- Before being filled with propane for the first time, all new propane tanks must be purged of air and moisture.
- A small amount of propane vapor gas is injected into the tank and subsequently expelled during the purging procedure, which must be done by a skilled propane service technician. This procedure is repeated three to four times. This is not something you should try on your own. Always get your tank purged by a skilled specialist.
- Because propane is heavier than air, it will drive air out of the propane tank during the vapor’s evacuation.
- After that, you can start filling with propane.
- If the tank isn’t purged, air will be the first gas to escape the propane cylinder, causing your appliance to malfunction.
Is a new propane tank required to be purged?
Unless you’re purchasing a used propane tank that’s already full from a propane exchange, you’ll need to purge the propane tank. New propane tanks have compressed air in them that must be purged with propane vapor before they can be properly filled and used.
What is the best way to prepare a new propane tank?
A basic installation takes only a few hours and can be scheduled in a matter of days, depending on the intricacy, weather, and the availability of our technician or Certified Partner. The materials to install your tank, tank bases/blocks, gas line required to install the tank (up to 10 feet from where the line enters the house), fittings to hook up to the gas line, and travel up to 80 kilometers each way are all included in the basic install package.
To ensure the procedure go as smoothly as possible, our professionals have produced the following preparation checklist.
Prepare your home appliances.
Ensure that all of your propane appliances are properly installed and vented, and that the gas line is connected to an exterior wall. The sole exception is if you live in British Columbia, where you can install the appliances after the tank has been installed, allowing your gas-fitter to perform the final connection while installing your appliances.
Make sure the ground is ready.
Gravel, cement, or a stable ground base should be present where your tank will be installed. Depending on the amount of tank you require, the ground must be level and particular clearances must be adhered to.
A 420-pound cylinder or vertical-style tank, which is our smallest permanent tank built for supplemental heating for water heaters, fireplaces, pools, and heaters, requires a clearance of 3 feet from windows and doors and 10 feet from any sources of ignition and air intakes. This tank can be positioned against a structure.
The clearance required for a 500 USWG horizontal-style tank appropriate for residential heating is 10 feet from your home, any building or structure, the property line, windows and doors, and any sources of ignition and air intakes (for example, heat pumps and air conditioners).
How many times will you have to go through the purging procedure?
Purging can be compared to the terrible twos of skin care: It’s true that your skin is having fits of rage, but it’s simply a phase (albeit a frustrating one).
Purging happens when an ingredient seeks to speed up the skin’s normal rate of shedding and renewal, so you should be able to go over the worst of it in one full skin cycle.
Because everyone’s skin is different, the time frame will vary from person to person. Purging should be completed within four to six weeks of beginning a new skin care program, according to doctors.
Consult your dermatologist if your purge lasts more than six weeks. It’s possible that the dosage and/or frequency of application need to be adjusted.
Is your propane tank full when you buy it?
- Keep an eye on your weight. The empty tare weight (TW) of each tank varies, but the refilled tanks are all filled to the same total weight. If your empty tank weighs more than the new one, you’ll get less gas when you replace it. When replacing tanks, search for the one with the lowest tare weight, which will be displayed on the tank.
- Examine the state of the tank. Accept no tank that appears to be corroded or old, or that appears to be nearing the end of its useful life. Otherwise, the exchange site may refuse to accept it the next time you want to exchange it. Some companies refuse to accept tanks that are older than five years. If you acquired a new grill and the threading on your old tanks doesn’t match the threading on the new grill’s regulator, you can swap them out for ones that do.
- Purchase two at a time. Buying two of the cheapest empty code-compliant tanks you can find and then exchanging both tanks for full tanks is a good idea. You now have a full tank on hand at all times, and you can utilize one tank until it is empty before swapping it out. You will never run out of gas while grilling if you do this.
Burping the Propane Tank
To begin, open the hood of your grill to ensure that no gas is accumulating inside. Second, switch off all of the grill’s burners. Make sure that all of the burners are turned off.
Twist the gas tank shutoff valve clockwise until it is completely closed on your propane tank. After that, remove the propane tank hose in the same manner as when you replace the tank. As the excess pressure is released, you’ll probably hear a tiny hiss. Your propane tank just burped like a newborn.
Starting Your Grill Safely
Wait around 30 seconds before reconnecting the hose. The propane regulator will reset itself during this time.
Reconnect the hose once you’ve waited, making sure it’s correctly tightened. Reopen the propane valve a quarter turn once the hose is in place. It’s critical to slowly reopen the valve, as doing so too quickly may cause the regulator to trip again. After you’ve made this initial turn, slowly open it all the way.
What’s the use of purging a cylinder?
New tanks may include water, air, or other impurities, according to national safety requirements, and they must be eliminated before filling the container for the first time and putting it into use.
On a propane tank, what is the bleeder valve?
Second, don’t assume your propane tank has a propane leak until you smell the rotten egg odor that is a dead giveaway of a propane gas leak. If this is the case, start following propane safety best practices right away!
Other possible reasons for the hissing from your propane tank
The hissing sound could be caused by something other than a propane gas leak. Other factors could be to blame. Here are two examples:
A bleeder valve that is open.
A liquid level gauge is another name for a bleeder valve. It’s a little equipment that allows your propane delivery worker to check the amount of propane in your tank properly. A hissing sound can be heard if the bleeder valve is not properly closed. If this is the case, the solution is simple. Simply turn the bleeder valve clockwise to stop the flow of gas and sound.
A relief valve that is open. A pressure release valve is what this is. Every propane tank and cylinder must have this feature. Why is it necessary? Due to the fact that propane expands when exposed to heat. Consider a steamy summer day in Tennessee. You might find that the relief valve is open on a day like that. And that’s fantastic! It’s doing its job, which is to gradually relieve the pressure that builds up as the propane expands. By sprinkling the tank surface with cool water from a garden hose, you can assist relieve some of the pressure inside your propane tank. Never try to close, look inside, or tap an open propane tank relief valve!
It could be a propane leak if the hissing noise continues. Please contact Advanced Propane right away so that we can schedule a service call.
Even if the source of your propane tank’s hissing isn’t a propane gas leak, you should know what to do if you ever find yourself in that circumstance. Learn about propane safety and how to safeguard your family and property by using your nose, eyes, and hearing.
Why is it necessary to bleed a propane tank?
Checking to see if a propane tank is full Now: If your tank is over the safe 80 percent fill level, near-liquid propane will pour out in a solid stream, and you should bleed it as directed.
Is it necessary to bleed the propane lines?
Is it necessary to bleed the propane lines in your RV? Bleeding your RV’s gas lines ensures that there are no air pockets in the system. If you don’t bleed your lines and there are still air pockets in them, your RV appliances may not start or behave strangely.
