Need some help! I just had my propane tank refilled today. At the time it was probably 55F outside. I had it sitting out in the shade (now about 70-75f) and I heard some hissing as well as the smell of propane. I believe due to the increase in temp, the release valve(B on the pic) was triggered since it is now overfilled.
I hooked it up to my grill based on what I was reading online in an attempt to use up some of the propane. I had it running with three burners on for 10min thinking that would be enough. I turn it off, then realize that the pipes have frost on them and also a slight lesser hissing sound (presumably more release valve).
I turn it back on momentarily, but within second, see some type of liquid shooting out of (part A). Terrified, I turn it off. Not sure if what was shooting out was propane, but I wasn’t going to take my chances.
Can anyone confirm, was it propane shooting out of A (I think the LPG regulator)?
What should I do now? Just let the release valve do its job? Let it air out and it should eventually release enough to get it no longer overfilled?
I’m a bit scared to turn the grill back on at the moment.
by BenchOrnery9790
8 Comments
Complete beginner here when it comes to propane. But exactly because of that, I would give the refueler (maybe wrong term) a call and ask them to check it.
If it is over filled there is a flat head screw on the side of the brass part of the tank just open it for a minute and let some out
The worst burn I’ve ever bet had was a propane burn be careful
Next time fill only 70%
Small leak
It’s fine. Just make sure it’s connected tightly and it’ll work fine. There’s a relief that prevents anything major from happening.
Unless this tank is very old it has an OPD. overfill protection device and won’t allow it to be too full. If the temp change caused the pressure to increase it will bleed off by itself. This could be a faulty valve assembly and what you are hearing is the fusable safety plug that has failed. Either way I would disconnect and move it somewhere safe and monitor it. If it was just over pressure from temperature change it will equalize itself and stop. If it dosent stop the valve is done. All the ice on the regulator is just from it flowing a lot of gas through it quickly.
What you’re seeing here is the principles of refrigeration in action. When you go from high pressure liquid to low pressure gas, the expansion of that gas produces a drastic drop in temperature. The moisture in the air is condensing and freezing on the expansion valve. You don’t have anything to worry about so long as you’re connection is tight.
The same thing happens if you squeeze a can of condensed air like dust off. The can gets cold because of the compressed air inside expanding rapidly causing a drop in temperature because of a drop in pressure.