Campfires, propane tanks, fuel safety, and fire restrictions explained.
Propane is safe when handled correctly, but a small leak can turn into a serious hazard in minutes. The most common failure you’ll face is a loose or damaged connection between the tank and the regulator. The fix is simple: a soapy-water check before every trip. If you smell gas at any point, close the…
The best 20 lb propane tank for most grill, RV, and outdoor cooking needs is the Flame King YSN-201 Steel Propane Tank with Type 1 OPD Valve. It’s a no-frills, DOT-compliant cylinder that works with standard exchange programs and refill stations. But the right choice shifts if you need a built-in fuel gauge, a floor-buffer…
Propane leaks are serious. If you catch that rotten-egg odor, stop immediately, get yourself and others away from the source, and do not create any sparks or flames. Once you’re in a safe outdoor spot, follow the steps below to shut off the leak, ventilate the area, and decide when it’s safe to re-enter. These…
Refilling a 1 lb propane cylinder from a 20 lb tank is a straightforward process, but only if you have the right equipment and follow the correct procedure. Never attempt to refill a standard green disposable cylinder—those bottles are not built for repeated pressurization and can leak or burst. You need a DOT-approved refillable 1…
A full 20 lb propane tank (the standard grill size) contains roughly 432,000 BTUs of energy. At a typical grill burner output of 15,000 BTU/hr, that tank will run for about 20–22 hours at the high setting. For a 1 lb camping cylinder (21,600 BTUs), expect 1–1.5 hours on the same burner. Your actual runtime…
Store propane tanks upright, outdoors, and away from heat sources. Propane tank storage safety starts with one rule: never keep a full or empty tank inside your home, basement, or attached garage. For portable 1-lb cylinders like the Coleman 2 Pack Propane Fuel Tank – 16 oz, the same rule applies—small size doesn’t mean safe…
Propane tank sizes are labeled by the weight of propane they hold, not the total weight of the cylinder. A 20 lb tank, for example, holds 20 pounds of propane and weighs about 18 pounds empty. The most common sizes range from 1 lb disposable cylinders up to 100 lb tanks for large appliances, and…
For most car-camping trips, propane wins on reliability and energy density—it works in any weather and doesn’t depend on a charged battery. Electric gear is quieter, cleaner, and cheaper to run if you have access to shore power or a solar setup, but it can fail you when cold drains batteries faster than expected. Choose…
The built‑in dial on your propane tank is one of the least reliable pieces of equipment you own. Cold weather stiffens the float mechanism, and the dial often reads 20 % when you’re actually below 10 %. A dedicated propane tank gauge and monitor gives you a real‑time, repeatable reading so you can plan refills instead of…
Propane tanks should always ride upright, securely restrained, and well-ventilated. Many drivers mistakenly think laying a tank on its side is fine — but that risks liquid propane escaping through the pressure relief valve and creating a dangerous gas buildup inside the vehicle. Here’s how to move tanks safely every time. Quick answer Keep the…
