Propane use

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save$

Minister of Fire
Sep 22, 2008
1,903
Chelsea Maine
After many years of not allowing a gas stove in the house, my wife has become more comfortable with the idea of cooking with gas. We have it in our travel trailer and she does well with that one. Her fear came from an oven that blew up in her face when we were in military housing back in the late 60's. (yes, it take a long timer for her to change her mind on something!)
Anyway, what I wanted to know is about propane use and the tank. Any reason I can't hook a cooking stove to two 30 gallon tanks kept outside? That way I can take the tanks to be filled and keep away from any contracts. Only the two of us, and I like cooking breakfast on a gas stove.
 
I have a 500 gallon tank outside and this November will be yr 3 without a fill. We only use ProPain for cooking.

Still at 40%-45% (about 42% if I had to guess accurately). I get charged about $20 a yr for Tank rental and now after the 2nd yr of no fills, I get charged a No usage fee of $99.99. So when its all gone, I will be using 2-100 gallon tanks....

2- 30 gallon tanks should be sufficient. IMO....

But a slightly larger tank will allow you to buy more fuel when prices dip.
 
Thanks, I don't think I can handle a larger tank. If larger, I would end up with taking a delivery. Around here, people who use only a little gas get to pay 3 times as much. I so hate having being abused by oil and gas companies.
My oil fired hot water heater only sips oil.
 
I have a 100 lb tank that the gas co owns, along with the regulator. I also have a 40 lb in line as a back up. My first here year a top off cost $17.00. Then they went to $75.00 minimum fee, then $95.00 lat year. I am going to buy my own 100 and tell them to come get theirs. I might try the 40 alone, as we only use propane for the stove.
 
We have a 100# tank that I bought for our gas cooktop. It's on year 2.5 from the last fill up and still has 30% left after active use.
 
Around here as long as you own your tank theres no minimums or fees for not using enough or contracts.

I use about 250-300 gals a year for hot water and grilling. ;)

Just purchased a tank fill(300 gals) for .89/gallon. :)
 
After many years of not allowing a gas stove in the house, my wife has become more comfortable with the idea of cooking with gas. We have it in our travel trailer and she does well with that one. Her fear came from an oven that blew up in her face when we were in military housing back in the late 60's. (yes, it take a long timer for her to change her mind on something!)
Anyway, what I wanted to know is about propane use and the tank. Any reason I can't hook a cooking stove to two 30 gallon tanks kept outside? That way I can take the tanks to be filled and keep away from any contracts. Only the two of us, and I like cooking breakfast on a gas stove.
I stopped using my 100LB tank because I can't handle it anymore, I now use a 20LB BBQ tank for my gas cook stove, it has electronic ignition so no pilot light, works fine and lasts me about 3 1/2 months or so, but I don't cook a whole lot only about 1 meal a day....Hope this helps.....
 
I stopped using my 100LB tank because I can't handle it anymore, I now use a 20LB BBQ tank for my gas cook stove, it has electronic ignition so no pilot light, works fine and lasts me about 3 1/2 months or so, but I don't cook a whole lot only about 1 meal a day....Hope this helps.....
I was thinking that would be fine. Really wanted to know was posible not to use those larger tanks. My wife cooks some every day, and I like to cook breakfast, so even if I changed two tanks every couple of months, that would not be too bad. I amgettingready to drop a 2x3 ft cement pad where the tanks would go. That way I'll be ready to make the transition whenever we can put it all togerther. My next project is going to be to change the floors. Out with the rungs and in with one of those flooting floors. I was thinking hardwood, but that scratches too easily. My two labs would have it all scratched up in no time. My daughter has had one down (pergo) for over 10 years and it still looks good.
 
Do the 100 lb tanks typically have a real gauge? I know the big 30# RV tanks do not, nor the 20# BBQ size tanks. Up to the 100 gallon pig size tank you can plop it right next to the building, above that and you have to deal with setbacks and burying the lines.
 
Do the 100 lb tanks typically have a real gauge? I know the big 30# RV tanks do not, nor the 20# BBQ size tanks. Up to the 100 gallon pig size tank you can plop it right next to the building, above that and you have to deal with setbacks and burying the lines.
I have not seen a guage on a 100lb tank in my neck of the woods.
 
100 # dont come with a gauge. 124's do but that's a little big to take in to have filled.
 
Do the 100 lb tanks typically have a real gauge? I know the big 30# RV tanks do not, nor the 20# BBQ size tanks. Up to the 100 gallon pig size tank you can plop it right next to the building, above that and you have to deal with setbacks and burying the lines.

Our tank has a gauge.
 
What's the difference in price between delivered and get-it-yourself for you? We don't have any contract, but they do deliver it (we own the tank). I haven't even thought to ask what kind of premium we paid for the delivery. But, if all you use it for is cooking, the use rate is quite small and I sure don't want to have to deal with wrestling around with big tanks. But it all depends on the price difference. For me anyway, delivery service is well worth it and the last price didn't seem that bad but I can't find the receipt right now.

Oh, and ours does have a % gauge but I'm not sure of the capacity.
 
Okay, I just measured it. It's about 24" diameter and about 30" high. How many pounds is that?
 
No real savings for those using under 100 pounds

At 80% fill rate on a 20 lb tank, that equals 16 lbs of propane.
16 lbs divided by 4.11 lbs per gal = 3.89 gal used
$18.00 divided by 3.89 = $4.62 per gallon

The advantage "only" is that you are dependent on yourself. I don't want any contracts of any kind for anything I can do for myself. I don't even use garbage pickup preferring to go to the dump myself.
In this area, even high volumn propane use is still very costly.
I heat my home with pellets, burning 4 to 5 tons during most winters. My cost about $1000. But for oil I would be paying twice that if not more. Most of my oil burning friends are paying 3 to 4 grand per year, and their home isn't as warm as mine.
 
I was thinking that would be fine. Really wanted to know was posible not to use those larger tanks. My wife cooks some every day, and I like to cook breakfast, so even if I changed two tanks every couple of months, that would not be too bad. I amgettingready to drop a 2x3 ft cement pad where the tanks would go. That way I'll be ready to make the transition whenever we can put it all togerther. My next project is going to be to change the floors. Out with the rungs and in with one of those flooting floors. I was thinking hardwood, but that scratches too easily. My two labs would have it all scratched up in no time. My daughter has had one down (pergo) for over 10 years and it still looks good.

I put down Dupont Real Touch laminate flooring in the addition, and it is tough stuff. I have not scratched or dented it yet, and I am still working on the addition. 30 yr warranty. Floating is the way to go.
 
No reason why you can't use the 100# tanks. You may be able to rent the tanks and regulator but perhaps it is better to own it as then you are free to purchase wherever you want.
 
Looks like it's only $150 or so for a brand new 100 lb tank.
 
Looks like it's only $150 or so for a brand new 100 lb tank.
Thanks, I've got a few projects going, but getting a propane stove is near the top. If I get the pad in before winter, then it won't matter if I convert when the snow in on the ground.
 
A 100# tank is no big deal. That's like having to pull a bale of hay from the back of your truck. It is also a very common size and about the biggest I would want to have to manhandle. I do not think they are 24" across though, closer to a foot but taller than 4 feet. Looks more like one of the big helium tanks or the large chlorine gas tanks we use for drinking water.
 
Save$, your signature says "OAK and what a change". I assume you meant outside air kit. Just curious what you mean by "what a change".

Oops, no hijack intended, I can start a new thread if necessary.
 
I was thinking that would be fine. Really wanted to know was posible not to use those larger tanks. My wife cooks some every day, and I like to cook breakfast, so even if I changed two tanks every couple of months, that would not be too bad. I amgettingready to drop a 2x3 ft cement pad where the tanks would go. That way I'll be ready to make the transition whenever we can put it all togerther. My next project is going to be to change the floors. Out with the rungs and in with one of those flooting floors. I was thinking hardwood, but that scratches too easily. My two labs would have it all scratched up in no time. My daughter has had one down (pergo) for over 10 years and it still looks good.
Save yourself some work on that 2x3 ft pad,pick up a sidewalk paver at your local stone and block yard(or Hdwe store). Its about $15 measures 2'x3' and about 2" thick. I get my 20LB tanks filled for $13 so i guess thats about 4 gal so paying $3+ Per Gallon
 
Save$, your signature says "OAK and what a change". I assume you meant outside air kit. Just curious what you mean by "what a change".

Oops, no hijack intended, I can start a new thread if necessary.
1. No more drafty floors. (without OAK, the was negative pressure sucking cold air in from every crack the air could come through). 2. Better burn as my home is fairly tight. IMO, a lot of return for a minor expense.
 
1. No more drafty floors. (without OAK, the was negative pressure sucking cold air in from every crack the air could come through). 2. Better burn as my home is fairly tight. IMO, a lot of return for a minor expense.
Interesting that you noticed it that much.

Back to your originally scheduled program.
 
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