Small Scale Propane

[jaxs]

With a 100lb tank thats got a multifill valve you own the tank, can take it some where to get filled but can also call the truck and have them do it.

That is the second time you have recommended "multifil valve",I've never heard of that and would love to buy a bunch to resale to neighbors if they can legally have them filled by delivery trucks. Around here and other states I've worked in,it's a stiff fine and possible lose of license if caught filling 100/30/20 pound bottles from a truck. I've heard reports of trucks in the valley filling rv bottles for snowbirds but don't know how they dodge the law. We have thousands of rvs in my area used as permanent residence that have to swap bottles so I see this as an opportunity to make money if you furnish a source of "multifil valves". Thanks in advance.

 

[bcp]

Valve, about $100
Propane Tank Multi-Valve | 1 lb

100lb tank with valve, about $165
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Worthin...ne-Cylinder-with-Multi-Valve-327701/202936849

Bruce

 

[jaxs]

Thanks bcp.

 

[quicksandfarmer]

I found this chart:


So smaller tanks give more capacity per pound of propane, especially at lower temperatures. Three 20 lb tanks roughly equal a 100 lb tank.

 

[3Ts]

I think I know the answer, but would it be completely illegal for me to put a 20 lb tank in the basement?

Forget the illegal concern. Never ever do this. Propane is heavier than air, if you had a leak, your basement would fill with an explosive gas and with one spark you would lose your house and everything in it. There are distances that have to be met from a tank to an ignition source and/or windows/doors and varies from 5' to 25'
Propane Tank Distance Rules and Requirements

But to answer your question: I haven't looked it up, but I'm sure it is illegal.
Natural gas explosion kills nearly 3 at Texas school - HISTORY

 

[dstig1]

True. Finding a new supplier before you buy any tank would be key...or just going electric like someone else said.

Cast iron cooks alot nicer over gas than my current electric stove. When we go stove shopping it will be propane and our first propane appliance in our house. If i didnt enjoy cooking with cast iron i wouldnt own a gas stove.

You might want to consider an induction cooktop. They work with cast iron (they require ferrous pots and pans) and people who have them just love them to death. I'm using gas but we actually have natural gas piped in this area, so that was a pretty easy call. That was a huge selling point for this lot.

 

[4570Man]

Forget the illegal concern. Never ever do this. Propane is heavier than air, if you had a leak, your basement would fill with an explosive gas and with one spark you would lose your house and everything in it. There are distances that have to be met from a tank to an ignition source and/or windows/doors and varies from 5' to 25'
Propane Tank Distance Rules and Requirements

But to answer your question: I haven't looked it up, but I'm sure it is illegal.
Natural gas explosion kills nearly 3 at Texas school - HISTORY

What difference does it make? All the plumbing is still in the house. Regardless of where the tank is how are you supposed to get the gas to the stove? I wouldn’t think twice about putting one or two 20 pound propane tanks in the basement.

 

[nyone]

That is the second time you have recommended "multifil valve",I've never heard of that and would love to buy a bunch to resale to neighbors if they can legally have them filled by delivery trucks. Around here and other states I've worked in,it's a stiff fine and possible lose of license if caught filling 100/30/20 pound bottles from a truck. I've heard reports of trucks in the valley filling rv bottles for snowbirds but don't know how they dodge the law. We have thousands of rvs in my area used as permanent residence that have to swap bottles so I see this as an opportunity to make money if you furnish a source of "multifil valves". Thanks in advance.

Sorry i mis spelled the name of valve type.
As for legalities of filling a 100lb tank im not sure. I know smaller than 100lb tanks have to be filled by weight. I own a milti valve tank but take all my tanks in to get filled. Laws can be dif in areas in sure too.

I pay $10 to fill a 20lb tank and $60 to fill a 100lb tank at the supplier. The supplier dosnt sell propane that cheap delivered so i bring the tanks in.

I have 22 20lb tanks and 4 100lb tanks so going to the supplier is done about every 14 months.

 

[Gem99ultra]

I have a half dozen "20 lb. tanks to use for portable shop heater, grill, etc. BUT - they're never filled with more than 18 pounds unless I get them filled at the propane dealer. Even then, they brag that they fill them to 19 pounds. Seems that 20 pound number is pie-in-the-sky number.

Our main tank for the house is a 250 gallon tank, but the propane company won't come out unless they its down to below 25 percent, and then only fill it to 80 percent. That puts the max at around 150 gallons. We'll run through about 200 gallons per year here in mid-Georgia.

 

[grsthegreat]

My wife ran the numbers on our propane use as a $ cost per year since installing the 1,000 gal underground tank. We used to have regular fillings every other month on our old 250# above ground tank. Now it痴 once a year in the summer. We no longer get hit with the winter peak prices. Our average yearly propane bill has decreased nearly 20% since the change out. This is over 3 cycles with the new tank and including the previous 5 with small tank. We also get a benefit of lower propane fee as the large tank is considered a bulk fill. We paid $60/ year for tank rental on the old tank for 19 years....what was I thinking. I could have purchased it 2.5 times. I own the new tank