Do You Know How to Store Your Grill Tank?

Written on: October 16, 2023

4 Steps to Prep Your Tank for a Safe “Off” Season

With our mostly mild winter weather, you may never need to put away the grill or pack up the patio furniture. But if you travel or spend extended periods away, you should know how to disconnect your barbecue and safely store grill tanks. Same is true if you use portable propane cylinders with an RV or for camping. Once you’re home, you need to keep those tanks stashed properly until the next time you need them.

Storing your propane cylinders

Here’s how to safely store your portable propane cylinders.

1. Leave it outside. Cold temperatures won’t affect propane, and you should never keep propane tanks indoors. Propane tanks should always be kept in an open, well-ventilated, space, ideally out of the direct sun and at least 10 feet from your home.
2. Turn it off. If you bring your grill inside for the winter, turn off your propane tank and disconnect it. If you leave your grill outdoors, you can keep the tank connected, just make sure to turn the tank off.
3. Check for leaks. Do a careful inspection, looking closely at the valves, tank body, and the connector hose. Check your tank outside in bright, a well-ventilated space and far from any open flames or other ignition sources. You can also check for leaks by spraying the tank with a non-abrasive liquid soap. If bubbles appear around the valve or the hose, make sure they’re closed tight and spray again. If you continue to see bubbles, or see them anywhere on the body of the tank, it’s a sign that you have a leak and you should bring the tank to us for disposal.
4. Keep it stable. When storing your propane tank, make sure it’s in a secure, level, and upright position. Keeping your tank upright protects against damage that could lead to leaks.

Not sure you know how to remove your grill tank? It’s as easy as 1-2-3:

1. Make sure your grill is off, and the tank valve is closed (turn it all the way to the right, until it’s tight).
2. Unscrew the grill pressure regulator by turning it to the left.
3. Some grill models also have a restraining bolt. Just loosen it and remove the tank.

Safety First

While propane is very safe, you should make sure everyone in your home can identify the rotten-egg smell of propane, and knows what to do if they suspect a leak—especially if you use propane to operate equipment and appliances in your home.

Store or Recycle?

If your portable tanks are getting old, you may want to consider disposing of them at the end of the season, and replacing them in the spring instead of storing them for the winter. If you refill or exchange your tanks with us, we’ll make sure your tank is in good shape when you bring it in, and we will dispose of the old ones properly so you don’t have to.

Pico makes it easy, with 10 convenient locations across Texas for cylinder refill or exchange. Contact us today to find the location near you and for more information about all the services we offer.