If you’ve newly purchased a propane-powered home in the Hudson Valley but haven’t yet scheduled your first propane delivery, you might be surprised when you try to buy your fuel.
That’s because the tank could be owned by a propane company rather than you.
If the former owners of your home rented rather than owned the propane tank on your property, that lease will be transferred to you, and no one other than that supplier will be able to fill it (this is standard practice in the industry).
Of course, if the tank was previously owned by the previous owners, it’s likely that ownership was passed to you when the house was sold. Always double-check your legal documents!
Further tips on finding out if the propane tank is yours
Look for hints on the tank itself if you still can’t figure out who owns it: most leased tanks have a logo somewhere on them. If you locate one, contact the company and request that the lease be confirmed. It’s possible that the corporation once owned the tank before selling it to the consumer. If everything else fails, contact your realtor, who may be able to assist you in locating the property’s ownership information.
Contact Bottini for your first propane delivery
We’ll be happy to schedule your first propane delivery with us once you’ve confirmed that you own the propane tank on your property or that Bottini is the lessor of your tank; as always, you’ll get a FREE pressure and leak test with your first delivery, followed by many years of reliable propane deliveries in the Hudson Valley.
Please keep in mind that your safety and comfort are always our top priorities at Bottini. Please visit our COVID-19 Service Update Page to read more about how we’re striving to keep you, your family, and our staff safe while still keeping your propane deliveries coming during this difficult time.
Is it worthwhile to have your own gas tank?
- Propane at a lower price: If you own your tank, many propane suppliers will offer you a lower propane pricing.
- There will be no monthly or yearly rental payments: You will have to pay for the tank and installation up front, but there will be no monthly or yearly rental payments.
- There’s no need for a contract: You are not required to sign a contract that includes minimum usage rates and fees.
Are there serial numbers on propane tanks?
For a propane tank’s longevity and usability, the tank nameplate must be protected. Older propane tanks may have a raised nameplate, but newer tanks have nameplates that are continually welded to the container. A raised nameplate (left) and a continuously welded nameplate (right) are the two most frequent types of nameplates found on propane tanks in use today. Nameplate protection is critical and may be taken care of by consumers to ensure their propane tank’s continuing serviceability. Overall propane tank care begins with keeping the tank nameplate clean, dry, and rust-free. A propane tank’s nameplates are rusted and unreadable, rendering it worthless.
Is it better to buy a propane tank or rent one?
Are you trying to figure out how to choose a propane tank? When making such a crucial decision, you must analyze all of the considerations. You have the choice of purchasing or renting.
You have the advantage of ownership when you acquire the tank, which provides you more control. Leasing, on the other hand, means that you delegate installation and maintenance to the vendor. When compared to purchasing a propane tank, leasing is a superior option.
What is the best way to tell how much propane is left in my tank?
We’re in the midst of outdoor living season in Connecticut, which means it’s time to fire up your propane BBQ grill! Simply ensure that you have extra gas for your next summer BBQ.
However, as any veteran propane griller knows, most 20-pound propane barbecue cylinders lack a gauge, which means you’ll need to figure out how much fuel is left in your tank in another method.
Here are three easy ideas to get you started:
1. Make use of warm water. This safe and straightforward method for determining how much propane is left in your tank was given by the FiX IT Home Improvement Channel. To accomplish this,
- Fill a small bucket halfway with warm to hot tap water and set aside.
- Pour the water down the tank’s side.
- Feel for a cool location around the tank’s side using your hand.
The fill level of the tank is at the top of the cold spot (it’s cool because liquid propane inside the tank absorbs heat from the water, making the tank’s metal wall cool to the touch).
2. Check the tank’s weight. On the handle of most propane grill tanks are two numbers: the water capacity (“WC”) and the tare weight (TW), which is the weight of the tank when it is empty. When empty, most grilling tanks weigh around 17 pounds and store around 20 pounds of gas.
Simply weigh your tank on a scale and subtract the TW number to find out how much propane is left in it. If a 27-pound tank has a TW of 17 pounds, there’s about 10 pounds of gas left, or little more than half a tank.
3. Install a gauge on the outside of the building. Options for external propane tank gauges include:
- Installed between the gas line from the grill and the tank’s cut-off valve, inline pressure gauges measure pressures to determine how full the tank is.
- Analog propane scales resemble luggage scales and are pre-programmed to account for your tank’s TW.
- A digital display of remaining cook time and gas fill percentage is provided by digital propane tank scales. Some even have apps for smart phones.
Choose a gauge that you like (they’re available at your local hardware shop and on Amazon) and try it out!
Don’t let your propane cylinder burn you.
Before your next summer party, use these ways to figure out how much gas is left in your tank. Don’t panic if you run out of propane; simply visit one of our Connecticut showrooms for a propane cylinder refill!
When a 20-pound propane tank is full, how much does it weigh?
The most popular size of BBQ propane tank is 20 lb. It can also be used to fuel a number of propane heaters and even propane generators.
The dimensions of a 20-pound propane tank are 8 inches length and 4-inches wide. According to the 80 percent safety guideline, a 20 lb propane tank can hold a total of 16 lb of propane.
The empty 20-pound propane tank weighs around 13.5 pounds. Aluminum 20 pound propane cylinders are lighter than steel cylinders.
On average, a full 20-pound propane tank weighs 29.5 pounds. To determine the total, add the 16 pound of propane to the empty weight (13.5 pound) of the 20 pound propane tank.
Overall, a 20 pound propane tank has a lot of BTUs. What is the precise number of BTUs in it?
344,470 BTUs are contained in a 20 pound propane tank. That’s enough to keep a 10,000 BTU/h heater running for several days (34.4 hours, to be exact).
by Rich Morahan
Tanks for Propane Exchange are both valuable and risky. That is why they are kept in confined cages by shops. However, according to recent news reports, locks and cages are not always effective. Take a look at the following headlines and stories…
“Theft of propane tanks caught on video at a Walker County gas station, March 12, 2019, Walker County, GA, WTVC: The incident occurred early Sunday morning, and video showed the robbers breaking into the holding cage using bolt cutters.
“Two Dayton retailers have reported propane tank thefts on February 26, 2019. WHIO TV 7 (Channel 7): More than 20 propane tanks were stolen from two companies in Dayton, according to police. Propane cages had been harmed. Only eight of the thefts were caught on video surveillance. According to the study, a new full tank costs $50.
“Workers Assist in the Capture of a Suspected Propane Thief, WNEP 16, Scranton, PA, February 9, 2019: Employees at a Scranton plant discovered up to 20 propane tanks had inexplicably vanished. Because the robber had only two tanks in his trunk when he was captured, the crimes most likely took place over several weeks.
“Propane tanks were taken from two different places in the Northeast. WPVI-TV, Philadelphia, PA, December 8, 2018: As they look for the individual responsible, police are trying to figure out why someone would take 18 propane tanks. The cage that locks the tanks was hacked open with bolt cutters, and 15 tanks were stolen, according to video. According to police, the gas station management is more concerned about what might happen to the tanks than about lost revenue.
There are evident similarities in the cut herecages “Theft spread out over time and surveillance with blurry video. All of the articles characterize these incidents as theft for profit, with the operators losing hundreds to thousands of dollars, but the Philadelphia article adds a more ominous note in at least one case: “The gas station manager is more concerned about what someone might want with the tanks than about the lost revenue.
What may the robbers have in mind for those tanks? Are you going to use them to cook or store meth? Or do you want to utilize them to make explosive devices? Stolen propane and anhydrous ammonia tanks have a lengthy history of being used to make meth. Meth manufacturing, according to the National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), destroys the tanks, weakening them to the point that they could explode.
The NPGA has issued a safety warning “This deterioration can result in the valve body or its components splitting, which might cause a forceful, unexpected ejection of the valve from the cylinder, resulting in bodily injury or death.
Tanks are most commonly stolen for use in the meth industry or for simple black-market resale, but there have been more nefarious possibilities, such as in Missouri in 2015, when the bulk sale of hundreds of cell phones coincided with the theft of dozens of propane tanks. With those options, it may be time to move on to the next level of exchange tank security, particularly for cages in high-risk areas.
If locks and cages are the targets, securing each tank with a set of reusable keyed alike locks is a simple approach. If you secure each tank and then lock your cage, you can be sure that even a SawzallTM wiz won’t be able to lift your tanks any further than the cage.
Locking up 20 or more propane exchange tanks with a nearly vandal-proof lock may be less expensive than installing a security cage, and locking up the tanks has other advantages.
During business hours, you can leave the cage door closed but unlocked, and simply go to the cage with a customer, remove the lock, and reuse it for your next refilled tank. You are doubly secure with the ease and security of a single corporate key when your locks and cage locks are keyed similarly with a registered vandal-resistant key.
Also, note that I said a vandal-resistant key with a keyed similar combination. There are now two tank locking devices on the market. A circular tube is used in an older gadget “a key Because the plug may be opened with a piece of copper tubing, this device is not a lock. Instructions can be found on YouTube. One lock, comparable to a vending machine lock, is available on the market: a seven-pin brass lock with a tubular key. POLock was first offered by Lock America of Corona, CA, to block the outlet valve of residential and commercial tanks to prevent tampering and unlawful refills. Lock America has been in the lock security business for more than three decades. The same principle applies to the swap tank lock. The dealer tightens the brass fitting by hand and covers it with a brass slip ring cap. The cap spins, making it impossible to remove the fitting. The cap can only be removed with the dealer’s key to gain access to the fitting. The company’s key code is unique and registered for security and quick replacement (24 hours if the customer pays overnight charges).
The operator also receives a bonus with Lock America’s system. The cage door lock, whether it’s a disk lock or a hockey puck lock, can be keyed to the same key code by Lock America. You end up with a two-tiered defense.
Propane exchange tanks are a multimillion-dollar industry, and replacement tanks can cost more than $100. Although a security cage can protect the operator’s investment, security cages are not theft-proof, as seen by the news articles discussed here and elsewhere. In addition to the lock on your exchange tank cages, it may be time to install a real POLock as a second line of defense.
On a propane tank, where is the date code?
A set of stamped markings can be found around the handle. These documents contain vital information regarding the tank’s origins as well as its capacity rating. A date should appear near the valve on the handle, showing the date of manufacturing. It’s usually written in the normal Month-Year format. It would say “06-20” if your tank was built in June of 2020.
Each tank also has a unique identifying mark, similar to those found on cars. This enables the US Department of Transportation and propane dealers to keep track of and maintain safety data for each tank in use.
Additional markings reflect the cylinder’s empty weight, which is recorded as “TW.” If you want to weigh the tank to see how much propane is left in it, this is useful. The stamp “WC” denotes the water storage capacity of the tank, which allows dealers to determine the exact amount of propane that can be securely stored inside.
It’s also very uncommon to see the identity of a requalifier imprinted into the handle area of your tank. You’ll be able to tell how near the tank is to hitting its expiration date if you know the manufacture or recertification date.
What are the signs that my propane tank needs to be recertified?
Date of Propane Tank Certification Examine the metal collar of your propane tank, which is the highest section closest to the valve, to determine the certification date. This item should have a date imprinted on it.
On a propane tank, what does the e stand for?
E-Procedure Symbol E-Procedure Symbol E-Procedure (stands for External Visual Inspection) Because requalification might happen numerous times during the life of the cylinder, the collar may have multiple requalification dates stamped on it.
What is the price of a 250-gallon propane tank?
Propane tanks are available in a variety of sizes. The larger the suggested size, the more fuel you use. You can utilize smaller tanks, but you will pay more in long-term delivery expenses. The price of your tank is determined by its capacity and location above and below ground.
Gallon Propane Tank Cost
100-gallon propane tanks are put above ground and cost between $300 and $500. Typically, a 100-gallon unit can be built alongside your property. It is often large enough to power a single device, but depending on how often you use that appliance, you may need to replace the tank regularly. Two 100-gallon units can be placed next to each other. This effectively increases your capacity without taking up a lot of room. If you use propane for more than one device, this is probably too tiny.
Gallon Propane Tank Cost
The cost of a 120-gallon propane tank varies between $350 and $600. This is an above-ground installation. This small unit can also be placed close to the house. This is a popular size to install for utilizing one or more appliances, but depending on how much you use it, you may need to replenish it frequently. Installing two tanks of this size together is also usual. This reduces the amount of refills required and increases the number of appliances that can be used simultaneously.
Cost of a 250-Gallon Propane Tank
A propane tank with a capacity of 250 gallons costs between $450 and $1,000. A unit of this size can normally be placed next to a house. The unit can usually handle numerous appliances at this size, but the rate at which you use them determines how often you need to refill it. Two 250-gallon propane tanks are frequently put together in homes that use gas heating. This could be a nice substitute for a larger 500-gallon tank in your yard. Instead of the larger tank, which must be built 10 feet away, the smaller ones can be installed closer to the house.
Gallon Propane Tank Price
When built above ground, a 500-gallon propane tank costs between $700 and $2,500. This unit costs between $1,500 and $3,000 to install below ground. This is the smallest size needed to keep most households warm. Instead of vertical smaller tanks, this is a huge horizontal cylinder. It can go above or below ground, but it must be at least 10 feet away from the house. As a result, because it takes up a lot of room, it is more typically put below ground.
,000-Gallon Propane Tank Cost
When built above ground, a 1,000-gallon propane tank costs between $1,500 and $3,000. It costs between $2,500 and $5,000 to install this unit below ground. This device can accommodate a large home’s heating and appliance needs. This is the tank you’ll need if your home is more than 2,000 square feet and you use propane for heating and appliances. This unit is quite huge, and while it may be positioned above ground, it must be far enough away from the house to not encroach on yard space. As a result, many people choose to have these enormous tanks buried underground.
