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Stupid Propane Tank Tricks

April 16th, 2008 · by Tim Flanagan, Managing Editor

Propane_Setting

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…

Propane_Tanks

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:

Propane_TooTall1 Propane_TooTall2

…and the fat one is TOO FAT:

Propane_TooFat

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.

Tags: Galley · Safety

12 responses so far ↓

  • Patrick // Apr 16, 2008 at 9:29 pm

    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

  • Dwight // Apr 17, 2008 at 7:24 am

    Try Sure Marine in Ballard – lots of propane stuff

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  • Tim Flanagan, Managing Editor // Apr 17, 2008 at 10:08 am

    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.

  • Glen // May 25, 2008 at 2:07 pm

    Canadian Tire sells a little 8 pound cylinder, which has an 8″ diameter bottom, may be just what you are looking for.

  • Otter // Aug 29, 2008 at 4:45 pm

    O.K. I am reading farther here and see you tried some smaller tanks could the little one I have be a 2 pounder?

  • Tim Flanagan, Managing Editor // Sep 1, 2008 at 5:03 pm

    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.
    Otter's Propane Cylinder

  • Tom Elliott // Sep 2, 2008 at 11:01 am

    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.

  • Greg // Nov 22, 2008 at 7:43 pm

    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

  • Ben Gaetani // Jan 20, 2009 at 2:07 pm

    We sell 4.25 lb propane tanks. H = 12.5″ W = 8.5″ for $69.95 plus tax plus S+H. Hope this helps.

  • Matt Heyse // Jul 29, 2009 at 11:08 am

    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.

  • Matt Heyse // Jul 29, 2009 at 11:11 am

    Never mind :P a 2lb tank (is <4) and thus isn’t required to be OPD.

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