What to do with propane canisters

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Originally Posted by 00tec

We have shot full ones. No fireball yet, but they will fly at you sometimes due to the rapid decompression.

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Partial or full, they don't "chemically" explode, but they do decompress. That is one of the things Homeland hired me to work on...shooting tanks. Someone "thought" a sniper could shoot a tank in a rack (like in front of a big box store, gas station, etc.) and they would create a bomb. Proven that wrong, on film at Clear Creek Range many years ago. The FD (just up from the range) was on site and hid behind the pumper next to the outhouses while we shot Propane Tanks. There are methods, which I can not write on an open forum, but they are not "simple" and that satisfied Homelands fears. So, in essence, you can thank me that propane exchange racks are still legal, because they were going to ban them.

The "plan" to prevent a massive explosion at a large bulk facility due to a nefarious attack was more interesting, and more complicated. Our plan (which is really just common sense) was rejected by Homeland for two installations, and then after they noodled on it for 6 months, approved and implemented.

Some campgrounds have bins where they will take old propane canisters to recycle. Don't know if there's anyplace in the metro area that can do that though. You would think with all the outdoors-people here someone would figure out a way to collect them.

I've always hated the waste of the disposable canisters - you almost never run them completely empty so you always end up throwing away some propane. Eventually I just got an adapter that lets me use a refillable 20lb canister with the camp stove and that's what we use.

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Originally Posted by KevDen2005

I see! I might be testing this soon.

I'm a little paranoid though, I know there is no fuel left in these canisters, but I guess I'm a worrier.

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Just be careful of yourself and your surroundings.

As already stated, the rapid decompression caused them to fly, aka shrapnel. Also, a few your back there was a fire near Eleven Mile Resv. that was attributed to someone shooting propane tanks.

You're a smart guy and I know you'll use sound judgement.

I am not going to do this but I am curious on distance and time....

Say a canister is full, what distance should be given for it to decompress safely?

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Originally Posted by KevDen2005

I am not going to do this but I am curious on distance and time....

Say a canister is full, what distance should be given for it to decompress safely?

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We shot a full one With a 375 Win. It landed about 25 or 30 yards closer to us than it was placed.

If you put the canister in the middle of a roadway, and shoot a hole in it while driving away in a vehicle, you'll greatly reduced your risk of being hit by the bottle while at the same time, hardly breaking any laws.

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Originally Posted by KevDen2005

I am not going to do this but I am curious on distance and time....

Say a canister is full, what distance should be given for it to decompress safely?

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I have been able to propel 1# canisters just over 100 yards with almost perfect conditions...for informational purposes only.

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Originally Posted by KevDen2005

What do I do with empty one pound canisters (the green ones). I'm sure I shouldn't just throw them away.

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If you have a regular use for 1 lb. canisters then refilling them is an economical option. I can refill ~21-22 canisters for the cost of about 8 new ones from the store. Educate yourself and do it carefully. I stock about 60 canisters and do a refill marathon every 2 or 3 years with a refill valve, a scale and a 20 lb. bottle. I mostly use them during hunting season for lighting with my Buddy heaters. They are an important back up prep. Reuse is better than recycle if you can do it properly. If you're likely to shoot yourself in the foot while drawing then you probably should pass on this money saving operation. Handling gunpowder and propane both involve risk.

Alternative idea: https://www.ar-15.co/threads/166274-...ty-thing-to-do

Refill the bottles, poorly, then put them in your empty Amazon boxes on the front porch. When the boxes get picked up, call the police with the plate number so they'll get nailed for transporting refilled propane containers!

EDIT: As a back up measure, also fill the boxes with dog doo and write both the send to and return address to Les Fletcher of Plano, TX.

Harbor Freight sells an adapter to hook the canisters to a 20# tank. Instructions simply say attach, tip 20# upside down, open valve and fill small 1 pounder. Stop when filling stops.
If they sell it, it has to be safe. Right?.
Just kidding, but they really do sell the gizmo.