How do I keep a camp stove propane tank from exploding when keep outside in the campsite on a hot day?

Question

How do I keep a camp stove propane tank from exploding when keep outside in the campsite on a hot day?

Answer 1

Always store propane cylinders upright in a ventilated space away from other chemicals and preferably in a cool or shaded area. All propane cylinders are equipped with a pressure relief valve, so the tank would not explode unless the relief valve was damaged or tampered with. There is vapour space inside the tank that allows the propane to "grow" as the temperature increases. The more fuel you burn from the cylinder, the larger the vapour space becomes and the lower the chance of the cylinder relief valve venting. One of the properties of propane you need to be aware of, is that propane expands 277 times when it converts from a liquid to a vapour. If a cylinder is standing vertically and it vents, you will have a bit of propane vapour in the air...but if the cylinder is on its side when it vents and liquid discharges instead of vapour...You've got a lot larger quantity of free gas! Not good!

Answer 2

Keep it in the shade, at least, if you can.

Answer 3

wet a sock and put the tank (assuming its small) inside the sock as long as its wet  it will stay cool

Answer 4

Propane tanks have pop-off valves; if they get too hot, they vent some gas. A propane tank is therefore unlikely to explode, but since the vented gas could build up, it must be ventilated.

The wet cloth suggestion is OK, but don't let the tank get rusty!