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Off Topics > Can a bbq flame leading back to the propane tank lead to an explosion?
 
 
Shoego Heli
Veteran
Location: San Diego, CA, USA

I was going to use my propane barbeque yesterday, it had been about 2 years since I used this. I wrenched the fitting to the propane tank - nice and snug. I turned on the gas and lit the burners (the electric starter didn't work) and the barbeque worked fine for the 1st few seconds.

Then, all of a sudden the flame went down to the gas tank below! Apparently there was some gas leak from the gas connection that traveled up to the burners and now the flame was at the connector. All I could think of now is the John Wayne movie "Hellfighters" and how am I going to get this fire out. For a second I stood in disbelief that this happened and that I now faced a possible explosion in my backyard.

I quickly got the garden hose and turned a full blast of water stream at the propane tank - like in the movie. This ownly moved the flame away from me, the flame was just as strong. And whenever I took the water off the flame the flame grew larger. I thought for sure that this tank would blow up now. I then yelled out for my son to take over the hose duties while I get a shovel to throw dirt onto the flame. It pissed me off that he didn't want to come out and help, but now I can see that he just didn't want any part of this mess that his dad got into Anyways, after more yelling he came out and it took about 3 shovels full of dirt to squelch the flame down. Dang, what a way to get dinner started.

Well, my question is, could the flame have gotten into the tank and cause an explosion or would it have just been a source for an eternal flame?????


PS I ditched the propane setup and went back to the weber bbq with charcoal briquets. Everyone enjoyed the chicken dinner and my wife didn't even know of the other flame.

Having my heli: Cool, Having a working heli: Awesome, Having a day to fly: PRICELESS!
05-09-2008 05:19 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
Sig Dawg
Senior Heliman
Location: Weyburn, Sask., Canada

Never say never, but it would be highly unlikely for the tank to explode due to the flame entering the tank. There is no oxygen in the tank so no boom. It would be a great source for an external flame though. Even with the heat generated from the flame the pressure relief valve should let any excess pressure out, so the tank shouldn't explode.

It's always a good idea to have a fire extinguisher handy.

Jason - diesel power rocks (VW TDI)
05-09-2008 05:29 PM
 
 
Stet
Elite Veteran
Location: Long Beach CA

no because there is no oxidizer in the tube (air/oxygen) just propane

keepin' it real
05-09-2008 05:29 PM
 
 
Mutt
Veteran
Location: t ca usa

As for the flame getting to the tank dont know. One question though. It is in the instructions and commen sense to always check for gas leaks before firing up the bbq why one earth didnt you do that? It is a very simple procedure to do just take some water and dish soap mix well and spray it on the connections turn on the gas see bubbles you got a leak.
05-09-2008 05:30 PM
 
 
Grant H
Key Veteran
Location: Maryland

I dont know if it would have exploded or not, but personally I would have told my son to run and take cover. Wouldnt want him anywhere near a possible explosion.

My father was installing or working on our gas oven back home when us kids were really young. He busted a line behind the stove. Without thinking, he wisked mom and us 3 kids out of the house and away to saftey and then ran back and turned the gas off.......
05-09-2008 05:32 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
helibandit
Senior Heliman
Location: Jacksonville, North Carolina - United States

Quote 
always check for gas leaks before firing up the bbq why one earth didnt you do that?

who DOES do it besides you.. the only time id look for a leake is if i smelled gas.. even when i was on the fire department and we had BBQ's NOone ever checked for leaks... just fire it up!

The only time you can have too much fuel is when your on fire
05-09-2008 05:34 PM
 
 
Shoego Heli
Veteran
Location: San Diego, CA, USA

I use to use this propane bbq quite a bit and NEVER had a leak problem, even when hand tightening the connection. With the connector tightened with my crescent wrench I didn't forsee a possible gas leak - obviously that was incorrect.

Needless to say, I'll use the leak test method from now on.

I was at a quandry about calling my son out and putting him in possible danger. It was (at the time) let the propane tank possibly explode if I take the water source off the flame while I get a shovel full of dirt OR keep the flame down a bit (with my son's assistance) while I get the shovel full of dirt. The stream of water was long so I chanced it and got my son out. I am lucky that nothing bad happened to him.

At the time I really didn't know if the tank would explode. If that happened, I was thinking that there would now be lots of propane to cause a much larger fire around the yard/house.


Maybe this scenario would be a possible story for the TV show Mythbusters. I know I wouldn't want to test the theory of the tank not exploding.

Having my heli: Cool, Having a working heli: Awesome, Having a day to fly: PRICELESS!
05-09-2008 05:36 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
Mutt
Veteran
Location: t ca usa

every person I know that uses gas in some fashion or other checks for leaks.
05-09-2008 05:37 PM
 
 
Mutt
Veteran
Location: t ca usa

Quote 
I use to use this propane bbq quite a bit and NEVER had a leak problem, even when hand tightening the connection. With the connector tightened with my crescent wrench I didn't forsee a possible gas leak - obviously that was incorrect.
All it takes is a little piece of dirt to make it leak no matter how tight you get it.
Quote 
Needless to say, I'll use the leak test method from now on.
Very wise move. For the couple of seconds it takes to check it sure makes it well worth while not to have issues like that again.
05-09-2008 05:39 PM
 
 
Camp
Senior Heliman
Location: Easton, PA

As said it's very unlikely the tank would go up, they're designed for pretty high temps and pressures.

Had that happen once or twice too, I just reached down and closed the valve then took it apart to fix the leak.

What's great is when one of the emulsion tubes rusts to the point of breaking sending a nice jet of flame at your crotch!
05-09-2008 08:08 PM
 
 
Rafael23cc
Key Veteran
Location: Junction City, KS

Quote 
I quickly got the garden hose and turned a full blast of water stream at the propane tank - like in the movie. This ownly moved the flame away from me, the flame was just as strong.

While trainaing to go to Iraq in 2003 I faced a similar situation. There is this training device called the Christmas Tree. It is in the shape of a Christmas Tree but with a propane burner at each "branch" and a valve on the ground, just 12" from the closest burner.

The instructor will light it, and we had to go in and close the valve. Just as you did, we would spay water on the fire to "push" it away and create a barrier. Then the man in front would bend down and turn off the valve.

If I read your description of the events correctly, why didn't you just turn off the valve? You already had the fire pushed away from you.

Rafael

Keep your feet on the ground, but your eyes on the sky.
05-09-2008 08:20 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
Shoego Heli
Veteran
Location: San Diego, CA, USA

Quote 
If I read your description of the events correctly, why didn't you just turn off the valve? You already had the fire pushed away from you

At the time I was scared that this tank would explode, if I had the above replies in my head then I would've been confident in trying to close the valve. But even given that, the flame was large enough that it was over the shut off valve. With a thick glove I think I could've closed it though.

Like I said, the last time I used the propane bbq was about 2 years ago. The "autopsy" on it is that the burners are a little brittle at some parts (need to replace it) and the rubber hose is cracked from sun wear.

It's kind of funny or not, at the moment when the flame started I kept thinking, don't panic and think clearly. I believe that helped me even though everything seemed to happen soo fast while my body and actions seemed soo slow. Then when I got the fire out I simply wanted to beat that barbeque and the tank to hell since I was so pissed off at what happened.

Having my heli: Cool, Having a working heli: Awesome, Having a day to fly: PRICELESS!
05-09-2008 09:50 PM
HOMEPAGE  
 
 
scatbass
Heliman
Location: Hiram, GA

Quote 
every person I know that uses gas in some fashion or other checks for leaks.



I use my propane bbq on average 4 times a week, 52 weeks a year. Never had any issues, and have never checked for leaks. And no I don't plan on starting now either, if for no other reason than spite!



Mike
05-10-2008 05:02 AM
 
 
hockeyrules99
Senior Heliman
Location: topeka KS

SCATBASS...don't burn off your nose to "spite" your face! lol
Joking btw, I don't check either, but one thing I have learned is when dealing with any compressed gas flammable is to only open the tank 1/4 to 1/2 open. If anything goes wrong you make one quick turn and get out of there. I've been doing this for years and just last month my acytelene rig (handle) went up in flames as I was holding it (loose fitting) I dropped the handle and went for the valve, one quick bang with my hand and the flame was out.Only damage was I had no hair on my arms and the area smelled bad for awhile.

The propane tank would'nt have exploded unless you let it burn for awhile and even then I'm not so sure it would have failed, however your BBQ would have been well done.

John

weekend yet?
05-10-2008 02:40 PM
 
 
Mutt
Veteran
Location: t ca usa

Quote 
I use my propane bbq on average 4 times a week, 52 weeks a year
Yea so you want a brownie button or something? You ONLY have to check the fittings when You hook up the tank not everytime You use the damn thing sheesh. I personally dont give a rats ass if you do it or not may you not ever have a fire I myself have seen the damage a bbq can cause to a home or a persons body because they didnt check the fittings do what you want I dont care. the OP asked a question and I answered and asked why he didnt. He dont want to check thats his problem too. Like I said I dont know of anyone who dont check thier tanks and fitting when they use thiers be lazy.
05-10-2008 02:53 PM
 
 
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Off Topics > Can a bbq flame leading back to the propane tank lead to an explosion?
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