Small Propane Tank Selection and Storage Dilemma

[Bpjr07]

I refill the disposable 1lb tanks, have not had a issue. They fill up to around 80% with a $5 adapter i got at walmart (said it was specifically for 1lb cans)

I’ve been able to get close to that if I put them in the freezer for an hour ahead of time. At ambient temperature, you might get 50%.

Yes i do freeze for 1 hour... i try to fill 1 or 2 from my 5lb before i go top it off.

 

[MMc]

Well thanks. Here’s the most important part, where the fire pit will go in the Pelican case with a little firewood:)

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Obviously, I’m debating about adding a 5 lb vertical tank or extending the pipe to take one or two more 1 lb tanks. I really don’t want to add much to the height. I sure wish I could get a set of four 1 lb Flame Kings for under $100. That would be the best approach.

What is the deal about height? I don't understand.

 

[Jaytperry89]

I just switched to a 5lb tank with a gauge, $50 at Costco.com

https://www.costco.com/5-lbs.-steel-propane-cylinder-with-opd-valve-%2526-built-in-gauge.product.100734956.html

carry 2-3 one lbs for back up if on a long trip

I wish i would have found this earlier, i spent 80 bucks on mine, and it doesnt have a gauge.

 

[Kozysnack]

Well thanks. Here’s the most important part, where the fire pit will go in the Pelican case with a little firewood:)

View attachment 216969

Obviously, I’m debating about adding a 5 lb vertical tank or extending the pipe to take one or two more 1 lb tanks. I really don’t want to add much to the height. I sure wish I could get a set of four 1 lb Flame Kings for under $100. That would be the best approach.

Flame King Three 1 lb. Refillable Propane Cylinders with Refill Kit-YSN1LBKT-2CL - The Home Depot this is close

 

[Tundracamper]

Flame King Three 1 lb. Refillable Propane Cylinders with Refill Kit-YSN1LBKT-2CL - The Home Depot this is close

And it’s out of stock online and not available locally. So, that is not close:)

 

[Kozysnack]

And it’s out of stock online and not available locally. So, that is not close:)

okay that is true. BUT some how still in stock in Utha at Home | Out N Back | Orem, Utah
after looking into this, have they cleared the recalls?

 

[Tundracamper]

okay that is true. BUT some how still in stock in Utha at Home | Out N Back | Orem, Utah
after looking into this, have they cleared the recalls?

That link showed no results. I did recheck Amazon. Seems they do have the individual tanks in stock. Only $99 each! I do need to run a test to see how the new firepit does on the small tank. That may be a deciding factor. Maybe the Flame Kings will be more readily available by then.

 

[Kozysnack]

That link showed no results. I did recheck Amazon. Seems they do have the individual tanks in stock. Only $99 each! I do need to run a test to see how the new firepit does on the small tank. That may be a deciding factor. Maybe the Flame Kings will be more readily available by then.

Refillable Propane Canister - 000194056166 $18.99 I just order 4 and with shipping it was just under $100 bucks

 

[Tundracamper]

Update:

After deciding to go with the Camp Chef Portable Fire Pit, I decided 1 lb bottles were just going to be too small. I then came across a thread on another forum where someone transported a 5 lb tank in a spaghetti pot mounted on a roof rack. So, I came up with my own solution. I mounted two 8 qt cooking pots from WalMart (all of $9 each)





to a 1” thick piece of wood using 1/4” stainless bolts. These bolts only keep the pots in place - the wood is anchored to the roof rack. The two 5 lb tanks are placed in the pots and then the pots are secured with straps that pass though eyes anchored directly to the steel roof rack through the wood. With this approach, the wood isn’t carrying any load as all the load goes directly into the roof rack. This past week, I drove over 650 miles on the interstate and there was no wind noise or issues with the straps coming loose. I had planned to go off roading, but an illness nixed those plans. Hopefully, I’ll get this off road soon.

 

[genocache]

Nice fit! Whoda thunk? Did you drill drain holes?

 

[Sparksalot]

Update:

After deciding to go with the Camp Chef Portable Fire Pit, I decided 1 lb bottles were just going to be too small. I then came across a thread on another forum where someone transported a 5 lb tank in a spaghetti pot mounted on a roof rack. So, I came up with my own solution. I mounted two 8 qt cooking pots from WalMart (all of $9 each)


View attachment 226095


to a 1” thick piece of wood using 1/4” stainless bolts. These bolts only keep the pots in place - the wood is anchored to the roof rack. The two 5 lb tanks are placed in the pots and then the pots are secured with straps that pass though eyes anchored directly to the steel roof rack through the wood. With this approach, the wood isn’t carrying any load as all the load goes directly into the roof rack. This past week, I drove over 650 miles on the interstate and there was no wind noise or issues with the straps coming loose. I had planned to go off roading, but an illness nixed those plans. Hopefully, I’ll get this off road soon.

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On your way to the crab boil!

 

[MMc]

Nice! I love the way you are thinking.... I use a 13.8 gal tank that fits in a milk crate works great. Fits above or below.

 

[Tundracamper]

On your way to the crab boil!

Someone in a town where I parked to go shopping asked the exact same question! Guess I need to put a net up there as well:)

 

[Tundracamper]

Nice fit! Whoda thunk? Did you drill drain holes?

Yes, one. You can kinda see here, at 9 o’clock position.

 

[lhoffm4]

I second the refilling of the 1 lb tanks. Get an air fitting screw driver tool then you can top them off. Freezing them first does help to get more propane into them. Then when they warm up, they have more pressure to push the gas out.

 

[Autism Family Travels]

I was on the big superstore in the sky (amazon), and found a bunch of connectors for propane tanks with gauges in them, how good are these for accuracy?

 

[kunstmilch]

That’s how I store them. But, on the roof rack it has to be horizontal.

View attachment 216957

thats very cool.

 

[kunstmilch]

I was on the big superstore in the sky (amazon), and found a bunch of connectors for propane tanks with gauges in them, how good are these for accuracy?

I would say they are accurate enough to have a good idea. Not like you would know to the last drop but you'd have a good idea where you are at with your propane and know if you need to start cutting back on use in the middle of a trip.

 

[kunstmilch]

Update:

After deciding to go with the Camp Chef Portable Fire Pit, I decided 1 lb bottles were just going to be too small. I then came across a thread on another forum where someone transported a 5 lb tank in a spaghetti pot mounted on a roof rack. So, I came up with my own solution. I mounted two 8 qt cooking pots from WalMart (all of $9 each)


View attachment 226095


to a 1” thick piece of wood using 1/4” stainless bolts. These bolts only keep the pots in place - the wood is anchored to the roof rack. The two 5 lb tanks are placed in the pots and then the pots are secured with straps that pass though eyes anchored directly to the steel roof rack through the wood. With this approach, the wood isn’t carrying any load as all the load goes directly into the roof rack. This past week, I drove over 650 miles on the interstate and there was no wind noise or issues with the straps coming loose. I had planned to go off roading, but an illness nixed those plans. Hopefully, I’ll get this off road soon.

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View attachment 226102

well hot damn. If that aint cool. thank you for sharing that.