Propane Tank Exchange Warning
 

I came across this on an classic Winnebago forum and thought it was worth passing on. I don't know about the chemisty involved but thought it was a better safe than sorry thing!

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RVers use a great deal of propane and so do drug dealers. The problem is drug dealers who manufacture methamphetamine, also known as "crank" the popular illegal drug that rots your teeth, are using exchangeable propane bottles to store anhydrous ammonia during the manufacturing process. When they return the bottles to the exchange rack at the store they are endangering future users because they have compromised the safety of the brass valves. A blue-green color on the brass service valve is evidence that it may have been in contact with anhydrous ammonia. Here is what the safety bulletin says, "The brass valve in a propane cylinder will be damaged if it comes in contact with anhydrous ammonia. This deterioration will lead to cracking of the valve body or its components and can ultimately result in a violent, unexpected expulsion of the valve from the cylinder, causing personal injury or death." Sounds serious to me and you can see photos and read more about it at the National Propane Gas Association website here: Safety Bulletin The best advise is to refill your own propane tanks and not use an exchange bottle. However if you do use exchange bottles or pick one up at a yard sale be sure the brass valve is not a blue-green color.

my camper has 2 huge tanks that no exchange places carry so i have to refill mine.which is fine with me as i really for some odd reason don't trust the exchange thing.and i guess for good reason.the only thing good about exchanging is if you have an old tank that is about to expire you trade it in and get a new tank then your good to go til that ones about expired.

When the price of fuel went up a few years ago, propane exchange refillers started putting about 20% less fuel in each bottle rather than raising prices.

They say I need a new kind of valve now for some reason.

That tank must be pretty old. The new valve requirements (prevent overfill?) went into effect years ago.

It was bought new about 10 years ago.

And didn't increase it again with falling prices.

And that doesn't make the tank any safer- the vapor pressure is still the same.

Are you talking about the new valve or underfilling the tank?

Underfilling the tank.

A leaky valve is pretty dangerous too, and I've gotten them with exchange tanks. Also very bad but fresh paint jobs, clearly an attempt to put lipstick on a pig and cover the fact that their tanks are abused.

I am done with propane exchange places. They are not a good bargain. To buy a tank from them costs as much as buying an *actually new* tank elsewhere and having it filled, but you get an old tank and less propane for your money. Of course, they are also happy to take your new tank in trade for one of their old crappy ones.

I use about two propane tanks a month year around. I think the guy at the local hardware store thinks i'm making drugs, but the face is that I grill out everyday. I love me some pork ribs. :D:D:D:eek:

man you sound about like me.we grill out 3-4 times a week.even in the winter at -10 degrees.

Are you a fellow pork rib lover? :D

well living in iowa land of pork,beef,and corn on the cob,i pretty much love anything pork or beef.