Do You Know the Proper Way To Store Propane?

For Safety, Efficiency, and Comfort, Correct Storage Is Key

It’s common for people to store propane without considering safety, efficiency, or wear and tear on their tank — but with a little thought and effort, you can make major improvements to the storage conditions of your propane. When propane is stored improperly, it won’t last as long as it should, it can be dangerous to people and property, and you could end up wasting a lot of money.

Today, we’ll cover the basics of propane storage, including how and where to store it, and what you might expect to go wrong from storing improperly.

How To Store Propane

Propane should always be stored in tanks in peak condition with no sign of wear or damage; you shouldn’t have even the slightest suspicion there are problems with your propane tanks, and if you’re concerned, you should consider replacing your tanks.

You’ll want to store your tanks with the valve fully closed, double-checking to be sure there are no leaks. Disconnect them from your grill, etc., if they’re going to sit unused for a while. You’ll also want to be sure you’re storing your tanks upright and on a flat surface.

Stored properly, propane can last quite a while without any trouble.

Where To Store Propane

When storing propane, the list is more about where you shouldn’t store it rather than where you should. Propane shouldn’t be stored in an enclosed area under any circumstances. If a leak happens in an enclosed space, the air saturated with propane and oxygen becomes an extreme hazard.

Propane should be stored away from sources of heat, smoke, flammable materials, corrosive materials, etc. It’s also good to keep it out of places where it will be excessively damp or moist, if possible, to avoid corrosion and leaks. You probably want it out of direct sunlight to avoid heat and the wear and tear of sunlight.

Fortunately, despite these rules, propane tanks can sit safely outside even through the winter without much trouble so long as you keep snow or ice away.

Risks of Improper Storage

When you store propane improperly, the biggest risk is fire or explosions. Any leak from your propane tank in an enclosed space can become an extremely dangerous situation, which is why it should be stored outside when possible. Most of the rules about storing propane are aimed at preventing inevitable leaks from being dangerous or preventing leaks from occurring at all.

Aside from the risk of harm to people or things, your second concern should be that if your propane tanks get damaged through improper storage, you’ll have tanks without propane and have to replace both the propane and the tank for no reason. While propane is cost-efficient and environmentally friendly compared to some fuel sources, waste is still waste.

Learn More

If you want to learn more about how to store your propane or need propane service from a qualified team of professionals in New York, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania, let the team at SOS Xtreme Comfort help you.

We’ll be glad to walk you through the do’s and don’ts of storage, help you identify problems with your current options, and set you up with new tanks if you have a problem.

Contact us online today!