What to do with propane tanks when moving

From powering stoves and water heaters to fueling grills and fire pits, propane has a lot of uses and brings a lot of comfort and delight. It’s beneficial and enjoyable, so there is no surprise that nearly every home has a propane tank or two.

When the time comes to move house, however, propane tanks present a problem. They’re considered hazardous items and cannot be loaded on a moving truck with the rest of your items – the risk is too high.

Even though portable propane cylinders are quite safe (they’re constructed in compliance with the highest safety standards and equipped with reliable safety features, such as pressure relief valves), the conditions in a moving truck (jostling movement, intense heat, etc.) can cause the tanks to explode and wreak havoc. So, propane gas canisters are not allowed on moving trucks.

This leaves the question of what to do with propane tanks when moving. Should you get rid of them before the relocation? Can you move them yourself?

There are several options – which one will work best for you will depend on the specific circumstances in your case.

Read on to find out what choices you have and pick the right one for you.

Return the tank

Your first and most advantageous option when moving house and wondering what to do with your propane tanks is to return them to the propane dealer you got them from.

When it comes to rented propane tanks, that’s the only choice – the cylinders belong to the company you have signed a propane supply agreement with, so when you move, they will take their tanks back. Just be sure to inform the company of your move at least 30 days in advance (unless otherwise stated in the agreement) to avoid paying a termination fee.

Even if you own the tanks, returning them may still be your best option.

But can you sell back propane tanks? Not exactly, but many propane dealers (such as Blue Rhino, AmeriGas, and Ferrellgas, for example) have exchange programs – you can turn in an empty tank at one of their locations near your current home and buy a new one from them at a discount in your new city after the move. Most companies rebate up to $20 of the purchase price of a new tank, which brings the cost to about the same amount as a refill.

Blue Rhino and some other propane dealers even allow you to drop off your propane tank to any of their retailers and give you a rebate when you purchase a new tank from them at your new location even if your old cylinder was not theirs.

So, to answer the question “Can you return propane tanks for money?”- In most cases, you won’t get money back for returning a propane canister, but you will get a rebate for purchasing a new cylinder from the company you returned your old tank to.

Sell the tank

You can save yourself a lot of hassle by selling your old tank to someone in your current city or town – a neighbor, a friend, a colleague, etc. Even if you don’t know anyone who needs a propane canister, you can always use bulletin boards, social media, or resale sites like Craigslist to find people in your area looking for propane tanks. (See also: How to sell stuff online before moving)

If you can sell your old cylinder for a reasonable price before the move, that’s the best solution. You won’t need to deal with returning the tank to a dealer or worry about moving it to your new home – you will get rid of the tank and will get some money for buying a new cylinder in your new location.

Dispose of the tank

In case neither of the above options work for you and you don’t want to (or simply can’t) move your propane tank to your new home, your only choice is to dispose of the cylinder.

Keep in mind though that you can’t simply throw away your propane tank with the rest of your garbage – propane canisters pose a safety hazard because there may be some compressed gas left inside them and it could cause a fire or explosion at the landfill.

So, when you want to get rid of a propane cylinder, you need to check your city website (or call the municipality) for information on where and how to dispose of old tanks.

Another option is to contact a local propane supplier – they will be able to direct you to hazardous waste collection sites in the area.

Good to know: Can you recycle empty propane tanks?

Since there’s a possibility of propane left in the cylinders, regular recycling centers will not accept propane tanks. There are, however, specialized recycling centers with appropriate equipment and employees trained to handle hazardous materials. Besides, some propane companies will gladly take your old propane cylinders and recycle them at no cost to you.

Now that you know how to get rid of a propane tank before the move, you may be wondering “Can I move my propane tank instead?”

Take the tank with you

The most logical thing to do when moving to a new place is to take your propane tanks with you and use them at your new home. The problem, however, is that propane cylinders are risky to move.

Will movers move propane tanks?

As already explained above, propane tanks are considered hazardous items, so movers won’t be willing to relocate them for you. Transporting a tank of pressurized flammable material is extremely dangerous – the gas may explode and the entire shipment, as well as the moving truck itself, may be blown up. Even worse, the driver – or other people in the truck or on the road – may be hurt. An explosion can also cause damages to other vehicles or properties in the vicinity.

The risk is too big, so propane tanks and other pressurized gasses are not allowed on moving trucks. (See also: List of non-allowable items)

You can, however, move a small propane tank in your personal vehicle.

Is it safe to transport a propane tank in a car?

Transporting propane tanks in a car is not without risks, but you can safely move your cylinder in your vehicle as long as you take the necessary precautions and handle the tank with care.

So, how to transport propane tanks in a safe and efficient manner? Follow the safety tips below and be extremely careful:

• Always wear heavy-duty gloves when handling a propane tank;
• Make sure the tank valves are completely closed and the protective guards or caps are on;
• Never lift gas tanks by the guards (or caps) to avoid damage to the valves;
• Keep the tanks upright – Position the propane cylinders upright in the vehicle and use straps or ropes to secure them in place so they don’t slide around or fall over during transportation. For better safety, you can use specialized tank holders to secure your propane cylinders (milk crates will also do – they’re sturdy and high enough to provide adequate support to the propane tanks and ensure that they stay upright during transit);
• Ensure good ventilation when transporting propane tanks in an enclosed vehicle – keep a window near the cylinders partially open during the entire trip to your new home; 
• Do not transport more than four propane cylinders in an enclosed vehicle (sedan, SUV, etc.). Make sure the total combined weight of all the propane tanks in the car does not exceed 90 pounds. Keep in mind that it is not allowed to transport cylinders with capacity greater than 45 lbs in an enclosed vehicle;
• You can transport up to 1,000 pounds of propane in the back of an open pickup truck or trailer. The cylinders, however, must still be transported in an upright position (use ropes or straps to secure the tanks (both at the base and at the top) to prevent them from bouncing around or toppling over during transportation). Keep in mind that when moved in an open vehicle, the cylinders will be exposed to the elements – so, it’s not a good idea to transport propane tanks in an open pickup truck or trailer when moving in bad weather (rain, snow, extreme heat, etc.) or when moving across the country (as you will be on the road for a long time);
• Do not smoke while transporting propane tanks;
• Keep the temperature in the vehicle at a constant moderate level;
• Never leave filled propane tanks inside a hot vehicle;
• Unload the propane cylinders as soon as you arrive at your new home.

Can propane tanks be transported on their side?

While it may seem like a good idea to lay propane bottles on their side when transporting them in a car, pickup truck, or trailer (so there is no risk of them falling during the transit), doing so is extremely dangerous.

If transported on its side, a cylinder may roll and move the pressure relief valve out of position – and the safety valve is prone to failure when out of position. This may result in spilled liquid propane that can easily cause an explosion. The tank must be in an upright position for the pressure relief valve to work properly and prevent propane from spilling in the vehicle and causing a fiery disaster.

What’s more, in the unfortunate event of an accident, a tank lying on its side is more dangerous than a secured tank in an upright position. If a full tank explodes during transportation, it will take off like a rocket – when the rocket takes off straight up, it will cause considerably less damage (and will pose less danger to the people in the vehicle) than it would do if it went sideways.

So, do propane tanks need to be transported upright? Yes, it’s crucial to keep the cylinders in a secure, upright position during transit so they don’t fall, shift, or roll while you’re driving – and so they don’t become missiles in the event of an accident.

All things considered, the best way to transport propane tanks is to position them upright in the vehicle, secure them firmly in place, and take measures to avoid subjecting them to extreme temperatures and rough movement.

Keep in mind though that all of the above tips for moving propane tanks apply to small, grill-sized tanks – up to 40- 45 lbs. Larger tanks should always be handled by qualified professionals – they have the extensive training and specialized equipment required to safely empty, dispose of, or relocate large household propane tanks.

Related: How to move a grill to a new home

When asking yourself “What to do with my propane tank when moving?”, you need to consider all viable options – return the tank for money, sell it to someone in your current area, dispose of it before the move, or take it to your new home – and pick the one that works best for you. Just be really, really careful if you decide to move your propane tank(s) yourself. Good luck!