Understand The 8 Basic Types Of Propane Tanks
Propane tanks are used in a variety home applications such as heating stoves, providing gas for grills, and even powering generators. Generally made from metal, these tanks contain the gas known as propane - a compressed liquid alkaline. If you're looking to pick up a propane tank, you should know about the 8 most basic types on the market and their characteristics:
1. Acme Valve
External threads are the defining characteristic of these tanks. The threads are referred to as Acme threads and the valve contains more bulk than other varieties. The benefit is that it can be much easier to connect these tanks to the hose of a grill without a pesky wrench. Leakage is prevented due to its built-in fail-safes as well.
2. OPD Valve
An Overfill Prevention Device (OPD) valve has hand wheels with three lobs. It is designed to hold up to 39 pounds of propane gas. With a monitor that is built in, you can be sure to avoid overfilling these tanks with liquid gas.
3. Single Use
Usually much smaller than traditional propane tanks, these tanks have enough propane for one usage which usually has to do with camping or outdoor adventures. You can throw these away after using them and they are fairly light, making for easy transport.
4. 420-lb. Cylinders
These large tanks contain up to 100 gallons or about 420 pounds of propane. They are not the best for mild home use but rather come in handy when large vehicles or machinery need a high capacity of gaseous energy such as forklifts.
5. 100-lb. Cylinders
As the name suggests, 100 pounds is the amount of gas that these can hold. They are small enough to be used for home applications like cooking and big enough to last without needing constant replacements.
6. 20-lb. Cylinders
When travelling in an RV or camping for more than a few days, you might consider a tank that holds 20 pounds. While they require OPD valves, their medium size offers a unique combination of gas availability and portability.
7. POL Valve
While no longer as common as they used to be, these tanks can prevent leakage better than many options on the market, making them safe and better for saving money. They are comparable to OPD valve tanks.
8. Refillable Propane Tanks
These popular tanks are used in numerous home systems such as heaters and stoves. With metal sheets protecting you from leaks, these can take a lot of handling while holding propane.
When looking for propane, there are more options than ever before. Review the quick list above for an idea of the characteristics of common propane tanks. Equipped with this basic understanding, you can make the best choice for your family, home, or business.
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