What should you do with a propane tank after grilling?

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

We just got our first propane grill and I don't know the safety precautions. Is it okay to just close the valve, keep it connected and store it out in the sun? Should it be disconnected? Connected and in the shade?

I read that spare tanks should be stored away from the grill. But what is a spare tank?



Thanks

 

[power091999]

Yeah man.

I have two tanks I keep one in my outdoor closet.

I always keep it connected and just close the valve. Just as long as it's off it won't hurt a thing.

 

[wfooshee]

When I shut mine down I close the tank valve, wait for the flame to stop, then close the grill's own burner valves. I roll the grill into the garage to get it out of the weather, and I don't want any gas in the line.

There's no reason to disconnect the tank from the grill. Just shut off the valve.

 

[LeeMoldon]

We just got our first propane grill and I don't know the safety precautions. Is it okay to just close the valve, keep it connected and store it out in the sun? Should it be disconnected? Connected and in the shade?

I read that spare tanks should be stored away from the grill. But what is a spare tank?



Thanks

Well i'm guessing you wouldn't leave it in direct sunlight next to a can of petrol and some radioactive waste adjacent to a school if i told you to.......so you could probably make a good assumption that leaving it somewhere undercover where it won't get pierced by anything is probably a more viable solution.

 

[Northstar]

I always close the tank valve before the grill to get rid of excess propane in the line. Keep the grill in a spot where the sunlight is minimal unless grilling.

Also, if you have room for a second tank I would buy one since the most embarrassing thing that could happen is to run out while you have company.

 

[FoolKiller]

As others have said, turn off the valve and then the burners. A grill cover will be fine. I don't put mine away anywhere, because I don't have anywhere to put it. I also keep a second tank handy, usually stored away from the grill, because as has been stated, running out of gas with guests over is very embarassing.


Also, when your tank runs out you can take it to almost anyplace like a gas station or even Wal*Mart and they will do an exchange for $15-$20. They take your empty, no matter the condition, and give you a new full tank. Do not take your empty inside. Set it next to the propane station (locked cage full of tanks) and go in and tell the cashier you want to exchange it. Someone will come help you do that.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

I ordered a cover for the grill. Though I was thinking about the safety, since if there is a leak the propane will be trapped under it. And it will trap the heat too, but it's most likely better than the sun shining on the tank.

 

[FoolKiller]

I ordered a cover for the grill. Though I was thinking about the safety, since if there is a leak the propane will be trapped under it. And it will trap the heat too, but it's most likely better than the sun shining on the tank.

Do not cover the grill until it is completely cooled off or you will be buying a new grill cover.

As for trapping leaking gases, I don't think that is a major concern, nor will it get hot enough under the cover in normal weather conditions (you are farther north than I am) to ignite. My cat likes to climb under it and hang out. If it isn't hot enough to make him uncomfortable it won't ignite propane.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

I hope that cat doesn't carry a lot of static electricity.

Do you, or anyone, have any maintenance tips? Cleaning it with a brush after grilling and then spraying some cooking spray after it cools a little should be okay, right?

 

[TB]

I clean mine with a wire brush/brillo pad after I use it, but I have yet to use any spray or oil on it. After it's cooled off I put the cover back on. The next time I go to use it I'll let it heat up for a bit then use the brush/pad again.

If your going to use any spray, just make sure your not doing it around the flame. Bad things.

And as for the tank, I leave it connected all the time and turn off the burner control and tank valve each time. Even with a south facing deck in the middle of summer with both a cover and no cover I've never had a problem.

 

[FoolKiller]

I hope that cat doesn't carry a lot of static electricity.

Do you, or anyone, have any maintenance tips? Cleaning it with a brush after grilling and then spraying some cooking spray after it cools a little should be okay, right?

You are worrying way too much about the safety of your tank. Keep in mind that millions use them and more people die from idiots trying to use them indoors and dying from fumes than any form of explosion. You will almost have to shoot it with a bullet or have your house burning down before it would explode in any way, and that initial explosion would likely be due to the fact that it is pressurized, not that it is a flammable gas. The gas burning would be a secondary effect of the pressurized explosion.

As for cleaning: I use a grill stone, although brushes work just as well. I have never sprayed my grill with any kind of cooking spray, but you can, just don't do it while it is lit.

My process after cooking is to turn it on high for five minutes with the lid closed. This practically incinerates most residue. Then I turn off both the tank and the burners and scrape it down. When I use it again I light it (lid open while lighting - always. If it doesn't light after a few tries turn off the gas for a few minutes and start over) then I put it on high for about five minutes with the lid closed, then I open it, turn down the heat, and scrape it down again followed by a wipe with a grill cloth (came with my grill stone). After that I turn the heat to where I need it to be for cooking and close the lid while I go get my food.

 

[Gil]

Just make sure to inspect your hoses and the burners at the start of each grilling season.

I once had a grill fire on my back deck. The result of a bad hose and burner in a cheap grill.
Thankfully, The new tanks have a "blow off valve" that keeps the bottle from exploding while it is on fire or in a fire.
If the bottle gets too hot the valve opens spraying off gas till the pressure is acceptable.
It will keep doing this periodically till the tank is empty.
The noise was scary and impressive, but my home has vinyl siding and it was warped a little, and the deck was "alligatored". All easily replaced.
I now have a Weber and it is a much better design, than the original grill.
We grill a LOT. Like nearly every day of the spring, summer, and fall. And a lot of winter days.
My grill has a bottom that slides out for cleaning. Clean it out a couple times a season.
It will accumulate the charred food that falls thru the grill, and the ashes that you brush off. If you clean this crap out regularly, you will reduce the chance of fire, and the grill won't smoke as much.

Also, keep an extinguisher handy, Just in case. You will likely never need it, but it sure offers a lot of peace of mind.
I've been grilling for 20 some years. Had one fire, as the result of buying and using a poorly designed grill.

Remember, that for safety and convenience a gas grill has a charcoal grill beat all to hell. Though many will argue that charcoal grills cause better taste, a charcoal grill has to be tended for a long time before it's ready to cook on, and hours after you're done using it, till the coals go out.

A gas grill requires a twist of the knob, and in less than 15 minutes it's ready to cook on, and an hour after you're done it's cool enough to cover.

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

I once had a grill fire on my back deck. The result of a bad hose and burner in a cheap grill.

Better be careful then So far everything seems work according to plan.


The grates are porcelain-coated. I just read that you can coat them with lard to reduce the chances of them cracking over time.

The reason for the cooking spray was because it says to cover the grill with oil since the inside is unpainted.