Gas canister storage

Well, here I am in the realm of glass bead makers (sorta) with my first question about the process - how do you store the canisters of gas when not in use? Right now, it's under the kitchen sink (cool, dark). The torch head has been removed, the plastic cap put back on. Hubby's freaking out a little bit about storing it in the house at all (actually, not a house, just an apartment). All the windows are still open, getting lots of cross-ventilation here. Any suggestions for a newbie with limited space?

So - after talking about it non-stop after spending a couple of days of glass play with a friend, my sis got me the beginner's kit for Christmas. I just spent all afternoon and most of the evening melting glass. Yay! There's nowhere to set up for it in my studio, so I had to use the kitchen table, which will turn into a major pain if I stick with it.

I hope everyone is enjoying a healthy, happy holiday season :)

Cheers, Carla

Reply to
Carla
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Personally, I believe all gas should be stored outdoors. A leak could kill you. If it's propane, remember that propane sinks, so open windows may not do the trick.

Reply to
Kandice Seeber

Unfortunately, I don't have an outdoor area to store it in, not even a windowsill to set it out on. There's an enclosed back porch that we use for storage but can't even get to the windows out there; not to mention that during the summer, the temps out there reach almost 100 degrees.

Hmmm...looks like I might have to re-think the lampworking...

Cheers, Carla

Kandice Seeber wrote:

Reply to
Carla

I have mine stored outside, and have it pumped to the inside through a hole in my wall. What kind of torch setup do you have - and what size tanks are you using?

Reply to
Kandice Seeber

I have a 16 oz. cylinder of MAPP gas, using it with the beginner's lampwork kit, purchased probably from JoAnn's or Dick Blick. The torch head came with the kit. Since I live in a second floor rental apartment, I really don't have an outside place to store it, and can't put a hole in the wall.

Carla

Kandice Seeber wrote:

Reply to
Carla

Carla you might check your RENTAL CONTRACT also - many prohibit use or storage of flammable or hazardous materials.

Otherwise - I strongly recommend you find someplace outdoors to store it when not in use. The valves on those bottles are notorious for not sealing well. We used small propane in scouting, and I recall many times when we could not get one to close or shut off when we disconnected. If that happens - put the torch head back on immediately....

Try a flea market and see if you can f> Well, here I am in the realm of glass bead makers (sorta) with my first

Reply to
Cheryl

Oh, Mapp gas is okay to have inside, I think. I don't use a hothead, so I'm not sure. Sorry about that!

Reply to
Kandice Seeber

Gah, please ignore my last post. because I use a completely different type of torch, my view is not as knowledgeable. I would listen to Cheryl on this.

Try visiting the tech sections on the lampworking forums for lots if info -

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Reply to
Kandice Seeber

Thanks for the tip, Kandice. I've spent hours on a couple of different lampworker sites trying to find an answer. Seems it's a pretty intense topic of discussion :)

In trying to do the "right thing", I thought I'd call the city information service and ask "Can I keep a one-pound cylinder of MAPP gas in my home?" The nice lady who answered the phone said "Huh? A map gas? What's that?" Then she referred me to my local firehouse. The conversation went like this -

Me: Is it considered safe to store a one pound cylinder of MAPP gas in my home?"

Fireman: One pound mask? Huh?

Me: No. MAPP gas."

FM: Gas? It is leaking?

Me: No, it's not leaking. It's a brand new cylinder...of MAPP gas.

FM: What do you use it for?

Me: Lampworking.

FM: Gas lamp?

Me: Small torching jobs. Kinda like propane.

FM: Oh no. You should never ever keep those big tanks of propane in the home. They have to be secured outside.

Me: No, it's not propane, and it's not a big tank. It's a small cylinder of MAPP gas for using a small torch to melt glass.

FM: Hmmm...well, I've never heard of it, but if it's small enough, it's probably okay.

Me: Um...okay then. Thanks.

LOL!

I haven't given up researching, just gotta get to a library to look up the city's fire code.

Cheers, Carla

Kandice Seeber wrote:

Reply to
Carla

ROFL - wow, I guess MAPP gas canisters are just not well known! That conversation with the local firestation cracks me up!

This is also a good forum:

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Reply to
Kandice Seeber

Hi Carla,

we store small (Coleman, i.e propane, and not a lot of them) canisters in the house. This is an all wood house and we're in earthquake country. (this is for Coleman lanterns and such, when power goes out, which it sometimes does - don't make me remember the 3 months on an extension cord, of which the first few days were with no electricity at all). If you can store it on your porch when disconnected, I'd probably do so, at least outside summer. - Having said that, it never gets as hot here as it does in Chicago, but we have our propane tanks outside, and exposed to sunlight for at least part of the day, and so far it hasn't been a problem (DH has been in this house for over 20 years, only 17 years for myself). A lot of people here have a lot more propane around than we do ... (we carry small tanks around, a lot of people have stationary large tanks. I wouldn't want one of those around here.)

Aloha, Maren (currently with a full 9gal propane tank in the carport, as nobody bothered to carry it further in yet. I'm pretty sure it can blow up our

house, but I don't want to think about it. We need that spare bottle of

propane because I'm sure we'll run out when it's least convenient to get a new one. We have run out in the middle of cooking a turkey. Once.)

Reply to
m.purves

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