Gas blew up in my face today

[CobyRupert]

Like a previous poster said, gas vaporizes, and that means no telling where it is at.

...and that folks, is why that liquid can be called "Gas" !

(i.e. Gasoline, with a flashpoint of -40°C (-40°F), means that even at -40F, it gives off enough vapor to form a burnable mixture in air. The gas vapor only has to be 1.4% concentration in the air to burn or explode. This is not much and is very volatile compared to other flammable (or combustible) liquids.)

 

[Coyote machine]

Wow! Thanks again to all recent contributors. :thumbsup: I would quote each of you and thank you each personally, but it takes up too much space in the thread.
Your contributions remind me again how lucky I was to have made it out without the can in my hand flashing over from the blast and fumes in the air. I guess I'd never thought about how gas vapors disperse and that lighting sooner than later is best, even though still wicked dangerous. NO MORE GAS for me. I'm going to search on the links you guys gave re propane torches, though propane scares the hello out of me too. I'm not saying it's not safe; just that the epicentre of screw-up seems to visit my house regularly: here why....

When we had a brand new 1000 gallon propane tank buried by our then excavation company a number of years ago, for our 20Kw propane generator sited away from the house for noise and safety reasons, they somehow messed up and the tank leaked right off the bat. I smelled something and brought it to my builder's attention. He said you've got propane leaking:duh:!
I called the supplier and a truck arrived shortly thereafter. I thought the delivery guy/truck was in the neighborhood and had come to check on the leak. NO, he came to FILL the tanK!

So now we have a full 1000 gallon leaking propane tank.
I went to Maine with my son and his best buddy to go skiing. We were already scheduled. I told my wife if I looked in the rearview and saw a fireball I'd just keep going!:shocked:

She said after they drained the tank to fix the leak they had to set the remaining propane in the tank on fire and burn it off. She said she basically hid in the house and tried to kiss her own azz goodbye..Seriously, what insanity....

And , BTW, I am type 2 and will keep a close eye on my burns and will seek medical attention if things aren't healing. So far I cleaned the burn areas and the only questionable area is my right nostril where I burned off the top layer. Quick application of the Neosporin seems to have mitigated what could have gone worse toward blisters and such, but so far, no adverse effects other than being real sensitive when I bang my hand into it or try to wipe my nose, etc. out of habit.

I may want to just use muskrat oil on a wadded up newspaper while using a flame proof volcano space suit for next time; if I dare to venture out to try my 'skills' for a next time...

(And had I used an Interstate battery to light the burn pile the result would have been totally awesome and controlled, since the amount of energy in an Interstate is second to none!)

 

[Citydude]

Thanks for posting CM. Glad your here to tell the story.

 

[jeff9366]

Aside from vegetable oil on newspaper option, I speculate the propane torch provides lowest cost per successful ignition, certainly cheaper than using gas or diesel as the accelerant. {Medical treatment, of coarse, would increase cost of using gas or diesel.}

Most of us tractor users will be igniting burn piles for years.

MR. NATURAL STILL SAYS: "Get the right tool," a $54 (+/-) [including shipping] propane torch.

 

[oosik]

CM - If you have any problems with any of the burn areas - - there is a much better product you can obtain from your doctor by prescription.

SILVADENE Cream. Its the script my Dr gave me when I left hide on my Harley pipes. Reduces pain, speeds healing & helps prevent infection.

 

[CobyRupert]

I only use old motor oil. You can basically pour it safely right onto an open fire right out of a 5 gallon pail and it reacts slow enough that unless something goes really bad, like you trip or get your leg stuck, everything is okay. Plus it burns slow enough that the wood you're trying to ignite has a chance to come up to combustion temperature.

Sometime using oil is unnecessary if I can get the pile going with a asphalt torch / weed torch (flame thrower) attached to a propane tank. This is good for putting a lot of heat on a pile that has a lot of loosely packed branches. (i.e. Where the wood fuel isn't compacted/dense enough to get a good fire going that throws off enough heat to ignite the other branches around it.)

But lately I've found what works best is if you can get a little fire started, then hit it with the leaf blower, you can quickly and safely (without fuel) get a roaring fire (basically turn the flame into a blast furnace).

 

[CobyRupert]

Here's another safe way to get a fire going:

 

[PJSprog]

Wow. Glad you're (relatively) OK.

I never use any liquid accelerant to light fires. If it won't light on its own, I use a small amount of paper, dry leaves, or dry grass clippings. If that doesn't work, I use the propane weed torch ... $30 from Harbor Freight.

 

[mapper]

It's interesting you should bring this up. I was watching some program recently where there were forest tech burning grasses, maybe out West what with seasonal wildfires? Anyway, I was wondering how guys can have containers with whatever in them to spread contained fire starting, and what they might use to do so without being at extreme risk of self-harm by accident.

So I'm not completely clear on what you said about: 'I would still hesitate to pour it on then wait too long to light it. Gas fumes are not very forgiving'....
Are you saying NOT to wait too long to light the mix, and if so, why is that?

Thanks,

CM

A drip torch is a heavy aluminium container with a tight fitting lid, there is a tube with a loop in it to prevent flash backs coming out of the lid with a nozzle on the end. Under the nozzle is a wick that is kept wet with fuel every time the torch is used. The rate of flow is regulated by a small vent. The fuel mix is such that it ignites easily but not explosively.
My comment about not waiting too long to light it, the gas will evaporate out of the mix and still form a dangerous concentration of gas fumes.
All that being said, previous posting recommending using a propane weed torch have my vote. I have been using one for a number of years and found it to be every bit as effective as oil and a lot less messy. My used crankcase oil now goes to the free county recycling center.

 

[k0ua]

I have used a lawn mower with the exhaust pointed towards the smoldering fire to get things going again. A leaf blower is awesome, but stand the heck back. I have now doubt that the torch to light brush fires would be a prudent investment. The below paragraph is from a State of Oklahoma web site dealing with Brush fires.

Care should be exercised when igniting brush piles. There are several ways to ignite a pile, but it is important to make sure that the brush pile is ignited safely. A drip torch, fusee (road flare), propane torch, or placing flammable fine fuel, such as hay or paper in the brush pile and lighting it are all safe methods. Igniting piles by pouring flammable liquids on the brush pile, followed by a lit match should be limited to less flammable fluids such as kerosene, charcoal lighter fluid, or an equal mixture of diesel and gasoline. Only pour flammable liquids on a small portion of the brush pile before igniting. If the brush pile does not ignite, be absolutely certain that all flames are extinguished before adding more flammable fuel and re-igniting. Do not try to ignite brush piles with gasoline due to its low flash point, highly flammable properties, and vapor, which is heavier than air. Using gasoline is very dangerous and can lead to serious injury and an escaped fire.

So dang it CM. Use care next time.. And as far as putting more flammable liquid on a fire that has "gone out".. Uh, I think I will pass on that one.. That torch is looking better all the time.