What to do with propane canisters

[KevDen2005]

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

[Eric P]

Refill them

[KevDen2005]

I thought it wasn't recommended to do that.

[newracer]

Punch a hole in them and recycle.

[MarkCO]

I thought it wasn't recommended to do that.

It is not by the manufacturers. I can show you pictures of the results if you do it wrong. While it can be done safely, it is beyond common knowledge, so if you want to do it, watch a few of the YouTube videos and make sure the follow the safety recommendations, and know the laws. To me, running Propane through a desiccator is not worth the effort.

The "Not Refillable" label means that they may not be refilled commercially. You, as an owner can refill it, but TRANSPORTING it is illegal. If you are caught on roads with refilled "Not Refillable" cylinders, you can be subject to a $10K fine and 5 years in a Federal Pokey. I have one seen one instance of a person being charged Federally for violating the DOT rules though. The reason for the prohibition is that the 1lb. cylinders don't have the same safety margin and if they rust internally, they can explode. I have worked on three cases where such did occur here in CO so far. Factory filled propane is dry, meaning no water. Bulk tanks that you get for your propane grill, and the Propane that goes into those from bulk plants is NOT dried. A few fillings and you can corrode the interior of the tank.

As to your original question, review this page: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdp...-and-canisters

I am a certified Propane Handler as well as Line and Appliance installer and regularly investigate Propane accidents for Government Agencies, Propane Suppliers as well as Insurance companies. I have been employed by DOT and Homeland to provide Safety Protocols related to this, and other Propane safety issues, so I am not just a common person on the subject. I hope that helps you make an informed decision.

[BladesNBarrels]

Leave it at the Propane cage at Home Depot and run away?

[izzy]

Punch a hole in them and recycle.

+1

[68Charger]

Punch a hole in them and recycle.

We'll leave it up to you what is best used to punch the hole
a while back my employer mandated that HDD be erased using a specific method or destroyed if non-functional... they were specific that at least 3 holes of 3/8" or larger had to be drilled thru the platters...
they had not setup anything in-house to do this, they were leaving it to each Dept. to handle on their own.... Dept. didn't own a drill, so I got permission to take them home to destroy them- but they wanted them back as proof.

so I put three holes thru them at my mini-ranch (they were of the .30 caliber variety, but the hole wound up lager than 3/8" after expansion), and brought them back to the office to turn in... the IT guy was a bit amused but agreed it met the requirements.

[KevDen2005]

We'll leave it up to you what is best used to punch the hole
a while back my employer mandated that HDD be erased using a specific method or destroyed if non-functional... they were specific that at least 3 holes of 3/8" or larger had to be drilled thru the platters...
they had not setup anything in-house to do this, they were leaving it to each Dept. to handle on their own.... Dept. didn't own a drill, so I got permission to take them home to destroy them- but they wanted them back as proof.

so I put three holes thru them at my mini-ranch (they were of the .30 caliber variety, but the hole wound up lager than 3/8" after expansion), and brought them back to the office to turn in... the IT guy was a bit amused but agreed it met the requirements.

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.

[00tec]

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.

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