need a fill.

[Crazyladycruz]

Righty tighty
Lefty Lucy

[Marshaw]

If it's hot try to put a bag of ice over the valve. F that doesn't help it's a different issue

[alwann]

Lots of fine responses. Thanks. I started this thread. For the record:

1. I can read On and Off.
2. I know left from right.
3. I know how to use a wrench (even a metric).
4. If the valve was already open, why would it not close? Same difference.
5. Lowes charged $21 and change to exchange, not $15. Ace would have been cheaper.
6. Icing the valve made no difference.
7. Releasing the pressure made no difference.
8. If two tanks in a row both seized up, mostly likely poor quality as hot brass doesn't seize.
9. Best advice, don't mess with it; exchange it. And always have a spare because failure always happens just as the steaks are ready to cook.