Propane Tanks - Too Old to Recertify???

[mistermike]

I understand that propane tanks need to be recertified after they are 12 years old then every five years thereafter. I am trying to find out if there is a maximum number of years after which propane tanks cannot be recertified and thus no longer refilllable rendering them useless.

Do the same rules apply to aluminum tanks as do to steel tanks?

Thanks in advance.................

[perryg114]

It has been my experience that it is the type of fill valve and the general condition of the tank not the age. Most of the time the 20lb grill bottles are thrown away because it costs more the have a newer OPD valve installed than to buy a new tank.

Perry

[eubank]

There is no upper limit in the NFPA propane manual as long as the cylinder is in good shape and has the required OPD valve. However, since the US has 50 different sets of regulations governing propane, it's hard to know for sure what might obtain where you live.

Lynn

[Jammer]

There's no upper limit although the cylinder may ultimately fail inspection due to corrosion, especially for steel cylinders.

The certification period is 12 years, not 5, if the cylinder is pressure tested.

[idroba]

And in general, when someone who can re certify propane tanks looks at an Aluminum tank, they usually just say something like: "those are great tanks, wish all were that kind" and does the required stamping with no further questions. I have a pair that is over 30 years old, and of course had the fill valves replaced, but are otherwise unchanged and like new.

[RickDavis]

I have several aluminum tanks more than 40 years old in service

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by RickDavis

I have several aluminum tanks more than 40 years old in service

Mine are about 36 years old and I just had the OPD installed and the tanks recertified. FWIW I have the Worthington aluminum 30# tanks. I did clean them up prior to taking them in.

Aaron

[Gene]

I believe Canada requires recertification in 10 years, so if traveling there, make sure you get it done sooner or you may not find anyone willing to fill them.

Gene

[perryg114]

I like having my accurate float fill gage which will go away with the OPD valve. Too bad I don't have a bottom tap on the propane tank at home or I would fill them myself.

Perry

[BJE]

Originally Posted by perryg114

I like having my accurate float fill gage which will go away with the OPD valve. Too bad I don't have a bottom tap on the propane tank at home or I would fill them myself.

Perry

I am having new valves installed on my 37 year old aluminum tanks and having them re-certified. The valves that have been ordered have level gauges.

[girlscan2]

Wondering where to take the tanks to have the valves changed to the new style? Mine are very old (but look to be in good condition.) How do I know if they are aluminum or something else?

[Bill M.]

I had our Al tanks re-certified 5 years ago because we were heading to Canada. I took them to a large local gas distributer. Look for a place that sells welding gas and supplies gas to hospitals. They tested and re-certified them. Had a bad valve on one tank. I just had my grill tank filled yesterday at U-haul. They checked the tank. My tanki said 2000 on it. I was told 2012 was the last date it could be refilled. He said 12 years in TN. I will just pitch it when this gas runs out.

[Wazbro]

Originally Posted by girlscan2

Wondering where to take the tanks to have the valves changed to the new style? Mine are very old (but look to be in good condition.) How do I know if they are aluminum or something else?

If a magnet sticks to the tank it is steel, if not it is aluminum.

For the grill tank around here there are many places that exchange tanks, the companies that run the exchanges (not where you exchange them) can recertify the tanks so you're not really ripping them off.

[polarlyse]

I tried to have my 2 Alum. 40#ers filled this past summer while camping at the Air Force Academy. They were out of date and they wouldn't fill them until certified. Nearby in Colo. Springs I found a propane distributer that certified them ( no cost ) and filled them for me. Aluminum tanks is just a visual for OPD valve and they put a sticker on them. Steel tanks are inspected for corrosion and valve. No big deal and good for 5 years
( I think that's what he said ).