Urgently need 100 gal propane tank emptied. Any ideas?

Submitted by nthat1 t3_11yvkq5 in newhampshire

Hi All,

I'm in a bit of a predicament and am looking for recommendations.

I have a 100 gal Irving Oil owned propane tank that is ~90% full on my property. It's blocking the way for some construction work that I need done on my house urgently.

I called Irving to ask about getting it hauled away but they said they wouldn't do it until it's under 30% full and that it would be my responsibility to burn the propane off down to that level.

Problem is, it only feeds a decorative fireplace that is completely broken and not worth fixing. I'm at a loss of what to do. I called Dead River and they said they won't touch it since they don't own the tank. I'm feeling pretty screwed tbh.

Does anyone have any ideas or know of any companies that could help out? Thanks.

Update: A few folks from Irving saw this post, reached out and were quickly able to help get the tank hauled away without needing to drain/burn anything off. So thank you to them!

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Comments

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KraljZ t1_jd9xy0p wrote

My gas generator will burn through a thousand liters in 3 days. This doesn’t help you at all

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Past_Copy5382 t1_jdaja3n wrote

Hi! I work for Irving and saw your post. I would have sent a direct chat but it seems that's not an option. Please message me directly and I can try and help you.

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nthat1 OP t1_jdazsaw wrote

Hey, thanks! I just sent you a DM.

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OPINION_IS_UNPOPLAR t1_jdfkxmf wrote

If they work for Rymes tell them to fuck off. Biggest bunch of asshole scammers in this state.

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jgren91 t1_jda0ldc wrote

They won't buy back the propane? Suburban just took my tank away today and it was 60% of a 60 gal tank. They're buying back the propane

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nthat1 OP t1_jda1yj0 wrote

I think they would, but they're saying it's too heavy for them to put it on the truck right now and that I'd have to work on emptying it myself.

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jgren91 t1_jda5x8f wrote

Oh okay. I would have thought they'd come with a truck and pump it out.

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[deleted] t1_jda1ncw wrote

[deleted]

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nthat1 OP t1_jda2edj wrote

It's a 100 gallons, not 100 lbs. Not sure how much it weighs. Irving said it's probably well over 1000 lbs with all the propane in it and therefore can't take it away right now.

How do I find a licensed gas fitter? When I search, the only places popping up are the big propane companies like Irving and Dead River. So far they've been completely useless.

It's insane that getting a new fireplace to burn this damn thing off is looking like my only option when my whole goal is to get rid of it.

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picklehaub t1_jdalmj9 wrote

Irving’s full of something for sure.

90% in your tank is 108 gallons or 453 pounds of LP, plus a tare weight of 290 pounds. For a total of less than 750 pounds.

You can safely shut off and disconnect the tank, roll it where ever you want and stand it back up (usually takes two people when full).

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HikeEveryMountain t1_jdchv5q wrote

I have no stake in this, just a curious homeowner interested in safety. Two comments up, somebody said to never tip the tank on its side. Your comment and my own experience with propane tanks say that's not a concern. Are there certain tanks you can roll and ones you can't?

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picklehaub t1_jdcylbn wrote

You can safely tip it over, but don’t leave it on its side long term.

You want the relief valve to be in the vapor space in case of an over pressure.

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Fun_Butterscotch_279 t1_jdwox3j wrote

DO NOT “ROLL” the tank. Under no circumstances should it be put on its side. Please call a professional.

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Lumpyyyyy t1_jd9nr1m wrote

Buy a 50k btu propane heater and run it at full blast? I’d guess it would take ~100 hours but you get some heat out of it.

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slatts7 t1_jda8trp wrote

Call a nearby church. They will normally take it. We had the same predicament this summer and ended up having our HVAC guy take the fuel

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thread100 t1_jd9s7jo wrote

I’m not recommending but…

At suburban propane in Milford, I’ve seen them empty dozens of giant tanks by attaching a 3’ vertical pipe and lighting on fire. Maybe a scaled down version?

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nthat1 OP t1_jd9yq7a wrote

Ya I'm definitely not opposed to burning it off that way. In fact, sounds like just what I need.

But I certainly don't think that's something I'd feel comfortable rigging up myself.

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bluecollarNH t1_jda3xyp wrote

Turn the tank off. Disconnect thin copper pipe that is screwed into it. Grab a buddy and roll it out of the way. Pro tip: propane connections are righty loosy, opposite from normal threading.

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Jake01109 t1_jdadkrl wrote

Flaring Off Propane Tank

I don’t recommendation to follow this yourself if you’re not comfortable but gives you an idea can be done.

As someone else mentioned, you can call your local fire department to see if they could flare it off?

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zrad603 t1_jd9wv2v wrote

Where are you located?

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gman2391 t1_jdam2fm wrote

I had 2 propane tanks that Irving owned and accidently filled. (It was winter and the propane was only used for pool heat that wasn't actually functional at the time) I wasn't about to pay that bill so their only solution was to remove both tanks. They took them both full and I believe they were 100gal each

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ShamanicYogi t1_jdasmq1 wrote

If you’re not comfortable rigging up your own flare, pick up one of those weed burning torches from Harbor Freight for $25 and just let it run full blast for a couple hours. It’ll burn off enough to move.

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besafenh t1_jdc7uea wrote

When Irving chose to skip 2 deliveries and then charge $340 for a service call and emergency delivery fee, I yeeted their empty tank and called a local provider. Irving came with a smallish crane flatbed truck, and lifted the empty tank while parked on the street. “I’m nearly at maximum extension and that’s why tanks are delivered purged with 10% fuel.” The crane would lift >1000 pounds at the truck, but not at full extension and merely 15 degrees of angle.

The local provider came with a smaller service truck, the same size tank and no means of getting over the snow. The tank @40% was tipped and slid into a tractor bucket, strapped and driven to the connection site.

These can be moved, it’s not rocket surgery.

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UnfairAd7220 t1_jd9wth0 wrote

Fill 20 pound propane tanks? Go to the local dump, pick up half a dozen timed out empty tanks, lay your hundo on its side, on a table, preferably, and get one of those fill fittings for the 20 pounders.

Saying all that, I have NO Idea if that could work. The propane tank that fills those 20 pounders has a pump that physically moves the propane. I suspect that gravity could work...

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eremitik t1_jda40zt wrote

That will not work. Once the pressure builds enough in the 20 pounder it won’t flow. Plus, liquid propane is -40 degrees. Perhaps call your local fire department to se if they could do a controlled burn?

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Selfless- t1_jda9uyz wrote

You just open the vent screw until it spits liquid. Need some heavy gloves to avoid frostbite.

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nthat1 OP t1_jd9z3ac wrote

That's sounding like the most realistic option as long as I could get someone professional/who knows what they're doing to help rig something up.

That's kind of what I was hoping to find: if anyone knows of any certified gas workers that would be willing to work with my situation. Because the big companies are no help.

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redditthrower888999 t1_jdadsik wrote

How fast you need it gone, real quick? Rent multiple propane heaters from the local HD or hardware center.

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Cullen7777 t1_jdagiei wrote

Rent my lull and move it

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jdmiller321 t1_jdch45w wrote

Typically most companies will drain tanks down to facilitate moving them. I would explain the situation to them again

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TheMobyDicks t1_jdclhjn wrote

Rent a bobcat and push it out of the way.

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Extra_Bed3825 t1_jdcqbq1 wrote

Hi! I also work at Irving, I can get this taken care of.

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Extra_Bed3825 t1_jdcqnmq wrote

Call 888-310-1924 and ask for service. We can get this taken care of. Please do not burn it off

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Puzzleheaded-Row-511 t1_jddq07j wrote

It's 100 gallon tank, not that heavy. Disconnect and use a two wheeler.

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finalyst19 t1_jdc4a5p wrote

Open the valve…

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Hoops867 t1_jddfh11 wrote

This actually isn't a terrible idea apparently. Propane isn't a greenhouse gas and breaks down from oxidation and sunlight.

Controlled burning is technically safer, but if you're outside and there's a breeze, it's probably fine.

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