Need Large Propane Cylinder for Steel Kettle

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Does anyone know how I could go about getting a used propane cylinder, the likes of which may be used in an apartment complex ??These are of the horizontal configuration for bulk storage and are about 30 inches in diameter. I need the full radiused end pieces for cajun cooker type kettles. LPG/Propane Companies must take these things out of service after so long, I would imagine. I tried getting one from a local company, but they wouldn't consider it. Does anyone know of some type of alternative perhaps ?? Thanks.

-- Glenn (gj_usa1@yahoo.com), April 13, 2001

Answers

Glenn! The propane tanks that are sometimes used for cookers are kinda hard to come by. Very seldom are any replaced with newer ones-- at least where I live. No time limit on how long they can be used because they have no upgrades that are required or any specs they have to fulfill.

I'd consider look'n elsewhere for a cooker however. I've known people that used the ends out of lp tanks, used the bottoms of 100# cylinders [25 gal capacity] and were not satisified with the results. Gunk in the propane is constantly "cooked out" of the steel and gett'n into the food. Black sludge of some kind and it ruins the taste and even apperance of the cooked grub. Ammonia tanks aren't any different either.

If you decide to use the lp tank a word of warning. Please fill the tank COMPLETELY with water before using a torch on it. I've cut cylinders with a torch and even with the cyl full of water, it would "bump" quite a lot as embedded explosives would heat up and explode just a little. Sometimes it was a little bit scary!

I looked around and found a HUGE iron kettle---250 gallons. Mite check with farm auctions around your area as most old farmsteads always had iron kettles. Matt.24:44

-- hoot (hoot@pcinetwork.com), April 13, 2001.


It is rare that propane tanks are ever taken out of service. LPG has a naturally oily quality to it from a substance that I believe is called olefin. I hauled LPG for a number of years and knew of only one tank being taken out of service, and it was a buried butane tank. If LPG tanks are taken out of regular service they are most often put into service as diesel fuel tanks.

Over the years I have heard of several being injured trying to salvage LPG tanks for other uses. Only one instance locally to me, and the fellow had filled it with water to force out any of the remaining gas. He then drained it, and as he began to cut into it, it exploded. His jaw was nearly ripped off and he lost his voice box. He did survive after weeks or months in the hospital and a long recuperation.

May I suggest you consider an old compressed air tank. They are taken out of service because of rust that forms from the moisture that builds up in them from the compressed air. You may also be able to buy just the new tank ends from Manchester Tank Company.

-- Notforprint (Not@thekeyboard.com), April 13, 2001.


Glen where are you at? I know where there are several large iron kettle for sale. This guy has a hord of them. They are in Southern Indiana south of dale at Linclon City. E-mail me direct, I may forget to check this thread Grant

-- grant (organicgrange@yahoo.com), April 13, 2001.

I was at a large auction last weekend. They had a lot of old kettles. The first few went for hundreds of dollars. By the time they got to the last one--probably 30 or 50 gallons and in fair but dirty shape--it went for the first and only bid of $25. I didn't have a place to store it, or I would have picked it up.

At any rate, I suggest following the other's advice and not using propane tanks and looking for the real thing. I have heard (but not tried) that if you want to cut an old tank to flush it out with water and then put a chunk of dry ice in it and heat the tank enough to the dry ice to fill it with CO2. That flushes out the oxigen and reduces the chance of an explosion.

==>paul

-- paul (p@ledgewood-consulting.com), April 13, 2001.


Thanks everyone for your input. I found a place called Cadillac cookers that sells the exact thing I need, but unfortunately they seem to be a little pricey for me. I am not cheap, but I sure hate to spend a lot of money, when it's my nature to make due (with what I thought would be) readily available componenents, and if necessary, adapt them to work. If I could only find where they bought them I would have it made. I think I will abandon the thought of cutting a propane tank. I believe I can make better use of all my molecules if they are concentrated in one place as opposed to splattered all over. I just bought a brand new plasma cutter, and I sure enjoy cutting things with it. Thought I would kill two birds with one stone. Perhaps my wife has some things I can disect, hmmmmmm.......

-- Glenn (gj_usa1@yahoo.com), April 15, 2001.


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