Propane Tank Storage

[Rewind97]

I've got 8 of the 20lb propane tanks sitting around my shop and need a way to store them so they don't take up so much space. I've thought about some type of rack system or maybe a shelf up high (about 8') to set them on.

What say y'all???

 

[Stuart in MN]

I'd be a little nervous about putting them up in a high spot if there was any chance they could fall down, and for that matter a little nervous about having that many tanks in the garage - maybe put them in a mesh cage thing outside, like how they are stored at the gas station?

 

[SYENEFARMER]

If you don't use them on a regular basis then the high shelf would be the best bet for space saving. If you need to get at them fairly often then build a shelf unit four rows high and wide enough to fit two tanks per shelf.

 

[ford33]

Do you have eight tanks in your residential garage? If yes, why so many? They take a lot of space. I hope they are not full of propane and sitting in your garage.

Maybe instead of storing them you should look at selling them and using the money and space for something really needed.

 

[Farmerjonathan]

Outside in a mesh cage, that way if one ruptures or the pop off valve "pops off" (maybe due to summer heat) it is in a vented container. This solves a lot of problems, potential fire hazard out of the shop, organized and safer.

 

[Jackfre]

Don't let your insurer see them inside. Look at the propane cages at the hardware store. They are the right way to store propane. Outside!

 

[lakeroadster]

The "right" way.... You could build something similar to this for not much money...

https://www.newpig.com/steel-cylind...MI0-G0yr221gIVD6ppCh0lDw0KEAQYBSABEgJcavD_BwE

 

[Rewind97]

If you don't use them on a regular basis then the high shelf would be the best bet for space saving. If you need to get at them fairly often then build a shelf unit four rows high and wide enough to fit two tanks per shelf.

I don't have to swap them on a regular basis. I use them more in the winter to heat my shop with those "Mr. Heater" type heaters.

Do you have eight tanks in your residential garage? If yes, why so many? They take a lot of space. I hope they are not full of propane and sitting in your garage.

Maybe instead of storing them you should look at selling them and using the money and space for something really needed.

Not in my garage but in a detached shop.

The "right" way.... You could build something similar to this for not much money...

Not having any welding skills I would have to sub it out and that would negate any savings.

 

[yeldogt]

Why not get a larger tank -- it's an expensive way to purchase propane (20lb tanks) ... they also should not be stored inside

 

[Rewind97]

Need the portability of the 20# tanks.

 

[c4cruiser]

I would store them outside. You should be able to build a deck that is about 6" off the ground using treated wood. Then add some posts at the corners and wrap the deck with something like chicken wire. Maybe even some 1x6 cedar fence boards. A gate can be installed that would be wide enough to access the tanks. Maybe even built a cover to help keep the tanks out of the weather.

 

[matt_i]

I'm with outside as well. Any discharge would be a devastating explosion that would level the building. I think its more dangerous than gasoline personally. Conceptually, if you poured out 5gal of gas and lit it on fire you'd have a big roaring fire on top of the liquid.

However propane is already gaseous, in my mind analogous to flashing all of the gasoline into vapor into a combustible air:fuel mixture (unlikely unless specific devices are employed to make that happen) and then spark-igniting it.

When its outside there's a huge amount of "fresh air" to dilute the potential combustible air-fuel mixture to non-combustible, and it happens rapidly also.

That said, the tanks are very reliable if kept in good rust free condition.

I would make sure you can lift a full tank high enough to get on the potential "shelf" and make sure the potential shelf can handle the weight x8. A "20lb" tank tares at 17lb so I would plan for 50# per tank to be conservative.

 

[lakeroadster]

Does your detached building have electric power or anything that could create a spark?

I store Coleman Propane gas bottles (The ones you buy inside a store) in a steel 10 x 12 shed along with yard tools etc.

For me it's a balancing act, the steel sheds not worth much to me and there are no ignition sources in it.

What's the building you're storing the tanks worth to you?

The flip side to this discussion is everybody parks their cars in their garages with 20 gallons of gas in the tank and never blink any eye. If you carry this same thought process over to gasoline we would all be parking our cars outside.

It's an apples and oranges comparison... but it's still fruit.

So do folks with propane powered vehicles park them outside?

 

[PFSard]

These links have some decent info on proper storage :

Storing Propane Cylinders
http://www.propane101.com/propanecylinderstorage.htm

Propane Safety : National Fire Protection Association
http://www.nfpa.org/public-education/by-topic/safety-in-the-home/gasoline-and-propane/propane-safety

 

[rsanter]

I would store them in a cheap shed away from my house and my shop

I also agree that you should convert to larger tanks. I know you said you need them for portability but you can go to the next size up and they are still very portable

Bob

 

[rshadd]

Eight 20#? Heck I'm nervous about storing one in the garage.

 

[yeldogt]

Need the portability of the 20# tanks.

Why ? If it's only for use in your shop. They make suitable hoses.

 

[Rewind97]

Why ? If it's only for use in your shop. They make suitable hoses.

I use them both in the shop and out on the grill.

 

[gordo9742000]

Milk crates on their side and screwed together. Kinda like 5 gallon spring water bottles.

 

[6768rogues]

I would do the cheap shed. By code, they are always considered as full.

 

[rharman]

Rubbermaid shed outside. You could double deck them with a sheet of plywood and a couple of 2x4's.

No way I'd keep them all in my shop.

 

[Matt Matt]

If you have a business on your property, they should be locked up in a highly ventilated, outdoor, roofed enclosure. The walls can be simply made of 1/8 wire which does not allow a hand through (about 2inch squares).

 

[NewShockerGuy]

I have 3 propane tanks. At a time we had two grill gas grills. Got rid of one of them but kept the tank.. One is always in our Weber grill kept outside, and I store the other two inside my shed which is 10'x7.5'

I've never really thought of them blowing up or any issues honestly. I figure I have a lot of flammable stuff in the shed with gas, oil, lawn mowers...etc. There is no sparks created in the shed so worst case scenario and a valve blows it just sprays inside the shed which shouldn't cause any damage. I am half tempted to store them behind my shed only to free up some space. I have a fence so no one is going to see them or take them and since they get exchanged every month for new tanks at Lowes I really shouldn't care if weather is beating down on them since it's not going to be a tank that I own outright... but if you have that many tanks then I'd definitely have something to cover them from weather.

-Nigel

 

[yeldogt]

propane is heavier than the surrounding air. Should a tank start to leak -- it can flow along the ground and you may not smell.

I dislike the portable tanks -- I always find a solution to free myself from the aggravation and cost.

 

[bczygan]

Mine are outside and covered.

Bill

 

[Adk Mike]

Store them outside! Propane is heavier than air a leaky tank will let gas cover the floor. And one source of ignition and boom a big fire and no garage.
If their is a problem outside run a chain thru them with a pad lock. But get them outside!!

 

[jabin]

This got me thinking, I counted four in my garage, But I have a patio heater, garage heater and a propane fire pit. I do have these outside in use: 1 on each of the 2 grills and 1 on the RV. (And a spare) I really benefited by this thread, I need to think about a better storage especially in the summer.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Storing them outside is a better choice but I understand sometimes it may not be possible.

A cage would be a good solution but you you have ruled that out with your lack of welding skills. However is there a local Vo-Tech school that students could build it as a project ?

If you do decide to store up on a shelf, whether it be inside or out, I would suggest some type of tip over/fall restraint. A simple chain with eye screws/bolts at each end and a clasp in the middle or a nylon ratchet strap should work fine. Just run the chain/strap through the top handle to restrain them. While not needed in the residential environment, it is something that required in the commercial side of thing for cylinders/tanks.

Just remember if you were to use a ratchet strap, UV rays will degrade it over time.

 

[Rewind97]

Thanks for all the info!! I'm not opposed to putting them outside and security would not be an issue. I would want some type of covering for them for sure.

The flip side to this discussion is everybody parks their cars in their garages with 20 gallons of gas in the tank and never blink any eye. If you carry this same thought process over to gasoline we would all be parking our cars outside.

And how manly of us store gasoline in our shops for mowers and such?

Mine are outside and covered.

Bill

How do you have them covered?

 

[Jackfre]

Yeltdog made the point. LP is heavier than air. It pool and you may not know there is gas at your feet. Gasoline will vaporize and you will smell it upon entering a room, I think. Also storing gasoline in a garage led to a total redesign of tank type gas fired water heaters a dozen or years ago. The code required that water heaters be installed on an 18" tall base with the old open chassis water heaters. The problem was that Bill the Cat would be mowing the yard, run out of gas, grab the gas can, fill the mower and then kinda slide the gas can across the floor, bump, it hits the base of the water heater, a bit splashed on the burner and kaboom, the whole place went up. The new Tanks have sealed burners to prevent that and your insurance carrier is happier. The new code also allows the newer water heaters to be floor based.

 

[Innov8tive1]

Thanks for all the info!! I'm not opposed to putting them outside and security would not be an issue. I would want some type of covering for them for sure.



And how manly of us store gasoline in our shops for mowers and such?



How do you have them covered?

I don't store any gasoline in my shop either, aside from the fire and explosion risk, I can't stand the smell. My propane tanks and gas cans are in an open sided shed.
That being said, I would consider propane tanks somewhat safer than gas cans simply by design. But it would only take a small mistake to make a big explosion with one!

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Definitely store them outside, preferably away from a building. When I had four tanks I made a little "cage" with scrap rebar, shelving, and metal roofing. All scrap materials. I switched to charcoal grilling last year and downsized to just one tank now.

 

[DGersic]

Happening right now in Utah, down the street from a friend's house:

"Our neighbors home is burning down and the propane tanks in the garage exploded and took out the house in a matter of a few minutes. The fire department saved the surrounding homes, but the twin home burned FAST (literally in minutes)."



Something to think about. I have one in the garage.



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Dozerhand]

Rubbermaid shed outside. You could double deck them with a sheet of plywood and a couple of 2x4's.

No way I'd keep them all in my shop.

This is what I do. My rubbermaid shed is probably 5x5x4 feet tall. Has front doors and a sliding 1/2 roof. Holds my 8 propane tanks plus push mower and roto tiller. Kinda on the edge of my yard under some trees in the shade.

 

[rharman]

< snip >
A cage would be a good solution but you you have ruled that out with your lack of welding skills. However is there a local Vo-Tech school that students could build it as a project ?
< /snip >

That is an outstanding idea. You supply the material and they do the welding.

 

[Sjfab]

I keep mine in a gang box outside. I cut the bottom out and out bar grating in for a floor

 

[bczygan]

Thanks for all the info!! I'm not opposed to putting them outside and security would not be an issue. I would want some type of covering for them for sure.



And how manly of us store gasoline in our shops for mowers and such?



How do you have them covered?

Tarp for some, in a shed for others. Really anything to keep them off the ground so they don't rust, and covered so rain and snow don't degrade them.

Bill

 

[Lelandwelds]

No one has mentioned the most important detail. Store tanks upright so if they vent they will vent gaseous and not liquid propane.

Propane is safe. The problem is 20lb tanks get no respect and lots of abuse. I see far fewer problems with any other size.

 

[gungatim]

Milk crates on their side and screwed together. Kinda like 5 gallon spring water bottles.

This is what I use, but not screwed together. Makes transporting them a breeze if you leave them in the crate--no rolling around.

I have 6 20lbs, a 30lb, 2-40's, and a hundred pounder. I use the smaller ones for my wok, smoker, grill, and the big ones for the shop furnace (main is 100, the others are backups with a dual line setup). in my mind you can't have too many as one is always running out at the worst time...and I hate driving 25 miles each way to get them filled so I try and do a bunch at once.

I would definitely store outside. the crates make them not freeze to the ground, stack them horizontally if you want to take up less space.

 

[Lelandwelds]

Stand propane cylinders vertically as designed. If the vent opens venting gasous propane is not a big deal. Venting liquid propane WILL give you the big old boogieman explosive cloud mentioned earlier.

Propane flammability limits are much tighter than other fuels. It is safer.