Emptying old propane tank

[Bill]

The land we bought for our retirement home in Montana included an unregistered shallow agricultural well (never filed for water rights), 2 stock tanks and a shed. They used a propane tank to heat 2 small flames inside smaller tanks set on edge to keep the water from freezing when wintering cattle. Last used I guess 25 plus years ago?

There’s a 100# propane tank (I think) in the shed. I’ve never checked if it had anything in it. The propane company we buy from for our house said if I empty it and bring it to their facility, they’ll dispose of it for free.

How do I empty the tank if not already empty? Crack the valve and let the gas escape with no sources of ignition nearby (park my truck 50 yards away away when doing it?

[bobc]

Come on man. Make it exciting and just cut into it with a torch.

[steveambriz]

Choot it

[Aggiebush]

Make a nice cooker or small smoker, put it on FB and sell it. I’ve always removed a valve and fill with water if using one for that.

[mavrick]

Open the valve. It will empty itself.

[Monark]

Let it rip. I lost more than that by accident on a leak on my home propane tank.

[Walker]

Probably a check valve in the nozzle

[Bill]

Setting it 200 yards below our house and wacking it with my 7 Mag does sound like fun. With my luck……

[SmTx]

We used to take full 1lb bottles to the sandbar and shoot em with rifles. They just make a puff of “smoke” so then we lit some tea candles and it just blew them out.

[bboswell]

The gas is fine to use but if you just want rid of it screw on a hose to the tank and crack the valve. If it’s a newer tank and you open too much it will shut down due to excess flow but just let it slowly vent out.

I had to do this recently to a 20# that had a faulty valve.

[Bill]

There’s a copper line connected to the tank. Since I have no plans to ever use the cattle water tanks or heat them in the winter, I’ll cut the line and use that as a hose away from the valve.

Thanks for all the advice.

[Bill]

I opened the valve and it’s empty. Thanks for help.

I wouldn’t be TBH without pictures. Too bad I don’t have (or want) cattle or horses to use it.

[BrandonA]

I opened the valve and it’s empty. Thanks for help.

I wouldn’t be TBH without pictures. Too bad I don’t have (or want) cattle or horses to use it.

Pretty cool setup. I know you mentioned no cows or horses but what about using that system for watering wildlife?

[Texas Grown]

Pretty cool setup. I know you mentioned no cows or horses but what about using that system for watering wildlife?

My thoughts also. Speedgoats and muleys?

[BrianL]

We used to take full 1lb bottles to the sandbar and shoot em with rifles. They just make a puff of “smoke” so then we lit some tea candles and it just blew them out.

Sparklers or flares