does propane ever go bad?

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we've taken to using wood as our only heating source for the winter here in the GA mtns, and are now wondering if the propane in our tank might go bad over time. towards the end of summer we filled the tank up, and at this rate, might not need to fill it again unless it's good maintenance to burn through a tank every 6 mos, 1 yr, 2yrs or some other interval.

our tank is 500 gallons, and the area we live in is pretty humid in the summer if that affects things.

-- James (james@wireboard.com), January 07, 2002

Answers

Moisture IN the tank would be the only concern- depends on how pure the propane was to begin with and how clean the inside of the tank was before you had it filled (most tanks are purged with gaseous propane before initial filling). I would say it will be fine for 6 months, or more. Moisture IN the tank could eventally rot the tank out OR (possibly- this is the case with gasoline) make a pocket of water that some bacteria find fun to thrive in- it taints gasoline that has set with traces of water in it FAST. It wont matter how humid it is outside the tanks.

-- Kevin in NC (Vantravlrs@aol.com), January 07, 2002.

Hi James, I'm still using propane it bought for y2k,no problems so far. Daryll

-- Daryll in NW FLA (twincrk@hotmail.com), January 07, 2002.

Your tank is sealed and not open to the atmosphere so there's no way contaminants can enter. The propane should be fine when you eventaully use it.

I've had smaller tanks of propane sit around for several years until I used the gas. Never had a problem.

-- Darren (df1@infi.net), January 07, 2002.


The worst thing that could happen is the propane would leak out. Look how long propane has been stored in the ground. Keep your tank free of rust and keep the dome where the valves are covered and it should last for many years. Check it once in a while and if you smell the stench they put in it call your propane distributor immediately. Dave

-- Dave (drcomer@rr1.net), January 08, 2002.

Not if it's parents raised it right.

Sorry, I just couldn't resist.

-- DocMac (mccartney-ct@chouteautel.com), January 10, 2002.



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