California Banning Single Use PROPANE Cylinders.

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Looks like the one pound propane cylinders are going to be a thing of the past. While it is the right thing to do, it’s going to create some consternation. The link is here.

Please, no rants.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Read the story in the Sunday SF Chronicle. Another hoop to jump through.Needed though.
Frank

 

[AWG_Pics]

Good move. We will figure out how to make things work.

 

[ski3pin]

This is a good a start. Next up plastic water bottles and beer cans.

 

[buckland]

Plastic.... that is my crazy. Especially when I clean out a fire ring with melted stuff. I agree on the single use propane can evolution to something better. It was easy but there is always a price to be paid. Somebody will no doubt come up with a wicked cool alternative and make a fortune! The American way!

 

[DesertDog]

Someone did come up with a better idea. Flame King sells a 1 pound refillable propane canister. And better yet, if you buy it at Sports Basement, they will give you up to 5 free refills per year. Details here:

Sport Basement Propane Deal

 

[Sagebrush Reconnoiterer]

Someone did come up with a better idea. Flame King sells a 1 pound refillable propane canister. And better yet, if you buy it at Sports Basement, they will give you up to 5 free refills per year. Details here:

Sport Basement Propane Deal

Sounds like a good alternative. Free refills might cost the company $16 annually if they pay retail for propane at current my current local costs, but may generate sales. And countless people with propane camp stoves, lanterns, space heaters and other appliances won't have to throw them away when the ban goes into effect.

 

[JaSAn]

Some (maybe a lot) of people will just start refilling the green bottles.

 

[Sagebrush Reconnoiterer]

I wonder about the safety/liability of that. I don't know if those standard bottles are made to withstand repeated fillings. Or what provisions there off to determine when it is full.

After a quick search I see that there are several brands of refillable cylinders on the market. And interestingly, an adapter to fill your refillable cylinder using a 20# tank.

 

[craig333]

DOT has a problem with those being refilled but its not likely anyone would ever get fined. I have one of the refillable bottles for emergencies but I run the bbq off the big tank. I doubt we'll see beer cans outlawed any time soon.

 

[fish more]

Beer cans get recycled, my one pound propane clylinders get refilled. If the clylinders show any sign of swelling, or the valves leak after filling, they get recycled after they are empty. Alot of places have the 1 lb cylinders on sale right now. At some point I will have to get some clylinders that can be refilled, and are "legal".

 

[JHanson]

From an article I just published in Exploration Quarterly on the history of the Coleman lantern:

"You can buy refill adapters for the ubiquitous one-pound DOT39-type cylinders and find instruction online for doing so, but the USDOT strongly recommends against it, after documenting several accidents and at least one fatality. The sealing gasket in this type of cylinder is not meant for repeated use."

The refillable canisters from Flame King are made differently than the DOT39 canisters and are safe to refill. Many people get away with refilling the DOT39 canisters, but many people get away with not wearing seat belts too.

 

[Occidental]

It's already so easy to use our second 10# tank (first one stays connected to the camper) from our 4WC to run our outdoor stove and bbq (and lantern or other accessories if we want) all at the same time we haven't used 1# tanks in years. I can refill a 10# tank for the price of one 1# tank and it lasts for a month on the road. Just from a cost and convenience perspective it seems like a no brainer.

 

[JaSAn]

. . . I can refill a 10# tank for the price of one 1# tank and it lasts for a month on the road. Just from a cost and convenience perspective it seems like a no brainer.

If you have a 10# tank (and don't have to carry it far), use it. If not, they cost ~$75 and weigh 25# full.

I fill green 1# bottles from a 20# tank for bulk propane cost. A lot of ice fishermen I know do it and haven't heard of any accidents yet. I use sealing brass caps to eliminate leakage in storage.

P.S. A couple of campers I know that have 3-way fridges carry a couple of green bottles and a 'steak saver' for if their propane tank runs out.