So I’ve been thinking: wouldn’t it be great to run the Magma Kettle 2 grill off something refillable, rather than those disposable 16-oz. cylinders discussed last time? Not only are they an expensive way to purchase propane, but there’s no recycling program for them. That’s wasteful times two!
Instead, I want something I can refill with bulk propane, like the big 20-pound tanks used for backyard gas grills. Except I don’t want to carry one of those enormous tanks on my little C-Dory. I want something smaller, about one-quarter that size. Lo and behold…
Here are two such tanks. The shorter, fatter one on the left is available at REI, and the taller one on the right, made by Manchester, is available at Fisheries Supply. My mission: find one that fits into the little port-side lazarette on my C-Dory 22. My understanding is that this locker is suitable for propane storage because it vents overboard, not into the cockpit.
Everything was proceeding according to plan, until I got the tanks down to the boat.
The tall one is TOO TALL:
…and the fat one is TOO FAT:
I tell you, this was a big disappointment. I guess I’m back to disposable cylinders. But SHEESH! There MUST be a solution that will work aboard Two Lucky Fish.
Guess what? There is one! More on that tomorrow.
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If you post the measurements I’m sure you’d get 50 posts of people who could find you containers that will fit your lazerette.
Also, are you sure about that venting? I’d try puring some water in there and making sure you see it come out off the boat and not in the bilge, cockpit or just stay put. A lot of boats have some electronics in the lazerette as well which would be very scary.
Good luck though, I think the idea is spot on!
-patrick
Try Sure Marine in Ballard – lots of propane stuff
Patrick, I feel kinda silly that I didn’t measure the two tanks before returning them to the merchants. What was I thinking!
Dwight, thanks for the lead…haven’t been by there.
Canadian Tire sells a little 8 pound cylinder, which has an 8″ diameter bottom, may be just what you are looking for.
O.K. I am reading farther here and see you tried some smaller tanks could the little one I have be a 2 pounder?
Otter sent me a picture of hers, which, it turns out, is a 4.25-LB tank, 10 3/8″ tall x 8 1/2″ diameter. THAT just might fit.
Hey Tim you should try a side mounting tank. Go to thte Rv store and look around and you should be able to find a tank that can lay on its side. Just make sure you fill it while its on its side. I have two in my camper. Great for small spots. Also look at the fiberglass tanks, no rust in our salt water enviroment. My mom just got one for her boat.
I’d like to know where to get the 4.25 lb tank pictured above that is 10-3/8″ x 8-1/2″. Can anyone help me out?
Thanks
We sell 4.25 lb propane tanks. H = 12.5″ W = 8.5″ for $69.95 plus tax plus S+H. Hope this helps.
Your “Fat” tank appears to be a worthington steel 4.25lb tank Which is 9.1″ in Diameter and 11.8″ Tall
Spec sheet:
ishttp://www.worthingtoncylinders.com/Libraries/pdfs/Propane_Steel_Portable.sflb.ashx
Manchester makes a 5LB steel tank thats 8″D and 12″H which is signicanly thinner but barly .2″ taller.
http://www.mantank.com/products/steel_propane/5-10.htm
From your images It looks like if you cut the doors ribs (in just three places) you could get the Manchester tank to fit (clear the collar)
I have no Idea what Otter’s Tank is but looking at the Valve Handle the good money says its not OPD (but could be converted) the problem is that it might not be made anymore.
Never mind
a 2lb tank (is <4) and thus isn’t required to be OPD.
Without going into tank sizes, which you can discover at any KNOWLEDGEABLE propane dealer, MAKE SURE you get an ALUMINUM tank. There are tanks specifically made for marine use that come in many sizes and shapes; they are all aluminum and NOT inexpensive. I have seen the steel tanks someone bought somewhere to use on a boat; usually after a couple of years I can even tell and ask if they are used on a boat. The owner always is amazed and asks how I would know that….its easy. The salt water is unforgiving. I’ve seen the bottom blow out of a standard steel tank after only a couple of years on a boat. The guy didn’t believe me when I told him I didn’t want to fill it; he walked away a believer. Why would someone spend all kinds of money on special brass and nickel alloys for marine use, but not do the same for a vessel used to hold pressurized (over 100 PSI) flammable gas…? Anyway, make sure there is also venting as propane is heavier than air, expands 270 times in volume when going from liquid to gas, and is flammable at a ratio of about 2%. I assume you’re not trying to put an open fire pit on board…the problem with this scenario is that you are floating ON the fire pit! On the other hand, the bilge pump might make an interesting flame thrower…
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