Propane Tank Warning

[GeneF]

I received this from a friend.

"  Please check out the web site below, it may save you a lot of grief

           A message from the Law Enforcement Network

           For those of you who like to grill it up during the summer, here's a safety announcement you should be aware of.  Please put this information out to ALL personnel.  For those of you who exchange your propane tanks, this is something you definitely need to be aware of, especially in light of the recent news of 'Meth-labs' in our area.  Meth cooks are getting propane tanks from exchanges at Wal-Mart, Kroger, etc. and emptying them of the propane.  Then, they are filling them with anhydrous ammonia (which they now have a recipe for by the way).
           After they are finished with them, they return them to the store.  They are then refilled with propane and sent back for you and me to buy.  Anhydrous ammonia is very corrosive and weakens the structure of the tank.  It can be very dangerous when mixed with propane and hooked up to our grills, etc.  You should inspect the propane tank for any blue or greenish residue around the valve areas.
           If it is present, refuse to purchase that tank.

           Check out the following website for more details.  They also have pictures."



http://www.npga.org:80/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=529

[mike4947]

http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/methtank.asp

[Old Goat]

No problems here...I get my tanks filled at the local propane dealer.. I will definitely pass the warning along....Thanks....

[GeneF]

http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/methtank.asp

Thanks for the other link and the added info.  I don't generally pass some items along because it may just be a hoax.  The friend I got the info from is generally a very reliable source and watches out for the wrong info stuff.  Guess he missed this one.

Just got another email from him and he had seen the other site but since there was some doubt, he thought the "heads up" was worth it.

[archer]

I received this from a friend.

"  Please check out the web site below, it may save you a lot of grief

           A message from the Law Enforcement Network

           For those of you who like to grill it up during the summer, here's a safety announcement you should be aware of.  Please put this information out to ALL personnel.  For those of you who exchange your propane tanks, this is something you definitely need to be aware of, especially in light of the recent news of 'Meth-labs' in our area.  Meth cooks are getting propane tanks from exchanges at Wal-Mart, Kroger, etc. and emptying them of the propane.  Then, they are filling them with anhydrous ammonia (which they now have a recipe for by the way).
           After they are finished with them, they return them to the store.  They are then refilled with propane and sent back for you and me to buy.  Anhydrous ammonia is very corrosive and weakens the structure of the tank.  It can be very dangerous when mixed with propane and hooked up to our grills, etc.  You should inspect the propane tank for any blue or greenish residue around the valve areas.
           If it is present, refuse to purchase that tank.

           Check out the following website for more details.  They also have pictures."



http://www.npga.org:80/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=529

Thanks for the info, very scary situation!!!

[Hargus]

Thanks for the heads up Gene.

We know people that exchange tanks and pass this on.

Gene, No Rally this year? You and Terry will be sorely missed.

Mike

[butterflyfish]

Thanks for sharing this.  Pretty scary stuff.

This is not related to propane exchange, but I went to one of the local Wal-Marts a few weeks ago to get some of the small propane tanks for the grill.  I went to the camping section and there was a sign that said please ask for assistance with proane.  So I asked the man and he had them all behind the counter.  Turns out they caught someone trying to stick something in the tank and light it on fire!  So I was wondering if it was an isolated local incident or if this is now a Wal-Mart policy?

[flyfisherman]

Yeah ... I see our local Wally-Mart has the 16oz propane cylinders under lock and key, too!

[GeneF]

Yeah ... I see our local Wally-Mart has the 16oz propane cylinders under lock and key, too!

Just bought two tanks today at WallyWorld.  Found them out in the open on the shelves in two different places.  Guess it is not applying to all stores or if a policy has been set, this store hasn't got it yet.

[GeneF]

Thanks for the heads up Gene.

We know people that exchange tanks and pass this on.

Gene, No Rally this year? You and Terry will be sorely missed.

Mike

Thanks Mike.  We will miss all of you.

We are camping the week before and have a lot going on right now with trying to get some stuff done on the house and getting DD down to Fl.

Perhaps next year.

[curryp]

Another place to check out the truth to the dangerous exchange of propane tanks.

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/p/propane-tanks.htm

As a health teacher I was aware that the valve will turn a blueish color when exposed to ammonia. Meth is scary stuff!

[Dee4j]

I refill mine instead of exchanging