Please school me on propane bottles

[DistantHorizon]

So I'm still working on coming up with a game plan (still need to run all wiring for lights/outlets, insulate, and do interior walls), but considering something along the lines of a Mr Heater 75k btu and a couple of 100lb propane bottles.

Do these bottles have to be inspected every certain number of years?
How heavy are they when they're full?
Where do you get 'em filled? I called the hardware store that does my grille bottles, and they won't fill a 100lb.

I see a couple of used ones on craigslist.

Looking for a temporary heating solution to last for a couple years, as I don't have natural gas to the shop yet.

 

[larry4406]

Call a propane company. They will give you options - buried, above ground etc. They will sell or rent and fill.

 

[Ramblur]

Bottles are good for 12 yrs. from the date of mfg.(stamped in the valve guard or on the top of tank)then they are reinspected(usually by whoever is filling your tanks) and for a small $.Then they are hand stamped with a new date followed by an"E". These are good for 5 yrs. and can be reinspected and re-stamped indefinitely. I don't fill 100 lb.ers either, They're a pain in the *** to handle at 140lbs.+ full and the gas co. views it as stepping on their toes...
Plus of course some of these 100 lb. and over bottles are actually owned by the
gas company and just leased to the consumer so be careful buying used...

 

[Lambo nut]

For what it's worth, I installed a Mr heater 75k heater in my insulated garage last fall. I looked into the various bottles also. The 100 pounders you can put right up against the garage here but I opted for a 250 gallon instead. It needs to be 15 feet from the building but not a problem as I had the room. paid $225 for it out right and I can get it filled by whomever I want. I kept the garage at 50 degrees last winter, (Missouri) and turned it up to 65-70 when I went in to work at least twice a week for a few hours. I only used half a tank, (80% to 30%). This is a lot less hassle for me as we already have a 500 gallon tank for the house and I could have the guys top off the garage tank when they come fill the house tank and not have to worry about minum delivery amounts.

Kevin

 

[anthony666]

the big problem with tanks that size is they ice up really fast when you use them, so you pretty much need to twin them and swap the hose over every half hour or so, real PITA .. larger less mobile tanks don't have that problem, but they're larger, and less mobile

 

[burleymike]

I have a 100lb bottle for our gas range in the kitchen. We fill it once a year and it is heavy as hell to my busted up back. I am guessing about 150#.

I back my truck right up to the back of the house where it sits and my wife and I carefully slide it off onto my 2 wheeler. The gas company has no problem filling it and helping me load it into my truck.

Gas supplier said he will re certify it when the times comes.

 

[rwreuter]

just a curious question here. i have read and heard but have not been given a logical, common sense reason as to why you shouldn't store propane bottles in the garage or use them IN the house for a portable vent free heater....i.e. 20 pound bottle.

 

[fireguy]

Propane tanks have a relief valve that will release excess pressure. The excess pressure is flammable gas, which can go boom! I do not allow my propane tanks in my house, my garage or shop. I do not care if they are full or empty.

 

[rwreuter]

not that i doubt what you are saying.....i have just NEVER heard of an injury or any property damage occuring from an errant propane bottle.

 

[6768rogues]

I agree with the responder who recommends calling a propane company. I have two large tanks on loan from the propane supplier. It is illegal for another company to fill them and the propane does cost a little more with the loaner tanks, but I don't own, maintain, paint, haul or anything else. All I do is call the supplier, they fill the tanks the next day and a bill comes in the mail.
Our code requires that multiple tanks be connected so that one can be removed without interrupting the propane supply to the appliance. Mine are both connected and providing propane all the time, so their discharge rate is 1/2 what a single tank would be.

 

[SteelHorseHD]

For what it's worth, I installed a Mr heater 75k heater in my insulated garage last fall. I looked into the various bottles also. The 100 pounders you can put right up against the garage here but I opted for a 250 gallon instead. It needs to be 15 feet from the building but not a problem as I had the room. paid $225 for it out right and I can get it filled by whomever I want. I kept the garage at 50 degrees last winter, (Missouri) and turned it up to 65-70 when I went in to work at least twice a week for a few hours. I only used half a tank, (80% to 30%). This is a lot less hassle for me as we already have a 500 gallon tank for the house and I could have the guys top off the garage tank when they come fill the house tank and not have to worry about minum delivery amounts.

Kevin

Just curious,
How big is your garage? I just installed a Mr. Heater 75K in my garage (36 x 45) and hooked it up to a 250 gal tank. I havent used it yet but will fire it up shortly. I live in Illinois so the climate is probably pretty close to MO. I plan on keeping it at 50 like you said and kicking it up when I'm out there. Did you use 50% for an entire heating season?!? I have R-19 walls and R-50 ceiling. Just trying to get an idea of what that sucker will cost me this winter. Thanks!!!

 

[Lambo nut]

Just curious,
How big is your garage? I just installed a Mr. Heater 75K in my garage (36 x 45) and hooked it up to a 250 gal tank. I havent used it yet but will fire it up shortly. I live in Illinois so the climate is probably pretty close to MO. I plan on keeping it at 50 like you said and kicking it up when I'm out there. Did you use 50% for an entire heating season?!? I have R-19 walls and R-50 ceiling. Just trying to get an idea of what that sucker will cost me this winter. Thanks!!!

The whole thing is 30 by 50, but the heated area is approx 1100 sq ft. About half of that is 9 foot ceilings and the rest where the lift is, goes to 13 feet. I only have R-19 in the ceilings and R-13 in the walls and the Owens Corning R-8 kits on the three 9x7 metal doors. They are weather stripped too so they close up nice and tight.
Yes 50% (125 gallons) for the whole last winter. Tank went from 85% to 35% and is still at 35% as we speak.

Kevin

 

[SteelHorseHD]

The whole thing is 30 by 50, but the heated area is approx 1100 sq ft. About half of that is 9 foot ceilings and the rest where the lift is, goes to 13 feet. I only have R-19 in the ceilings and R-13 in the walls and the Owens Corning R-8 kits on the three 9x7 metal doors. They are weather stripped too so they close up nice and tight.
Yes 50% (125 gallons) for the whole last winter. Tank went from 85% to 35% and is still at 35% as we speak.

Kevin

Wow! I hope I can get that lucky!! I have 10 foot ceilings and the whole thing will be heated so about 1600 sq ft. I am also going to install 4 ceiling fans to put on reverse durring the winter to help move some air around. I would be very happy with going through about 250 gal in the winter. Thanks for your input!!