Thought this was important enough to share. There is a link below that confirms the message.
For any of you who use gas grills and exchange propane tanks, please read the warning below and check out the link attached. This has been verified as a real warning, so please be careful and have a safe holiday weekend.
Meth cooks are getting exchanged propane tanks from places like Wal-Mart, Kroger, etc. and emptying them of the propane. Then, they are filling them with anhydrous ammonia (which they now have a recipe for by the way). After they are finished with them, they return them to the store.
They are then refilled with propane and sent back for you and me to buy. Anhydrous ammonia is very corrosive and weakens the structure of the tank. It can be very dangerous when mixed with propane and hooked up to our grills, etc. You should inspect the propane tank for any blue or
greenish residue around the valve areas. If it is present, refuse to purchase that one.
You should check out the following website for more details. They also have pictures.
This post went around before, and a search of Snopes.com will also show that while it is possible, it isn't probable that this would actually happen. Most LP distributors would be checking their bottles before re-filling them, and would notice the problems/smell of the bad tanks before putting them back out for use.
It's also easier to just refill your old bottles, instead of swapping them, though you'll probably want to do as I have, and have 2-3 bottles, so you don't run out over the weekend.
Still, in fairness to the OP, thanks for what could be a potentially dangerous situation. With a forum like this, many topics are repeated time and again, as new members join......hey, anyone want to talk about fuel prices???
DH Bill / DW Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris The Paps! Sophie, Abby, Brandy, Kahlie and Annie
2000 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C, Ford V-10
Purchased April Fools Day, 2008 The Pets
Why would a meth maker exchange an empty tank for one full of propane when they have no use for the propane?
Also, the ammonia will discolor the valve assembly with a blue-greenish color so that is all you have to really look at.
In reading the Snopes site, it was stated that this "myth" is Undetermined as it does contain some truth but also some conjecture. I've not heard of any reports on the news of tank theft, in fact this is the only place where the subject has come up.
Regardless, I think it does behoove anyone who uses tank exchange to look at the valve area for discoloration.
Rich,and Tobi (the rescued dog)
Prowler 5ver, 84 Ford F250 KCOCOLOR78 Weather
Colo. Spgs. CO
Offline
Most LP distributors would be checking their bottles before re-filling them, and would notice the problems/smell of the bad tanks before putting them back out for use.
