Propane Gas Cylinders
By Wayne Berry

The use of gas cookers for frying turkeys has ballooned in popularity over the past few years. This increase in residential use of propane appliances for outdoor cooking resulted in many happy eaters and a few unhappy cooks.

The National Fire Data Center estimates in 1998 outdoor cookers and grills caused 6,000 fires, 5 fatalities, 170 injuries, and $35 million in property loss. Most of the gas cooker/grill fires and explosions were caused by gas leaks, blocked tubes, and overfilled propane tanks.

Critical Issue
A 20 lb. cylinder does not necessarily weigh 20 lbs. The 20 lbs. is in reference to the weight of the gas you put into the cylinder. Overfilling errors stem from the filling process. It only takes a few seconds to go from a cylinder filled to the safe legal capacity to one that is completely filled.

A rise in cylinder temperature causes propane to expand. Proper filling allows enough space for this expansion under normal atmospheric conditions. Watch the refilling process closely and keep your eye on the overall weight. The attendant should check the weight on a scale before and after filling. The weight of the empty tank or tare weight should increase by no more than 20 lbs. once the refilling process is completed. Note in Figure No. 1 the tare weight is 18 lbs. The total weight should not exceed 38 lbs when filling this cylinder.

All new cylinders manufactured after 1998 are required to have an overfill protection device (OPD) that mechanically prevents overfilling. Your old cylinder may not have this crucial safety device. If it does not, play it safe by replacing it immediately.

To reduce the risk of fire or explosion, consumers should routinely perform the following safety checks:

Bringing the cooker/grill out of storage:
Cookers, hoses and other burner accessories stored for extended periods may have become a home for insects or spiders and clogged by food grease or other debris. A quick run through with a pipe cleaner should clear any hazardous blockages and insure proper burner performance.

Outward appearances are important.
Consider replacing or trading in your LP gas cylinder if:

• severe rust or corrosion is evident in the surface of the cylinder or around the valve.
• dents, cuts or scrapes along the surface.
• it is 12 years or older. (Check the date on the side of the cylinder (mm/yy to find out).
  
  Age is a factor. Check propane hoses and regulators for:
  
• Cracking, brittleness, holes, and leaks,
• sharp bends in the hose or tubing,
• scratched or nicked connectors, which can eventually leak gas if not replaced.
  
  Houston, we have a problem. Check for gas leaks.
  The odorant in propane gas is a good indicator of leaks. However, weather may reduce your capability to detect the odorant. Always double-check the connections by coating all connections with a soapy solution (one part dish soap to two parts water). Resulting bubbles will be a more positive leak indicator. Fix any leaks before attempting to light the cooker or grill. Moreover, keep lighted cigarettes, matches, or open flames away from a leaking grill.
  
  Location, Location, Location:
  Only grill outdoors. Don't be tempted to use grills under patios or inside a garage on rainy days. Cook outdoors at least 10 feet away from your house or any building.
  
  Never, ever:
  
• store a spare gas container under or near the grill or indoors;
• transport the container in an unsecured position (position other than upright);
• keep a filled container in a hot car or car trunk. Heat will cause the gas pressure to increase, which may open the relief valve and allow gas to escape;
• store or use flammable liquids, like gasoline, near the cooker or grill.
  
  Little known facts:
  Grills manufactured after October 1, 1995, are required to have three additional safety features to eliminate leak hazards:
       1. a device to limit the flow of gas in the event of hose rupture,
       2. a mechanism to shut-off the grill,
       3. a feature to prevent the flow of gas if the connection between the tank and      the grill is not leak proof.
  
  Consider retiring your grill if it does not have these safety features.
  
  Recalls to Take Note of
  The following is a partial list of recalls on outdoor gas equipment. Take a couple of moments to verify that your equipment is not on this list:
  
  Gas Hose Recalls
  Ruiz & Mele (June 20, 1996)
  Parker Hannifin Corp. 1/4-Inch Gas Hoses (MAY 26, 1992)
  Gasoline Hose Swivel Connectors Recalled by Dover/OPW (July 22, 1986)
  LP-Gas Regulator Recalled by RegO (September 6, 1984)
  A-L Series Unitrols Recalled by Robertshaw (May 18, 1984)
  LP Valves Recalled by Robertshaw (May 16, 1984)
  Honeywell-V5130 Gas Valve Announcing Issuance Of Complaint (April 24, 1984)
  Gas Appliance Connector Valves Recalled by Brass Craft (June 1, 1982)
  Gas Control Valves Recalled By Honeywell (January 15, 1982)
  
  Gas Cylinder Recalls
  Propane Cylinders Recalled by R4 Technical Center (August 30, 2000)
  Propane Cylinders Recalled by AmeriGas Propane L.P. (July 28, 2000)
  Fuel Cylinders Recalled by Cleanweld (October 26, 1978)
  
  Gas Grills
  Gas Grills Recalled by Williams-Sonoma (August 10, 2000)
  Gas Grills Recalled by Coleman (August 1, 2000)
  Tru-Burn Portable LP Gas Grills Recalled by Kmart (May 11, 1999)
  Gas Grills With Side Burners Recalled by Sunbeam (November 5, 1998)
  Deluxe Grill Rocks Recalled by Keanall Products (May 4, 1998)
  Gas Grills With Side Burners Recalled by Sunbeam Products (March 23, 1998)
  Gas Grill Cylinders Recall by Rotarex & Worthington (August 26, 1997)
  Table Top Grills Recall/Repair by Char-Broil (June 26, 1996)
  60 Second Grill Recalled by Creative Technologies (November 14, 1995)
  Smoker Grills Free Fix Kit by Meco Corporation (June 8, 1995)
  Smoker Grills Free Kit by Morrone Co. (January 26, 1995)
  Electric Crock Grill Replacement Program by Rival (January 30, 1995)
  Sunbeam-Oster Voluntarily Recalls Certain Electric Indoor Grills (NOVEMBER 12, 1993)
  Thermos To Replace Gas Grill Part (May 17, 1991)
  Some Thermos, Structo Gas Grills To Be Retrofitted To Prevent Fire Hazard (March 7, 1990)
  Propane Grills Modification Kits by Sunbeam Leisure (June 2, 1988)
  LP Gas Grills Safety Alert by W.C. Bradley (April 12, 1988)
  Valves On Gas Grills Recalled by King Seeley Thermos (October 1, 1979)
  
  References:
  
  National Fire Protection Association, LP-Gas Code Handbook
  United States Fire Administration, National Fire Data Center,Outdoor Cooking Fires
  Consumer Product Safety Commission, www.cpsc.org/recalls.html