Storing Propane Tanks/Cooking During a Power Outage

The chemical is actually a gas itself called mercaptan.
Even a minor leak is easy to recognize. And god help you if you get liquid mercaptan on you. Its hell to get the stink off.

As for filling the tanks.
Do NOT fill to 100% liquid.
1. You are removing the necessary expansion room for the gas.
2. You risk feeding liquid into your appliance, not something you want to do. It will burn out the equipment in short order. And you risk freezing the diaphragm in the regulator.

For the larger tanks, there is an internal safety to be aware of. If you open the valve too quickly the internal safety will trip and stop the flow of gas. You can't reset it at home.

There is very little risk in storing tanks in the house but if your tanks reach the point where they are rusting or the date on the larger tanks has passed, spend the money and replace them, they are dated for a reason.

20 years and 3rd generation in gas work.

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I do not disagree with Nagol , do not do what I do. I am a risk taker, I like living on the ragged edge, I wish to be a free man, and except the consequences of doing so.... I push things to the point of failure...its my nature, Its how I learn. With that said I take exception with one thing only that Nagol has said, and that's regarding the Best before date on tanks.......I have tanks 100#ers with a 1946 or 7 date stamp, rusted in places on the outside yes, other wise perfect. I have found expiry dates to be BS, I have tanks also expired from the 1980s that I regularly refill. I have cut propane tanks in half, in fact I have others from the 1940s, 50s, that I would be happy to cut open on camera so others can see the inside. Propane is a natural moisture displacement medium. I have never cut open a propane tank that had any internal corrosion, in fact they are perfect inside, or such has been my experience. Nagol please cut one open on camera so that others can see what I am saying. A visual examination to the outside in my opionon is all you need to evaluate a tank, deep rust pits are ofcourse a bad sign and likely a indicator that its time to send the tank to the junk yard. Though I need to qualify that by repeating deep rust pits!! .. as propane believe it or not is really not high pressure, the co2 tank for your pellet gun has maybe 3 or 4 times the pressure (depending on temp), of a propane tank,

50 +++ years of doing things until they puck up....who are you going to trust (jk)

The dates stamped on the tanks are not actually expired dates but "inspection" dates. I own tanks for various gasses which have been in service and redated several times.
For the rust, I should have been clear that I was referring to severe pitting and not surface oxidization. I have seen tanks survive fires and have old tanks myself.
I have a few burners which still use the "old" internally threaded valves.

High pressure is a relative term. Nitrogen is stored at high pressure (20 000psi), Propane anywhere from 1-20lbs depending on the application(more on commercial applications).
When talking about LP or NG anything over 1lb is considered high pressure as equipment runs off of 8"wc and 3.5"wc respectively.

In general, gas is less dangerous than most people think, the combustion potential exists in a 7%(NG) and 9%(LP) air/fuel ratio range. I may be off 1%, haven't had to look up the ranges in years.

My suggestions were meant more to side on caution then what will work in a pinch. In my opinion for the sake of a few $$ now it's worth it to keep equipment you depend on current to avoid issues when no replacements are available. Its all personal in the end, no offence taken and no doubt you've had success.

On a different note, I just finished of a green bottle of propane, after almost two summers of sporadic use. I use a single burner and round base type of stove, find that most others who use/borrow it will light the burner and just crank gas up as high as possible, which is a total waste. I use mine in a still environment, and burn it as low as possible. It takes a little longer to, say, bring water to a boil, but the propane lasts so much longer.

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Propane is ideally stored outside. It's interesting that in Australia, the law allows storage of 10 Kg of bottle storage indoors (Home) and 15 Kg in any business. I store four 10 kg bottles inside. I discussed this with a fireman friend of mine some time back. He didn't think that their was any appreciable degree of hazard as long as the cylinders were in good condition (mine are new), tested for leaks prior to storage, and stored in a safe area (away from any chance of impact), kept cool and dry, and inspected periodically.

I realize that this may pose as a risk. In my opinion however, this risk is minimal. I also store other potentially dangerous items (firearms, combustibles, etc.) in a safe manner. Propane is but one of these.

There is very little risk in storing tanks in the house but if your tanks reach the point where they are rusting or the date on the larger tanks has passed, spend the money and replace them, they are dated for a reason.

With the tank exchange, (Petro Can, Wal Mart, CT, etc.) the new , freshly painted tank is part of the deal. And they will accept ANY old tank.

Jonesy

I use the tank exchange to ditch expired tanks occasionally. Cost wise it is up to three times more expensive that getting refills at costco etc but after deducting cost of propane it works out to around 18 bucks for a decent 20lb tank.

If only our Costco sold gas or propane!!

We have two costco's locally that sell propane. One is a flat rate per tank and the other is by the pound. There are other places that are close in price to refill.
If I'm going by I usually top up vehicle with gas as it usually runs at least 4 cents a litre cheaper than most places.

Wouldn't worry about small promenade tanks in an apartment. Keep in cool spot. The comment about buying adapter so you can connect larger tank is an excellent idea. I would not store that tank in your apartment

Propane cylinders and COLEMAN .... stoves. Single or double. Small tanks or with adapter and use 25 lbs bbq tanks.
I have others sources as well, but this will be my main unit for easy on and off use.
Buy a case of 12 tanks and your good for a good time in an apartment or urban home. When possible, Cook up enough food for more than one meal at a time. Large steak or small, roughly same energy but now you don’t waste fuel on second meal.