Propane canisters

yvrr · 09-03-2012, 07:16 PM

A couple of years ago, I was given a dozen propane canisters of the type we use in our barbeque. After using one of these canisters for the first time earlier this year, I unscrewed it from the barbeque control valve but immediately realized that it was leaking propane from the screw connection at the top of the canister. Once home, that canister was replaced with another one from this gift and it also leaked after using it the first time and unscrewing it from the barbeque.

I now think that the problem is due to the age of the canisters. I don’t know when they were originally purchased but I suspect that they are at least ten years old. The canisters incorporate a built-in valve which opens when it is screwed into the control valve. Due to age, this valve doesn't close up with the canister is unscrewed.

Just a heads up…

(The second instance this problem was near the beginning of a week-long trip and we had planned to barbeque several nights on the trip which crossed over the southern Sierras, a long way from any stores. By removing the control valve from the barbeque itself and screwing it back onto the canister, I was able to stop the canister from leaking. However, I didn’t want to store the canister inside the van since I wasn't convinced the solution wouldn't leak. My solution was to put the canister and control valve in a zip-lock bag (to keep dust out of the valve) and then put the “package” in our Trasharoo mounted on the back of the van. This let me continue to use it during the rest of our trip without worrying about propane in the van itself.)

larrie · 09-03-2012, 09:27 PM

I had that same problem with a brand canister. I now leave the bottle screwed I to the removable wand that connects to the stove until i burn through the propane. Have had no problem with this solution.

**daveb** · 09-03-2012, 10:31 PM

Same here. It's happened before with different brands that are new.

LenS · 09-04-2012, 04:10 PM

Have not had the problem. Once though, a camper who pulled up stakes, left me a leaking one to dispose for him after it finished venting. He, of course, did not want to put it in his car or wait for it to finish venting. A slow leaker, took about an hour before I could take it to the recycle center.

**BroncoHauler** · 09-04-2012, 04:27 PM

If we're talking about the green 160z cans, I think screw-on metal caps are available, and have been posted somewhere on the forum before.

Herb

yvrr · 09-04-2012, 05:29 PM

Yes, the 16 oz green canisters. But, I won't trust a screw-on cap for them with propane inside.

Several others have mentioned problems with "new" canisters. I never had a problem until using these "new to me" canisters. Maybe the solution is to purchase them from an outlet/store with a large turnover of canisters so that you are getting one that isn't too old. Kinda like buying new tires only to find out that they sat unsold at the tire dealer for 5 years and are nearly out-of-date when you buy them...

Ultrasport12 · 09-04-2012, 06:26 PM

I have had that problem a few times and I always thought it was something that cut the seal or dirt that got into the canister. I used to just throw them away when it happened. I use these now and have not had any problems even if the bottle is seeping. They have a gasket inside the top to make sure they are sealed. I do try to take the adapter (stove , lantern or what ever) on and off a few times just in case. I put these on every opened canister that way I know it has been opened as well.

http://www.amazon.com/Mac-Coupler-Propa ... B001AH1DCQ

...Jamie