Propane freeze up??

Nordic

Member
We have a fireplace that is fed by a 100 lb bottle of propane. In freezing weather conditions the flow becomes restricted enough that the big flame goes out. The bottle is close to half full. Is it common that the regulator becomes restricted from cold weather or more likely moisture in the line itself? What is the best way to fix this problem? Thanks for your ideas!!
 
Not the propane regulator freezing up, you have too small of a tank for cold weather. Propane has to vaporize inside the tank to burn. It doesn't vaporize fast in cold weather. You need a larger tank.
 
The usual method is to take a large towel, soak it in very hot water, wring it out, and lay it on the regulator. Don't use a hair dryer or heat gun as there's a chance of the hot element igniting the propane if any leaks out of the regulator when it thaws. Long-term, talk to your propane supplier--they have chemicals they put in the bottle to absorb moisture and you may need to get more put in--usually it's put in when the bottle is initially filled.
 
As was already stated by Tom, the propane needs to boil to be used. I have seen 500 gallon tanks too cold to boil the propane when it was about 40 degrees below zero. Usually a 100 watt light under a blanket or rug on the tank is enough heat to make things work again. Nowadays it might be hard to find a light bulb to use.
 
(quoted from post at 14:43:22 02/08/16) We have a fireplace that is fed by a 100 lb bottle of propane. In freezing weather conditions the flow becomes restricted enough that the big flame goes out. The bottle is close to half full. Is it common that the regulator becomes restricted from cold weather or more likely moisture in the line itself? What is the best way to fix this problem? Thanks for your ideas!!

I experienced that same thing when feeding a kitchen stove with TWO one hundred pound bottles. A brand new regulator fixed it.
 
There is a formula to determine how much propane you can burn out of a given size tank. I believe it takes into account, tank size, outdoor temperature, and amount of liquid in tank. It might also have surface area of liquid in tank. Your propane supplier should be able to guide you thru this.
 
Propane is LP, liquid propane. It
requires heat energy to change any
liquid to a vapor, gas. It's called
heat of vaporization. Freon does the
same. When adding Freon to a AC, Freon
bottles ice up. I would put Freon
bottle in a bucket of warm water to
melt ice and boost freon pressure.
Welcome to physics 101.
 
(quoted from post at 14:43:22 02/08/16) We have a fireplace that is fed by a 100 lb bottle of propane. In freezing weather conditions the flow becomes restricted enough that the big flame goes out. The bottle is close to half full. Is it common that the regulator becomes restricted from cold weather or more likely moisture in the line itself? What is the best way to fix this problem? Thanks for your ideas!!
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Also, you don't say where you are located, the farther south you are, the more butane they mix with
lpgas. It is cheaper and it does not turn to vapor as quick as lp gas. Go to a local propane
supplier and talk to them. They should be far more able to advise you.
 

I've been told that at -64 F you can carry LP in an open bucket.
I don't want to be where it's -64 F so I'm not going to try it.

Dusty
 
Nordic,
I think I heard of a person in Florida who wanted to hide his LP tank, so he put it under ground.
Not sure how safe that would be especially with dirt in contact with tank, ventilation. What if you
had a pit to put yours in? Think the ground temp would help supply enough heat energy?

How long will a 100# tank last you?
 
You may have an equipment problem ?
For example I had a 100 lb tank feeding an indoor heater that has 3 ceramic panels. I don't remember the btu of this heater. Wish I did as it would help you more. I had the tank outside in Ohio winters and it worked just fine until I ran out of propane. So either your fireplace needs way more fuel than the tank can supply or the regulator and or it's settings are not right ?
 
(quoted from post at 09:36:59 02/09/16)
I've been told that at -64 F you can carry LP in an open bucket.
I don't want to be where it's -64 F so I'm not going to try it.

Dusty

Actually it's only just a tad below -42° where LP will not vaporize. While replacing service valves on LP fueled trucks in the winter I had several occasions where I actually had a puddle of liquid propane on the ground. Looks just like water, except as -25° F the water isn't liquid.
 
Thanks for the different thoughts on this. To my advantage I don't depend on this fireplace for heat...it has been my wife's wish for us to slow down and be romantic while enjoying the flames - a worthy cause I might add :) It works fine (the fireplace that is LOL) at 32 degrees but at 30 not so much and this is why I suspect just some moisture that freezes as vaporization is not a problem for the difference in a couple of degrees at that point. The chart that Greg posted is very helpful. As far as butane mix where I live I have no idea but could be interesting to know. I live north of the 51st parallel now but 50 years ago lived around the 61st parallel and there propane was different. Strikers would not light propane there, you had to use matches or open flame so obviously the mix was different at least that long ago.
 
(quoted from post at 14:37:02 02/09/16) Thanks for the different thoughts on this. To my advantage I don't depend on this fireplace for heat...it has been my wife's wish for us to slow down and be romantic while enjoying the flames - a worthy cause I might add :) It works fine (the fireplace that is LOL) at 32 degrees but at 30 not so much and this is why I suspect just some moisture that freezes as vaporization is not a problem for the difference in a couple of degrees at that point. The chart that Greg posted is very helpful. As far as butane mix where I live I have no idea but could be interesting to know. I live north of the 51st parallel now but 50 years ago lived around the 61st parallel and there propane was different. Strikers would not light propane there, you had to use matches or open flame so obviously the mix was different at least that long ago.

30 degrees is not cold enough to be causing the issues you describe. Neither is 20 degrees, or even 10 degrees. Speaking from experience with keeping propane fired stock tank heaters running in COLD Iowa winters, I will once again recommend replacing the regulator.
 

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