How to properly store disposable propane bottles for emergency preparedness purposes?

Question

I live in an apartment, and cannot store them at home; however, I have a storage unit that I rent, and was thinking I could keep a small Coleman camp stove along with a few of those small propane / butane cylinders for emergency purposes. That way, if a hurricane or other emergency event were to occur, I could just pick up the stove and the fuel when I need it and avoid the retail stores. The storage unit is not climate controlled, and I live in the South where the temperatures can go up into the 90s. Any thoughts / ideas / suggestions / alternatives?

Answer 1

Why can't you keep them in your apartment?

They are pretty tough, designed for harsh outdoor conditions, banging around in cars and boats, etc.

Maybe put them in an old ice chest to even out the temperature changes in storage unit.

If your storage unit doesn't get above 90s, I wouldn't worry about it.



Personally I prefer gasoline stoves ("dual fuel" made by Coleman). For $13 at any auto parts store you can get a hand pump to retrieve gas from your car into a gas can. That way you always have fuel at home.



Congrats on thinking about preparedness.

http://www.thesurvivalpodcast.com/starting-the-journey-from-grasshopper-to-ant

Answer 2

My regional Department of Emergency Services advises residents to

store all essential emergency stores in an external storage unit away

from residence. This writer does that. The reason being after another

any event that levels most structures its going to be easier to access

your stuff from a shed as opposed to a larger structure. If you aren't

in a bomb-proof shelter reading this sentence imagine having to run

outside exactly as you are with no time to take anything else. There

are also 45 gallon containers you can purchase that are designed for

burial. Some people use them to hide ammunition and firearms from

President Obama, the United Nations, or weasel's.

Answer 3

Never heard of an apartment rule that you cannot store at home so Agreeably store them at home in the controlled atmosphere, Also your storage facility may have a prohibition against storeing flamables as well. read your contract. Generally temps inside a storage facility will be cool enough for those type of containers you could also put them in an ice chest to insulate against the temp changes.



@ RPC so what is the difference between a fire at home and a fire at the storage unit? none. Whatever the need for preppers is the same issue lantern oils explode and burn with the same verocity, and if a propane BBQ is not to be allowed what think you of a charcoal BBQ and all that harmful smoke? secondly weather issues one certianly can't use a charcoal stove inside. As for lighting solar is the way to go, no fire danger at all.

Answer 4

Buy a propane storage cabinet. Every workplace where I have been has a flammables locker, usually bright yellow painted steel locker, for fuels and thinners. Similarly, I found steel storage cabinets for camp fuels in many campgrounds at which I recently stayed, including Denali and Katmai. I store a few small canisters of propane-butane in the old apartment refrigerator that I converted to a food pantry.

Answer 5

You can store water in plastic containers as long as you leave some room for expansion and contraction due to temperature. In fact, plastic bottles are better, as they are flexible and can stand the shock of earthquakes, etc., better than glass. Use about 1 teaspoon of bleach for every 5 gallons of water, and you can store it indefinitely. Try to keep it in a cool, dark place for storage.

Answer 6

i live in SC (temp over 100 in summer and 90% humidity )....i have a few in various cabinets around my home.,....as well as more in shed outside.......and of course few in my camper....never heard of not being able to store them in ur home.....yes they could add to a fire...but since ALL are built with a pressure relief valve they will NOT work as "bombs" as {racing pace stick } suggested...



yes they will be fine in a storage locker.....

Answer 7

just raise them about 2-4" of the floor and stack the mas high as you'd like.

they're very rugged containers, only reason to raise off the floor is to reduce risk of rust. just get a wooden pallet.

Answer 8

NOT A GOOD IDEA TO STORE THEM IN YOUR HOME!

if you have a fire then you have a short fuse bomb waiting to go off!

Just buy one or two and keep in a storage unit ONLY if it's away from peoples homes!

Otherwise buy when the Emergency acquires !

Hardly enough gas in them or the larger cylinders to make it worthwhile having !

Better thing s a good solid charcoal Barbeque in which you could burn wood in an emergency.

And liquid fuel lamps such as hurricane lamps for emergency lighting.

Buy only small amounts of liquid fuel and keep in a metal jerry can1