On refilling your own propane bottles: Propane, unlike water, has a moderately high coefficient of expansion in it's liquid state. This means that the liquid expands a lot with temperature and can rupture bottles or fuel lines easily unless there is head room within the bottle or container. Basically, liquids do not compress!! The 1 pound cylinders have a pressure release valve built in which will release propane unless the bottle has the required 20% head room space. And this assumes that the bottle will not get excessive hot. Larger, outside propane cylinders are painted white for a reason, Coleman's are dark green. If you are pulling up on the pressure release on the 1 pound bottles until a liquid appears, you are not leaving room for liquid expansion and the bottle will vent gas (providing the safety valve is working correctly). FWI - It vaporizes at -44 degF (that's why it freezes your fingers), weights 4.24 pounds per gallon (temperature unknown, 60 degF I think), and contains 91,650 BTUs per gallon. A liquid gallon produces 270 gallons of vapor, which is heavier than air. All at a home delivered rate approaching $1.50 per gallon for 4-500 gallons. Sorry for the lecture, but I want our Westies (and their owners) to stick around a while longer. Tom Goff - 1984 full Westy - original ower, 88K miles - Highland, MD |
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