In the wild, or while camping, you need a reliable source of heat to keep you warm, to wade wild animals and most importantly, to cook food for survival. Taking along with you camping propane is the best decision you’d make as it’s going to add to not only comfortability but safety in the wild.
So, how long does camping propane last? Well, if you’re going with a disposable 14 to 16-ounce propane tank, then you should be expecting a working time of 1.5 to 2 hours before it is empty.
It is very common to see campers with 16.4 oz. propane tanks. This popularity arises from the fact that it is very portable and easy to carry, making it the most common camping propane. With their lightweight, convenient and easy to carry feature, they still prove to be frustrating to most campers as it is extremely difficult to determine how much propane is left after using for a while.
However, if you’re planning on going with a standard 20 lb camping propane, be rest assured of a working time of about 18-20 hours before it finally gets empty.
An expert tip is that, whichever size of camping propane you’re going with, ensure to always carry an extra tank. You never know, it can come in handy.
Continue reading to have a vast array of awareness about propane when using it for camping.
How Can I Make My Propane Last Longer?
It is invaluable for campers to know how they can make their major source of heat, propane last longer.
Whether you embark on your camping trip in a tent, trailer, or motorhome, it is propane that would be your source of heat for cooking, warming up and for diverse functions.
When all you do is exhaust propane without knowing how to prolong its use time, then your experience when camping can be terrible.
So, if you’re looking for ways to make your propane last longer, carefully follow the steps below;
Step 1: Switch to solar power
When you’re in stark darkness, when camping, the next thing isn’t to light up your propane and make it your source of light.
You should leave this function to any solar-powered lighting equipment. This way, you’ll be drastically reducing the way your propane was meant to be exhausted.
Know that solar-powered generators have numerous advantages over the popular propane-fueled generators.
Solar-powered generators are known to be very quiet and sustainable when you camp in even the harshest of places.
And the best part of it is that they don’t require any extra fuel, unlike propane-fueled generators.
To cap, using solar power will help you preserve your propane and ensure that it lasts longer to help you throughout your stay in the camp.
Step 2: Use electric power to heat your water tank
Another major mistake that campers make that contributes to the timely exhaustion of propane is that they frequently use it to heat their water tank.
Imagine how many Ounces of propane would be lost from heating water with valuable propane that could be used for other highly relevant purposes.
So, how do you heat water without wasting propane when camping in the wild?
It’s quite simple. Using electricity power is the way out.
As I said earlier, there are other important accessories that you should take along with your propane and one of them is a Hybrid Heat Conversion Kit.
When you use a Hybrid Heat Conversion Kit to heat water, you have yourself valuable propane.
By the flip of a switch, you can get your water heated up instead of steaming useful propane in the air.
The Hybrid Heat Conversion kits are made for both 6 to 10-gallon RV water heaters.
More so, they’re built with an on/off switch as well as a flexible thermostat.
Step 3: Avoid preheating your stove/oven for long
If you have given into the habit of preheating your stove or oven for a long time, then you should drop the habit when camping with propane.
I know that old habits die hard, however, to save yourself the disappointment of an exhausted propane tank when needed is what you should try to avoid.
So, when camping, how do you save propane? If your cooking stove or oven uses propane, limit the way you allow what you’re cooking to preheat.
Well simply avoid preheating your oven or cooking stove for long.
Also, when you’re done cooking, ensure that you immediately turn off the propane tank, so that not a tiny ounce escapes.
Step 4: Cook over the campfire more often
Why not go the old fashioned way instead of wasting propane that could as well be used for other useful and germane purposes.
Try getting a cast iron skillet and folding steel grills when gathering your camping gears so that your cooking doesn’t take its toll on your propane.
You can also make quick meals in aluminum foil packets, all in the bid to save propane.
How Do You Store Propane Tanks For Camping?
The following are the best tips on how to store propane when camping;
- Don’t leave your tank inside or in a shed: Of course, you know that the gas contained in the propane is not good for your health and can be injurious to humans. So, ensure that you keep your propane cylinders outside, not inside your camping area and never indoors. Ensure that they are not in an enclosed area, especially your sleeping tent.
- Store the tank in a dry, well-ventilated outdoor area: Ensure that your propane cylinders are kept in a cool, dry and well ventilated outdoor place. Ensure that it isn’t exposed to a temperature above 120°. When the propane is exposed to heat over 120°, it’ll cause combustion or a leak.
- Place your tank away from flammable materials: More so, it is wise and for your safety to keep propane talks far away from sparks, flames or any flammable material. Smoking shouldn’t be done close to propane tanks nor should spark-producing materials. These could cause combustion and eventual explosion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Does Propane Tank Expire?
Yes, every propane tank has a shelf life and does expire.
However, the expiration period varies from state to state.
For example, in the US, a propane tank is efficient till 12 years from the date of manufacture. In Canada, however, it stays for a good span of 10 years.
If what you own is a rectified tank, you should be looking at a varied span of 5 to 7, or 12 years. The expiry date for a rectified tank differs according to the mode of rectification.
How Do You Tell If A Propane Tank Is Expired?
A simple and popular way to detect the lifespan of the propane tank is by checking the collar. A propane tank’s date of manufacture or requalification date can be found stamped onto its collar.
It is usually in the month-year format — for example, 28-21 for December 2021.
Final Verdict
Going on a camping trip without full knowledge of how your propane works and how to effectively manage it is alarming.
In this article, there are various tips on how to make your propane last longer plus ways you can safely store your tank.
I hope that after reading this article, you’d know how to effectively manage your propane cylinder and how to prolong its use.