BWCA Disposing of 1 lb. propane cylinders Boundary Waters Listening Point - General Discussion
Chat Rooms (0 Chatting)  |  Search  |   Login/Join
* For the benefit of the community, commercial posting is not allowed.
Boundary Waters Quetico Forum
   Listening Point - General Discussion
      Disposing of 1 lb. propane cylinders     
 Forum Sponsor

Author

Text

01/04/2021 09:36PM  
Besides of the garbage can, is there a place to recycle/dispose of these 1 pound cylinders?
 
      Print Top Bottom Previous Next
analyzer
distinguished member(2162)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/04/2021 09:55PM  
I purchased an adapter that lets me re-fill them from a 20 lb tank. It seems to work better if you chill the 1 lb tank in the freezer before filling. The adapter was pretty cheap. I don't recall, but it was less than $20.

Otherwise, I suspect you could bring the empties to your county household hazardous waste site.
 
analyzer
distinguished member(2162)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/04/2021 09:58PM  
I think most of the time, those 1# cyl are something like $3 or $4, if not $5. But if you can swap out a 20# for $15-$17, that's less than $1 a pound. you'll pay for that adapter very quickly.
 
01/04/2021 10:20PM  
Menards has the adapter for around $5. I got one last year and refill my 1 pounders from a bigger tank. You attach the adapter to the big tank, screw on the 1 pound tank, flip the whole thing upside down on a table and open the valve. You can hear it filling. I usually disconnect, bleed some air and reattach to fill some more. Freezing the smaller tanks does help quite a bit. It’s a great way to save money and keep the empties out of landfills.

Tony
 
jhb8426
distinguished member(1440)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/05/2021 01:12AM  
OK, so all of the replies are WRT the refill adapter. How do you get rid of them???
 
billconner
distinguished member(8608)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
01/05/2021 05:32AM  
Take them to a hazardous waste disposal site.

Regarding refills (please don't shoot the messenger):
"Be advised that if you take a refilled single-use cylinder on a public right of way you are in violation of the DOT regulation (49 U.S.C. 5124) that applies to that device. The penalty, if you are caught, can be a fine up to $500,000 or 5 years imprisonment."

 
01/05/2021 05:42AM  
I live in Dakota County and take mine to their Hazardous Waste/Recycling center a few times a year - no charge.
 
01/05/2021 06:54AM  
Give this a try.

Or, relieve all the leftover pressure, cut the tank in half and toss it in the garbage.
 
tumblehome
distinguished member(2911)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/05/2021 07:04AM  
billconner: "Take them to a hazardous waste disposal site.


Regarding refills (please don't shoot the messenger):
"Be advised that if you take a refilled single-use cylinder on a public right of way you are in violation of the DOT regulation (49 U.S.C. 5124) that applies to that device. The penalty, if you are caught, can be a fine up to $500,000 or 5 years imprisonment."

"


Yeahaaa....

Inmate: “What you in for convict?”

Me: “I refilled my propane cylinder. Got me five years.”

 
billconner
distinguished member(8608)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
01/05/2021 07:49AM  
Perhaps 5 years seems too little if his reused cylinder was implicated in casualties.

Consider 1 pound reuseable cylinders as a safer, mor environmentally friendly, and fully legal solution.
FlameKing

A little more:


RVTravel article

 
01/05/2021 07:55AM  
i heard refilling from a bulk tank can damage a mr. heater style (the square heating element kind) if not ran through a filter,
thanks for all the replies.
 
Savage Voyageur
distinguished member(14414)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished membermaster membermaster member
  
01/05/2021 09:27AM  
They are considered hazardous waste. What makes them hazardous waste is they might have some gas left in them, basically a tiny bomb under pressure. We had many of these from camping trips that were empty. I would empty them and cut them in half on my band saw. Then they are just metal, so you just toss them in any metal recycling bin. My work had a metal recycling bin that I would bring them to. Any landfill has a separate bin to toss metal into. That metal does not go into the landfill, it gets shredded and reused. Any auto or diesel shop has a metal recycling bin too. Ask to see if you can toss them in.
 
01/05/2021 09:30AM  
I'm on the side of disposing properly as I have been close to a 1 pound refill blowing up. Removed the back half of the vehicle and collapsed the carport it was parked under. The original propane valves were not designed for re-filling.
Another reason to go with iso-butane, they can be pierced and crushed easily for disposal.

If you want to dispose of propane tanks at home remove the valve core with a bicycle valve tool to fully drain, then cut or crush as best you can and toss in trash.

butthead
 
01/05/2021 10:54AM  
Savage Voyageur: "They are considered hazardous waste. What makes them hazardous waste is they might have some gas left in them, basically a tiny bomb under pressure. We had many of these from camping trips that were empty. I would empty them and cut them in half on my band saw. Then they are just metal, so you just toss them in any metal recycling bin. My work had a metal recycling bin that I would bring them to. Any landfill has a separate bin to toss metal into. That metal does not go into the landfill, it gets shredded and reused. Any auto or diesel shop has a metal recycling bin too. Ask to see if you can toss them in. "


Thanks for this reply SV. I think we're once again ready to enter into a landfill crisis and I do everything I can not to dispose something that can be recycled (with a bit of work, I admit). I once heard a great quote about "throwing things away" ... there is no "away".
 
ayudell
distinguished member (156)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/05/2021 04:01PM  
billconner: "Perhaps 5 years seems too little if his reused cylinder was implicated in casualties.


Consider 1 pound reuseable cylinders as a safer, mor environmentally friendly, and fully legal solution.
FlameKing


A little more:



RVTravel article


"


I'd like to reiterate how nice these Flameking reusables are. They have a higher quality valve, so they are DOT legal after refill. They also have a bleeder screw so you can bleed them as you are filling, and get a full fill every time without messing around. They are about $14 each. I have 4 that I use for ice fishing, and I can burn a pound of propane for $0.75 instead of $4.50 and not create hazardous water in the process. When you refill, make sure to do it outside the garage, and preferably with a bit of a breeze, as some propane does get loose through the bleeder.
 
lundojam
distinguished member(2726)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/05/2021 06:07PM  
They take them at the regular recycling place in Grand Marais in the box marked "steel." Right as you are headed up the trail on your right.
 
analyzer
distinguished member(2162)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/05/2021 06:12PM  
billconner: "Take them to a hazardous waste disposal site.


Regarding refills (please don't shoot the messenger):
"Be advised that if you take a refilled single-use cylinder on a public right of way you are in violation of the DOT regulation (49 U.S.C. 5124) that applies to that device. The penalty, if you are caught, can be a fine up to $500,000 or 5 years imprisonment."


"


Thanks, I didn't know that. Much obliged.
 
tumblehome
distinguished member(2911)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/05/2021 07:23PM  
billconner: "Take them to a hazardous waste disposal site.


Regarding refills (please don't shoot the messenger):
"Be advised that if you take a refilled single-use cylinder on a public right of way you are in violation of the DOT regulation (49 U.S.C. 5124) that applies to that device. The penalty, if you are caught, can be a fine up to $500,000 or 5 years imprisonment."


"


Bill you are incorrect. Your DOT reference is when in commerce. An individual traveling on public roads not in comerse is exempt from DOT regulations.
 
brp
distinguished member (164)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/05/2021 11:31PM  
I’d be really careful about cutting those, most cutting involves heat or sparks. If you remove the valve core I suggest filling with water to make sure all residual explosive gas is out.
 
billconner
distinguished member(8608)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberpower member
  
01/06/2021 06:50AM  
tumblehome: "
billconner: "Take them to a hazardous waste disposal site.



Regarding refills (please don't shoot the messenger):
"Be advised that if you take a refilled single-use cylinder on a public right of way you are in violation of the DOT regulation (49 U.S.C. 5124) that applies to that device. The penalty, if you are caught, can be a fine up to $500,000 or 5 years imprisonment."



"



Bill you are incorrect. Your DOT reference is when in commerce. An individual traveling on public roads not in comerse is exempt from DOT regulations."


First, I said don't shoot the messenger. I only offered a quote. :) Next, can you provide a source for your statement? I find its illegal to commercially refill these, and illegal to transport on federally funded roads (virtually all roads I believe), but can't find a single source about applying to only commercial transport. The general concept that DOT regs only apply to commercial vehicles seems not yo hold for hazardous materials. Still have to wonder why refill bottles not designed to be refilled.



 
Savage Voyageur
distinguished member(14414)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished membermaster membermaster member
  
01/06/2021 08:40AM  
It’s crazy laws like the one Bill posted that make me form my opinions I have about
Lawyers and Law Makers.
 
tumblehome
distinguished member(2911)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/06/2021 06:07PM  
Bill,
DOT Hazardous materials transportation regulations apply to in-commerce activities. Think of it this way. If you buy a couple cases of fireworks to take to the cabin, you are permitted to transport them over a pupblic roadway without the requirements of placarding your vehicle, having a hazmat license, driving a DOT inspected vehicle, proper insurance to transport explosives and maintaining log books.

Take those same cases of fireworks and put them into a commercial carrier vehicle and all of that applies.

Snip< The Secretary of the Department of Transportation receives the authority to regulate the transportation of hazardous materials from the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act (HMTA), (1) the manufacture, fabrication, marking, maintenance, reconditioning, repair, testing, or distribution of packages or containers for use by any "person" in the transportation of hazardous materials in commerce; or (2) the transportation or shipment by any "person" of hazardous materials in "commerce."> SNIP

I am involved in an industry that transports hazardous materials both in commerce and not in commerce. I have written signed documentation signed by an authority with the Federal DOT spelling this out clearly if you want me to post that too.

Of course there are state, and local laws that come into play. And to willfully cause injury or damage to people or property is not part of CFR49 hazardous materials

Tom



 
01/07/2021 12:29PM  
brp: "I’d be really careful about cutting those, most cutting involves heat or sparks. If you remove the valve core I suggest filling with water to make sure all residual explosive gas is out. "
i was thinking the same thing . i knew a guy who was welding his gas tank , filled with water , then emptied , starting welding and he had a mini explosion , tank stayed together but turned into a pillow tank. becareful for sure ,
 
01/07/2021 12:53PM  
butthead: " If you want to dispose of propane tanks at home remove the valve core with a bicycle valve tool to fully drain,
butthead"


Do you have a video or link showing how to remove the valve core with the bicycle tool? I tried to google it and couldn't find any info on how to do this.
 
01/07/2021 01:36PM  
Canoearoo: "
butthead: " If you want to dispose of propane tanks at home remove the valve core with a bicycle valve tool to fully drain,
butthead"



Do you have a video or link showing how to remove the valve core with the bicycle tool? I tried to google it and couldn't find any info on how to do this."


Here you go: Remove Valve Core . The core is the same Schrader valve core that's in your vehicle tires, etc, and there are many variations of the tool shown in this video, but you get the idea...

TZ
 
thegildedgopher
distinguished member(1659)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/07/2021 01:38PM  
Canoearoo: "
butthead: " If you want to dispose of propane tanks at home remove the valve core with a bicycle valve tool to fully drain,
butthead"



Do you have a video or link showing how to remove the valve core with the bicycle tool? I tried to google it and couldn't find any info on how to do this."


EDIT: oops, TZ beat me to it ;)

I think it's just a standard schrader valve, same as your car and most bike tries. Buy a "tire tackle" kit at your local car parts store (about 5 bucks), it comes with new valve cores, a tool, and some patching stuff for emergencies. The tool fits snugly inside the valve stem, engages the core, and you just turn the tool counter clockwise to remove the core.

Caveat: Never done this on a propane can, I bring mine to hazardous waste. But I had a leaky valve stem on my truck that wouldn't allow the tire to hold air. Removing and replacing the valve stems was VERY simple.
 
01/07/2021 01:54PM  
It does take a long stem valve tool or can be vented with needle nose pliers. I have no video but a link to How to Completely Refill a 1lb "disposable" Propane Bottle

In the 60's I did this for my father. he insisted on venting the 14 ounce propane torch tanks he emptied. Wear gloves the propane residue is very cold when venting, do it outdoors.

butthead
 
THEGrandRapids
distinguished member (377)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/07/2021 02:09PM  
I've used them as .22 targets. The first hit they like to generate some sideways movement and after that they are empty. Can take about 2 or 3 dozen hits before they really fall apart. Zero chance they can explode with out a significant delayed and powerful incendiary round. Fairly fumey the first time you go down to reset them.
 
Z4K
distinguished member (392)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/07/2021 05:11PM  
butthead: "I'm on the side of disposing properly as I have been close to a 1 pound refill blowing up. Removed the back half of the vehicle and collapsed the carport it was parked under. The original propane valves were not designed for re-filling."


Yes they are easy to refill and legal to transport in a personal vehicle for personal use after refilling. They are still dangerous! You should assume that they will leak. Risks associated (asphyxiation, explosion) are mitigated by simply never placing them in an enclosed space after refilling. That includes pickups with toppers/toneaus. Car trunks especially can get very hot on a long drive north and that temperature change is often what will cause them to leak.
 
01/07/2021 05:53PM  
THEGrandRapids: "I've used them as .22 targets. The first hit they like to generate some sideways movement and after that they are empty. Can take about 2 or 3 dozen hits before they really fall apart. Zero chance they can explode with out a significant delayed and powerful incendiary round. Fairly fumey the first time you go down to reset them. "


This is what we usually do but bullets are getting harder to find and aren't as cheap as they use to be so I was looking for a simpler way. Thank you
 
cmanimal
distinguished member (123)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/08/2021 01:47PM  
It may depend on where you live.
The Winona county Mn hazardous waste won't take them but the metal recycler in the city of Winona will.
 
snaebyllej
  
01/10/2021 09:45PM  
Hennepin County takes them.
 
tumblehome
distinguished member(2911)distinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished memberdistinguished member
  
01/11/2021 07:52AM  
As far as recycling,
I do empty them out and crush them. I do the same with the butane canisters. Although once I get around to it, I will start refilling them. Not rocket science.
Tom
 
      Print Top Bottom Previous Next
Listening Point - General Discussion Sponsor:
Sawbill Canoe Outfitters