What to do with a rusty leaking partially filled propane tank

[Domo]

Just to inform you since that rude inappropriate rif was at me:
If you have a gas grill propane tank that you no longer need and would like to recycle it, write "RECYCLE" on the tank and take it to any Blue Rhino location. Blue Rhino will collect the tank and refurbish it if possible. If the tank does not meet our safety and quality standards, we will recycle the tank.

Not rude, simply truthful and appropriate based on response #2 and #10 either of which can cause damage to people and property.

#2 Exchange at the local gas station implies the corner car gas station - where you slip the known damaged tank into the rack pick up the new tank and let someone else worry about it until Blue Rhino comes to pick up the curbside swap rack.

#10 Suggesting a propane or other compressed gas tank/can be tossed into a bonfire with the implication that country folks would enjoy the practice is pretty demeaning in its own right.

It's good to know that in #20 a more correct response was given.

Thank you.

 

[SpencerPJ]

I stand by my posts! And to add more excitement, we likely would set it out back and use it as target practice.

 

[gwinger]

Most fire departments will NOT take the tank. I called my local propane distributor and the said they would take the old tank at no charge if I bought a new tank from them.
He said they pull a vacuum on the old tank, then remove the valve and scrap the tank.
As far as the fire departments, I called our local one about getting rid of old fire fire extinguishers. They would not take them!
They suggested just emptying the extinguisher and putting it our for trash.
Our trash collector told me would not accept them intact.

 

[dave541]

Swapping a known leaking propane tank (even if supposedly "empty") at the local store and likely putting this possible bomb in the midst of other sources of fire/explosion would be criminal, in my opinion.

This is not a beer can that some thoughtless folks (you know who you are) always seem to carelessly throw in a campfire to pollute for other campers and help campgrounds become soiled/abused/disrespected "hoods" rather than campgrounds.

There are some items in life that can pose a threat to others and most people will have the consciousness to dispose of them safely and legally.

OP, you can call the local fire department, or if you have street pickup of trash call that vendor. I would think even a local cop would help find your answer as this is a potential threat to other's safety, including your own.

OP, thanks for posting - good question despite some surprisingly questionable answers.

The propane dealer inspects and refurbishes them between uses. If too damaged the tank would be discarded or repurposed (DIY BBQ grills e.g.). May or may not keep the valve. Sometimes they keep old valves for parts.
They regularly get damaged and non-refillable tanks in trade-in.

 

[dave541]

City slickers and country folks opinion will vary. Throw it in a bonfire to add excitement.

The Forest Service found several old one pound canisters buried underneath campfire rings a few years ago. Luckily, they were found before someone use the fire ring. Also rifle ammunition has been found in fire rings.
Some morons' idea of a funny prank can be deadly serious.

 

[Domo]

The propane dealer inspects and refurbishes them between uses. If too damaged the tank would be discarded or repurposed (DIY BBQ grills e.g.). May or may not keep the valve. Sometimes they keep old valves for parts.
They regularly get damaged and non-refillable tanks in trade-in.

Yes, very correct, when a tank is in the hands of a trained propane company employee, rather than a Walmart cashier with the key to the outdoor swapping rack, they know to inspect and pass or fail the unit.

It's was the suggested swap, which could be into one of the very common mom & pop and big box exchange racks, NOT at the propane company that can lead to issues that I was alarmed about and hoping no one would do since others can be hurt.

Once the propane company picks up the "returns" they have the correct transport and training to figure things out.

 

[Kirk]

The Forest Service found several old one pound canisters buried underneath campfire rings a few years ago.

I wonder how they knew to dig them up??? Back when we were campground hosts, we cleaned a lot of fire pits/rings but never even thought of that possibility.

 

[gwinger]

I quit buying the exchange tanks. I don't trust the company refilling them. I've had some with so much paint on them that you couldn't tell the condition of the tank.
And with valves that were extremely hard to open and close.
Also, the exchange tanks are not completely full. They only have 15lbs of propane.

 

[gwinger]

I wonder how they knew to dig them up??? Back when we were campground hosts, we cleaned a lot of fire pits/rings but never even thought of that possibility.

Sure sounds like some idiots were doing that to cause an explosion.

 

[SpencerPJ]

The Forest Service found several old one pound canisters buried underneath campfire rings a few years ago. Luckily, they were found before someone use the fire ring. Also rifle ammunition has been found in fire rings.
Some morons' idea of a funny prank can be deadly serious.

Agree 100%. Shooting at an empty 20# propane tank on the farm or property does not fall into that category, lighten up!

 

[Kirk]

Shooting at an empty 20# propane tank

Some 40 years ago, I watched a hunting partner take a 1# propane bottle that was less than half full out and shoot it with a 30-06 rifle. He set the bottle on a stump and shot from about 50 yards away. The shot threw the bottle several feet away but nothing exciting happened. There was a heavy odor of propane there when we picked up the bottle to examine it amd there were holes in both sides, but the entire thing was a dud.

 

[SpencerPJ]

Some 40 years ago, I watched a hunting partner take a 1# propane bottle that was less than half full out and shoot it with a 30-06 rifle. He set the bottle on a stump and shot from about 50 yards away. The shot threw the bottle several feet away but nothing exciting happened. There was a heavy odor of propane there when we picked up the bottle to examine it amd there were holes in both sides, but the entire thing was a dud.

Bummer. I'd guess just the right spark would be needed. I bet you were braced for a boom though

 

[SpencerPJ]

It's was the suggested swap, which could be into one of the very common mom & pop and big box exchange racks, NOT at the propane company that can lead to issues that I was alarmed about and hoping no one would do since others can be hurt.

Not true: Blue Rhino, a well respected exchange company that does all the local gas stations around me. YOU chose to interpret with some godly I'm better than that, and after you realized that taking it in for an exchange is likely the 100% best course of action, you are speechless. I'm done, you are on my ignore list!

 

[DutchmenSport]

City slickers and country folks opinion will vary. Throw it in a bonfire to add excitement.

Now, that's my solution too! I'm AM a country bumpkin you know! Nothing like some good old country fun around a bon fire! I've never done it, but someday I'd like to use dynamite to go fishing with too!

 

[krazeehorse]

I stand by my posts! And to add more excitement, we likely would set it out back and use it as target practice.

With some tannerite taped to it for the bullseye.

 

[SpencerPJ]

With some tannerite taped to it for the bullseye.

and tracer ammo

 

[krazeehorse]

 

[John From Detroit]

Four pounds of Explosive Target (Tannerite is a Binary explosive.. makes a very big BOOM when you hit the target)

 

[Lou Schneider]

Four pounds is one gallon of propane. You can extrapolate the size of the boom 3+ gallons of propane in a typical BBQ exchange cylinder would make.

 

[Domo]

Not true: Blue Rhino, a well respected exchange company that does all the local gas stations around me. YOU chose to interpret with some godly I'm better than that, and after you realized that taking it in for an exchange is likely the 100% best course of action, you are speechless. I'm done, you are on my ignore list!

Thank you.