Purging a propane tank...

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Ive heard you need to do this with new tanks. Do you really need to? How do I go about doing it?

[boatfixer]

Yes it's necessary to do so. It needs to be purged of the "regular air", which contains moisture and possibly any other impurities. You can take it to any propane dealer and have it done.

[jwhjr]

Yep, when you get it filled the first time just let them know it's a new tank and they'll purge it for you.

[Jeremy airjer W]

There are a couple ways of purging a propane tank.

Some places will put a small amount of propane into the new cylinder and then open the vent screw on the side of the valve. This isn't really the proper way to do it but it is done. The reason is that that vent screw has a straw on the other end that is calibrated to 80% of the tanks liquid capacity. It only vents 80% of the "air" in the tank. If the small amount of propane cames from the big tank than it will freeze any vapor to the tank when it changes from a liquid to a gas.

The other method uses a twenty pound tank and a set of valves, hoses and a regulator. A hose hose is connected to the new tank and the tank is filled with vapor and vented usually three time. This method will remove most if not all the air and vapor and is prefered over the other method.

If a tank is not purged it will take a long time to vent the air out of the appliance before it will actually ignite.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Sounds good. THanks.