How to safely cut open a propane tank

It no make no nevermind purge the tank 4 times or 40 times you do NOT cut into the tank until it has been tested with a calibrated LEL monitor and reads 0. Place the open jaws of the crescent wrench over the large bolt of the tanks gas regulator.

Start by disconnecting the tank.

How to safely cut open a propane tank. Pull out the valve and then fill it all the way with water so that no propane gas can possibly be left. Then dump out the water and cut drill or weld to y. Purge the tank again to ensure all propane gas has been removed.

To do this fill the tank with water through the fill valve the tank should be sitting level while this is being done. The tank should be so full of water it is running over the sides. Repeat this process twice before attempting to cut the tank open.

However DIYers need to exercise extreme caution while working with propane tanks. To cut a propane tank you need to get every last remnant of gas out of it. Start by disconnecting the tank.

Then take the tank out into an open space and open its valve. Wash the tank with water and check for gas one more time. Propane is heavier than air.

Remove all valves and turn tank upside down for a couple of days. There might still be a smell coming from the tank but the gas will have evacuated the tank. Ive cut thousands of propane tanks open over the past 20 years.

How to Cut Open a Propane Tank without Blowing Yourself Up - YouTube. You will have to ensure that the tank is free of explosive gases ie below the lower explosive limit. As you have asked the question I would suggest the quick safe one word answer is dont.

Very small quantitiesof gas can make for quite large explosions which can spread debris including the operator over quite large areas. Rinse the container by filling it with clean water until there are no more bubbles at least twice. Remember that dish washing and other detergents contain alcohol.

Dawn Dish Washing Liquid Concentrate when shipped by tank truck carries a Flammable Placard. Then cut the container with a sabre saw or better yet sell the Propane tank and buy a Bell. To walker mixing air into the propane tank gives you 2 of the components needed in the triangle needed for an explosion the other componant is the torch used to cut the tank open You may have used this method in the past and got lucky enouph to remove enouph of the propane However this is not a safe way by any standards.

Get your old propane tank and open the valve. There may be some gas under pressure left in the bottle and we want to relieve any pressure present inside the tank. Let it sit with the valve open for a few minutes.

Remove the valve at the top of the bottle by using the piece of scrap wood and the mallet to lightly tap the side of the valve assembly counter. How To Clean A Propane Tank Fot Safe Cutting - YouTube. Shut the top main valve on the propane tank by turning the valve in a clockwise direction.

Place the open jaws of the crescent wrench over the large bolt of the tanks gas regulator. This is located at the meeting point of the propane tank and the gas regulator. Use the thumbscrew to grip the jaws around the large nut.

Otherwise how are old tanks cut up and recycled. Anyway it would be nice if there were such a procedure that I could point people to that ask me about cutting open tanks. I have a found a very reliable and safe method for me cutting old propane tanks with a torch that you might want to try.

It no make no nevermind purge the tank 4 times or 40 times you do NOT cut into the tank until it has been tested with a calibrated LEL monitor and reads 0. You can wash it with soap dish washing liquid or scrubbed by pygmy warriors you do NOT cut into the tank until it has been tested with a calibratedLEL monitor and reads 0. Basically you drain the tank and flush with plenty of water and then hook a car exhaust to a steel flexible pipe and run exhaust into the tank for several minutes to purge the tank then start cutting after checking with gas detectorMy cousin kept the exhaust running into the tank while he cut or welded because he said the exhaust had carbon monoxide in it and wouldnt let anything burn because it took all the oxygen out of the tank.

Safely cut the tank. Here is a short video about how to safely cut open a propane tank. I hope you find it useful.

Sorry about the wind noise LOL. Here is a short list of the things you will need-Water. Propane is heavier than air so park the opened tank with valve hole facing down.

If in a hurry blow compressed air into that inverted tank to push out any remaining propane. Have done this method a fair number of times and still around to post LOL. At worst youll occasionally get a slight poof if any propane is left over but nothing drastic.

How to Empty a Propane Tank. Move the Tank to an Open Space. Tilt the Tank to the Side.

Double Check for Gas Remnants. How to Safely Use and Store a Propane Tank. We cut quite a few for BBQ pits in our shop anywhere from 50 to 500 gal tanks.

Safest way to cut it 50 co2 remove the tank fittings small regulated hose from co2 to tank fitting holes fill the propane tank till sniffer says safe or carefully fan a top opening until you get a whiff of the co2 caution it will burnirritate your nose if you get to much. There is only one simple and efficient way to get rid of all the remaining gas. Fill the cylinder with water until its full.

The water will expel the gas and be replaced with fresh air. Obviously do it OUTSIDE or youll get propane in your homeworkshop. It will become a vapor at atmospheric pressure so venting the tank for a while will work.

You could go so far as to dump a shatload of baking soda in it and then pour in some vinegar. This will produce carbon dioxide and water. When the bubbles reach the top you are purged of any O2 and can begin cutting.