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!

Comments

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Lumpyyyyy t1_jd9nr1m wrote on March 22, 2023 at 8:45 PM

#2,308,673

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.

Mynewadventures t1_jd9pjss wrote on March 22, 2023 at 8:57 PM

#2,308,849

COOKOUT AT OP's HOUSE!!!!!!!

thread100 t1_jd9s7jo wrote on March 22, 2023 at 9:14 PM

#2,309,035

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?

UnfairAd7220 t1_jd9wth0 wrote on March 22, 2023 at 9:45 PM

#2,309,373

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...

zrad603 t1_jd9wv2v wrote on March 22, 2023 at 9:45 PM

#2,309,378

Where are you located?

KraljZ t1_jd9xy0p wrote on March 22, 2023 at 9:52 PM

#2,309,453

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

nthat1 OP t1_jd9yhf4 wrote on March 22, 2023 at 9:56 PM

#2,309,488

Replying to zrad603 (#2,309,378)

Central NH / Plymouth area

nthat1 OP t1_jd9yq7a wrote on March 22, 2023 at 9:58 PM

#2,309,502

Replying to thread100 (#2,309,035)

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.

nthat1 OP t1_jd9z3ac wrote on March 22, 2023 at 10:00 PM

#2,309,526

Replying to UnfairAd7220 (#2,309,373)

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.

jgren91 t1_jda0ldc wrote on March 22, 2023 at 10:10 PM

#2,309,628

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

[deleted] t1_jda1ncw wrote on March 22, 2023 at 10:18 PM

#2,309,693

[deleted]

nthat1 OP t1_jda1yj0 wrote on March 22, 2023 at 10:20 PM

#2,309,714

Replying to jgren91 (#2,309,628)

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.

nthat1 OP t1_jda2edj wrote on March 22, 2023 at 10:23 PM

#2,309,746

Replying to [deleted] (#2,309,693)

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.

[deleted] t1_jda2yv6 wrote on March 22, 2023 at 10:27 PM

#2,309,807

Replying to nthat1 (#2,309,746)

[deleted]

YouAreHardtoImagine t1_jda31g2 wrote on March 22, 2023 at 10:27 PM

#2,309,817

Anyone have some sap to boil down?

bluecollarNH t1_jda3xyp wrote on March 22, 2023 at 10:34 PM

#2,309,889

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.

eremitik t1_jda40zt wrote on March 22, 2023 at 10:34 PM

#2,309,894

Replying to UnfairAd7220 (#2,309,373)

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?

jgren91 t1_jda5x8f wrote on March 22, 2023 at 10:48 PM

#2,310,031

Replying to nthat1 (#2,309,714)

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

[deleted] t1_jda6mo8 wrote on March 22, 2023 at 10:53 PM

#2,310,079

Replying to [deleted] (#2,309,807)

[deleted]

slatts7 t1_jda8trp wrote on March 22, 2023 at 11:08 PM

#2,310,234

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

Selfless- t1_jda9uyz wrote on March 22, 2023 at 11:15 PM

#2,310,296

Replying to eremitik (#2,309,894)

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

rudyattitudedee t1_jdabuoy wrote on March 22, 2023 at 11:28 PM

#2,310,426

Start shooting wildly at it it’ll probably take care of itself. Live free or die!!

Jake01109 t1_jdadkrl wrote on March 22, 2023 at 11:41 PM

#2,310,570

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?

redditthrower888999 t1_jdadsik wrote on March 22, 2023 at 11:42 PM

#2,310,595

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

Cullen7777 t1_jdagiei wrote on March 23, 2023 at 12:02 AM

#2,310,790

Rent my lull and move it

[deleted] t1_jdah195 wrote on March 23, 2023 at 12:05 AM

#2,310,835

[removed]

Past_Copy5382 t1_jdaja3n wrote on March 23, 2023 at 12:21 AM

#2,310,980

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.

picklehaub t1_jdalmj9 wrote on March 23, 2023 at 12:38 AM

#2,311,128

Replying to nthat1 (#2,309,746)

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).

gman2391 t1_jdam2fm wrote on March 23, 2023 at 12:41 AM

#2,311,168

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

DarthBigT t1_jdasi3k wrote on March 23, 2023 at 1:28 AM

#2,311,704

Replying to rudyattitudedee (#2,310,426)

Videogame logic

ShamanicYogi t1_jdasmq1 wrote on March 23, 2023 at 1:29 AM

#2,311,720

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.

marshal1257 t1_jdaunkd wrote on March 23, 2023 at 1:44 AM

#2,311,896

Shoot it.

nthat1 OP t1_jdazsaw wrote on March 23, 2023 at 2:22 AM

#2,312,302

Replying to Past_Copy5382 (#2,310,980)

Hey, thanks! I just sent you a DM.

MGermanicus t1_jdb3k17 wrote on March 23, 2023 at 2:52 AM

#2,312,635

Replying to ShamanicYogi (#2,311,720)

I second this. Defrost your yard.

General_Piano_5568 t1_jdblltl wrote on March 23, 2023 at 5:48 AM

#2,314,122

Huff it bro 😎 Get highhhhhhhhhh

Exciting_Agent3901 t1_jdbuptc wrote on March 23, 2023 at 7:55 AM

#2,314,701

Replying to nthat1 (#2,309,746)

Call a local plumber. They will have a gas license.

finalyst19 t1_jdc4a5p wrote on March 23, 2023 at 10:17 AM

#2,315,216

Open the valve…

besafenh t1_jdc7uea wrote on March 23, 2023 at 11:00 AM

#2,315,475

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.

jdmiller321 t1_jdch45w wrote on March 23, 2023 at 12:32 PM

#2,316,347

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

HikeEveryMountain t1_jdchv5q wrote on March 23, 2023 at 12:39 PM

#2,316,426

Replying to picklehaub (#2,311,128)

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?