As a result of its simplicity of use, low maintenance requirements, environmental friendliness, and the long lifespan of propane, gas grills are becoming more and more popular over other varieties.
Liquefied petroleum gas, or propane, is a fuel that is frequently used in cooking.
Many owners of gas grills who only sometimes use them have issues about how to store the propane properly, how long you can store it, and whether or not propane spoils.
The owners of gas grills must know the answers to these questions in order to keep themselves safe and to make sure that they have enough fuel when they need it.
Does propane go bad?
If you have a gas grill and don’t use it every day or are putting it away for the winter, you may be wondering how long will the propane you already have last and does it expire.
The good news is that propane will not expire or go bad ever.
It is a liquefied gas stored as a liquid and has a very long shelf life, which is one reason why people choose to buy gas grills and use propane for all types of cooking, heating, and other needs.
Propane, unlike many other fuels such as diesel or kerosene, can last for 30 years if it is stored properly.
You may be asking yourself if propane doesn’t expire, then why is there an expiration date on the propane tank? The answer is – to remind you to change the tank itself. The gas will stay good forever.
How long will the propane tank last?
How long you can rely on the propane for your grill depends on several factors. One is how big your gas grill or smoker is. Propane smokers typically use up more fuel than grills, as they are usually used for low and slow smoking.
On average, you can expect that a 20-pound propane tank will burn for 18 to 20 hours when using a medium-sized gas grill and about 10 hours when using a large-sized grill.
An average meal for a family of four prepared on a medium-sized gas grill will use about 2 pounds of propane gas.
If you want to monitor your propane level more closely, you should calculate the gas burn rate. This can be done by weighing the tank after use and subtracting it from the total weight, which is indicated on the tank itself. Then divide the difference by 4.25 pounds (1 gallon).
Then to calculate how much propane you have left, you can divide the total gallons of the tank by the burn rate per hour, you got.
Is there a risk of the propane tank exploding or imploding?
Many people worry about the risk of their propane gas tanks exploding or imploding, and some even refuse to buy gas grills because of this.
But the truth is that propane is very safe and will neither explode nor implode unless something extraordinary happens.
Propane is safe to use in and around the house if you store it properly and check it diligently for leakage.
A propane tank can explode if it is faced with extreme heat and over a long period of time, which can cause the gas inside to expand and to rupture the tank, but this is hardly possible in normal circumstances.
To reduce the risk of the propane tank exploding or imploding, you should make sure that it is stored at a suitable temperature and is not exposed to direct high heat for long hours.
Can propane be stored outdoors in the winter?
If you are wondering whether the propane will go bad if you leave it outside during the cold winter months, then you don’t need to worry. Propane gas will not go bad from the cold temperatures.
If the propane tank is stored in a dry area without any moisture and dampness, which can cause rusting, or if it is adequately covered with a protective plastic coating, then you can rest assured that the propane will be good for use when the warmer seasons are back again.
What is the proper and safe way to store propane?
In order to store your propane tank safely, you should make sure that it is kept in a dry and cool place. The low humidity and temperatures will prevent the gas tank from developing rust and from eventual leakage due to damage to the tank itself.
The recommended temperature for the safe storage of a propane tank is below 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
You should avoid storing the propane tank indoors, especially in hot areas. Instead, store the propane tank outside of your house in a cool and sheltered area without dampness and without direct access to the weather elements. Store the tank on a stable surface in an upright position.
You should also ensure that the gas tap is shut off after use every time and that there are no leaks. Leakage of the gas can be dangerous, especially indoors. This can be done via regular inspections of the tank.