How To Recertify Your Propane Grill Tank

We can tell you when your portable tank needs a safety check.

According to a recent survey by the Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association, over three in five American grillers use propane to power their barbecues. Propane gas remains an overwhelmingly popular grilling fuel because it provides an efficient flame that you can control with incredible precision.

Propane flames produce virtually no smoke and impart zero chemical taste. You can be confident that the sauce on your ribs, the spices on your salmon and the marinade in your pork loin will taste exactly how you want.

Finally, propane is an incredibly portable fuel. Compressed as a liquid, it can travel in trucks and be stored in home propane tanks and cylinders. Roach Energy supplies propane cylinder refill and exchange locations in:

• Shepherdstown, WV
• Falling Waters, WV
• Martinsburg, WV
• Inwood, WV

At these sites, you can affordably fill up your grill tank or exchange it for a full one.

What kind of propane tank does a grill use?

Typically, freestanding propane grills use a 20-pound cylinder, the standard size that you find at virtually all propane tank exchanges. A 20-pound tank can power a medium-sized grill for 18 to 20 hours. (Larger grills will use propane faster, often burning through a cylinder in 10 hours.)

What are propane cylinder recertification processes?

You need to have your propane cylinder recertified 12 years after its year of manufacture. You should take the portable tank to a certified propane dealer to do this. The dealer will inspect the cylinder for safety, then mark that it is recertified. Recertification is good for five years.

Propane refill stations will not fill a 12+-year-old cylinder that hasn’t been recertified.

How can you tell how old your propane cylinder is?

Determining the age of your propane cylinder is simple. Just check the collar of the cylinder, and you should see a series of stamped markings. Near the valve, there will be a date telling you the month and year your cylinder was made. (e.g., 10-22 means October 2022.)

When is it time to replace a propane cylinder?

Certified propane dealers use guidance from the U.S. Department of Transportation when recertifying propane cylinders. Their visual inspection involves checking for the following:

1. Exterior damage, including dents, bulges, cuts and cracks
2. Evidence of tampering, including welding
3. Rust and corrosion on the cylinder
4. Missing components
5. Leaking or defective valves and pressure relief devices

If they find these issues on a cylinder, they will not recertify it, and it’s time to retire the propane tank.

Safety tips for propane grill tanks

• Keep your propane cylinders upright at all times, whether transporting or storing them. Placing them on their sides can result in valve damage and leaking gas.
• Never transport more than four cylinders at one time in an enclosed vehicle.
• Don’t smoke while transporting cylinders.
• If you’re running multiple errands, refill your propane cylinder last. It’s unsafe to leave a filled grill tank in an enclosed vehicle.
• Store and use your propane cylinder outdoors, never in your home, garage, carport or sun porch. Keep them away from flame- or spark-producing products.

If you have any questions about your grill’s propane tank, feel free to reach out to the Roach Energy team.