The date of manufacturing or requalification of a propane tank is stamped on its collar. The format will be month-year, for example, 06-21 for June 2021.
What is the best way to read the date on a propane tank?
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.
How can I tell if my propane tank in Canada is expired?
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- The month and year of manufacture are sometimes distinguished by an inspector’s symbol on the manufacture date.
- Because propane cylinders must be requalified or changed every 10 years, this mark will indicate when it was done.
What is a propane tank’s expiration date?
For some, the outdoor barbeque is their summertime BFF. You know how it goes: you spend a lot of time with somebody, you develop a pattern with them… and over time, you begin to overlook the minor nuances.
And, like in all friendships, a little effort is required to make things right. This necessitates routine maintenance of your grill’s heart and soul: the propane tank. Add these pointers to your seasonal checklist, and your outdoor barbecues will be safe and reliable for years to come.
Check the propane tank’s expiration date.
Make this the first item on your summer grilling prep list. Although propane does not technically “go bad,” the tanks do. The deterioration of a propane tank can be caused by general wear and tear, exposure to corrosive elements, physical impact, or other damage. Federal regulations specify how long a propane tank (including your barbecue tank) can be used safely before it must be checked and recertified or replaced.
A sequence of letters and numbers are stamped on the collar of every propane tank (the round piece at the top of the tank). These acronyms keep track of information including pressure capacity, the Department of Transportation code the cylinder complies with, water content, and more. The dates to look for while checking for expiration are:
- Date of Production The date the cylinder was produced is stamped in the format “MM YY (for example, 05 11). It’s time to replace it if the manufacture date is before 2011 (it’s currently 2021).
- Date of the retest After these phrases, there may be a date imprinted, indicating a previous tank recertification.
Most propane grill tanks must be recertified or replaced every 10 years following the date of manufacture, according to federal requirements. So, if Obama was still president when you checked your propane tank’s expiration date, it’s time to give it another look; it might be time to replace your grill’s tank with a new one.
Check for corrosion or other damage.
Make a visual assessment of your propane cylinder. The following are some warning signs:
- Cracks in the surface (beyond surface scratches from normal wear and tear)
- Around the pressure valve, there are leaks.
- There’s been a fire or there’s been heat damage.
- Collar, valve cover, or other parts are missing.
Recycle Responsibly.
What do you do with a propane grill tank that has expired or has been damaged? It’s a typical question, along with “Can I use an expired propane tank till it runs out?” We understand that you don’t want to waste propane, but the short answer is “no.” We never recommend using a propane tank that is damaged or expired for your safety.
Similarly, you could worry, “Can I recycle my barbecue tank if there’s still propane in it?” That’s a trickier question to answer. Most recycling centers will not accept the cylinders because they contain combustible material that might be harmful if it leaks into the air.
More information about propane tank maintenance and recertification may be found here:
What exactly do the numbers on a propane tank mean?
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.
- Digital propane tank scales provide a digital readout of remaining cook time and gas fill percentage. 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!
How long will a 20-pound propane tank last?
What if you try to fill up your propane tank and they tell you it’s expired? Propane tanks, due to our federal government, are required to be replaced every 12 years. A warning about it is even stamped on the upper ring of certain tanks. This law is based on safety concerns, according to them. So, what do you do with a 20-pound propane tank that has run out of gas?
On the top ring of all newly made 20 pound propane tanks is a date stamp (see image above). This is the year the tank was built. The expiration date is calculated by adding 12 years to that date. The expiration date for our tank seen above is 02/2026 because the date is 02/2014.
Do Coleman propane tanks have a shelf life?
Yes. The expiration date is written on every Coleman propane tank. The tank has a shelf life of up to 7 years provided it is not opened. The gas should be utilized within two years of opening it before you need to vent and replenish it.
When was the last time a propane tank was manufactured?
1. What should you do if your propane tank has run out?
When those 12 years are over, you have the option of replacing the tank or having it inspected for requalification for another five years of use.
2. What is the expiration date of the propane tank?
3. How should old propane tanks be disposed of?
Propane tanks with a volume of 100 pounds or less have a 12-year shelf life from the date of manufacturing. When those 12 years are over, you have the option of replacing the tank or having it inspected for requalification for another five years of use.
4. What is the average lifespan of a tank?
Propane tanks with a volume of 100 pounds or less have a 12-year shelf life from the date of manufacturing.
5. Do all tanks have an expiration date?
Large propane tanks used for residential heating and hot water are restricted by federal container restrictions in most states. According to the legislation, a propane tank can only be filled by the owner or someone authorized to act on their behalf. In practice, this means that the majority of household propane users lease their tank from a fuel supplier, who is responsible for keeping track of the tank’s expiration date.
6. Where can I have my propane tanks recertified?
Learn More about Propane Tanks:
- How to Check the Level of Your Propane Tank at Home
- How to Get Your Propane Tank Ready for the Winter
- Buying vs. Renting a Propane Tank for Your Home
- Is It Possible to Paint My Propane Tank?
- How to Dispose of Old Propane Tanks Correctly
- Propane Tanks: Above Ground vs. Underground
- Where Should My Propane Tank Be Stored?
- When Buying a House with Propane Heat, Here Are 5 Questions to Ask
- Changing from Natural Gas to Propane
- Is it better to rent or buy a propane tank?
In Canada, how long does a propane tank last?
Every ten years, propane cylinders must be inspected and requalified; it is illegal to fill an out-of-date cylinder. Requalification of a cylinder must be performed by businesses that have the necessary equipment, training, and certification, as well as those that have been approved by Transport Canada to do so.
On their website, Transport Canada also has information on how to recognize an approved cylinder.
If you’re still having trouble finding the date on your cylinder, you should seek clarification from your store, exchange company, or Transport Canada.
Is it necessary to change propane tanks on a regular basis?
Depending on the cylinder type, condition, and previous requalification procedure, propane cylinders must be requalified or replaced every 5 to 10 years.
Is it true that propane tanks lose gas with time?
One of our most significant inquiries is whether or not your saved fuel will expire. And we’re happy to tell you that it won’t happen! Unlike fuels that degrade over time (kerosene, diesel, gasoline), propane has no expiration date and will not lose its effectiveness while kept. When it comes to propane storage, the only thing you need to be concerned with is the tank’s health and integrity.
You need to have on-site tanks re-certified every decade, and it’s wise to get the tank inspected by a professional to detect any possible leaks annually.
