Disposing of Gas Cylinders?

How do folks dispose of empty Gas Cylinders like this:

Propane

Outdoors, away from any flame, remove the fill valve in the centre of the threaded stem. Most will unscrew like a car tire valve core. This will vent any pressure inside the bottle. If it does not unscrew, depress the valve stem to vent all remaining pressure, then drill the valve out while running water around the twist drill. Leave outside to vent for a day or two. Fill with water, place in jaws of workmate, Drill a 3/8 dia hole midway up the bottle. Using a hacksaw blade in a handheld jigsaw, or a portable bandsaw, cut the bottle in two midway up the bottle. You now have two harmless pieces of steel scrap that can not be pressurized or cause explosion or fire. You can divide the pieces further of course if you want. I usually leave the pieces outdoors for a few more days to allow any odorant from the gas or entrained gas in or on the metal to dissipate.

Note that you need to be aware of all local laws about such practices, and not do it at all if it is prohibited where you are.

Edited By Jeff Dayman on 07/05/2021 14:36:11

Your Screwfix link was fortuitous as one of the questions on the page is about a key, to remove the valve.

It is shown here:

https://www.stuartplumbing.co.uk/rothenberger-recycling-gas-bottle-cartridge-vent-valve-key/

Or what I use, for 1.52 UK pounds at Amazoon:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Silverline-380153-Valve-Repair-Four-Way/dp/B002QS0HD4/ref=sr_1_4?_encoding=UTF8&c=ts&dchild=1&keywords=Tyre+Valve+Tools&qid=1620399906&s=automotive&sr=1-4&ts_id=5136357031

I would be surprised if several of your car-owning friends or relatives don't already have one though.

Depending on where you live, you may just be able to take them to the local recycling center.

https://www.recyclenow.com/what-to-do-with/gas-bottles-1

Is that gas mixture - see Screwfix website - hotter than the ordinary Calor propane?

What size are we talking about ? Noel

Click on the link. They’re about a foot tall.

More on this link: Disposing of gas bottles

I believe propane is propane, so no. The torch that the gas bottle fits uses air at atmospheric pressure. If you want more hotness using propane as the fuel gas, I think you can use compressed air (like the Flamefast brazing hearths) or oxy-propane.

The same style of gas canister is available in a yellow colour and contains MAPP gas (also called MAP, MAP-X or MAP plus). Burning in air, this does produce a hotter flame.

Jeff D is spot on.

Tony

DC31K:

Thank you.

I gather from Wiki that the MAPP story is a bit complicated.

Simples - The local tip - just hand it to an operative.

Regards,

IanT

Why does anyone not just use up all the gas for the purpose for which it is intended? You got money to burn?

.

Not in Cheshire East !!

[quote]

What you cannot recycle at the household waste and recycling centre

We cannot accept:

• ...
• gas cylinders - they are the property of the gas company and you should return gas cylinders to the supplier
• ...

[/quote]

MichaelG.

.

Ref. __ https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/waste_and_recycling/using-household-waste-recycling-centres/using-household-waste-recycling-centres.aspx

Edit: Although I note that the item in Vic’s question is claimed to be disposable 

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 07/05/2021 22:37:45

Re using up all the gas - I always use these small cylinders until the torch won't run anymore, but there is always a wisp or two of gas in them afterward. Very little, but some. Can't see a way around it except to maybe refill the cylinder. I am aware this is technically easy to do - in fact I have been present when it was done - but locally it is against the law to do it. Not sure why. There may be a concern by authorities that the small cylinders could be over pressurized if fed from the wrong kind if gas supply, maybe? or maybe big merchants lobbied the regs so they can keep selling bags of these small tanks to people......

Re giving these small cylinders to the local waste/ dump staff - local to me, the waste station / dump will not accept gas cylinders of any kind. No problem with scrap steel though, as mentioned in my first post above.

This dates back to 2008 ... but I don’t know if the idea was ever adopted in the U.K.

**LINK**

https://outdoorindustry.org/press-release/coleman-provides-solution-for-disposal-of-single-use-propane-cylinders/

MichaelG.

I don't know what other local authorities do but my local Tip does accept disposable gas cylinders - I just hand them to the Man. Did it two weeks ago.

Re-fillable cylinders are a different thing - I believe they are owned by the 'gas' company - but since they can be exchanged for refills - I'd just stick any unwanted spare bottles on Gumtree.

Regards,

IanT

On Vic’s specific question ... This might help: **LINK**

https://www.stuartplumbing.co.uk/rothenberger-recycling-gas-bottle-cartridge-vent-valve-key/

They even offer:

• Gas Cartridge Disposal Information Available On Request

MichaelG.

I've been making these candlesticks for clients out of their horses old shoes .. they love them ! The cups are bits of exhaust pipe capped off with a disc of steel ,cheapskate me .. I thought of using core plugs, until i saw the price of them..

My daughters old pony died last month , and she asked me to make her one from his old shoes , but for only one candle.. The bottom of a disposable mig gas bottle came in handy !

( They won't take them at the recycle tip despite there being a recycle symbol on the cylinder ..)