Propane FAQ & Tips
MIGHTY FLAME PROPANE EXCHANGE TIPS FOR SAFER USE
Get Answers To Your Questions About Propane
Mighty Flame Propane Exchange is committed to helping our gas grill propane exchange customers enjoy the comfort and convenience of propane. And keeping our customers safe while they use propane is our number-one priority.
Below you will find valuable safety and maintenance tips that will help keep you and your family safe year round.
Always use your propane grill outdoors in a well-ventilated area. Do not bring propane tanks or cylinders or grills intended for outdoor use inside or into an enclosed space, such as a garage.
- Always follow all of the grill manufacturer’s instructions and keep written materials in a safe, accessible place.
- Before lighting your propane gas grill, use a leak-detection solution made from a teaspoon of mild liquid hand soap in a cup of water to check all connections for leaks. Bubbles at the connection indicate leakage. Rinse thoroughly using clear water.
- Never use matches or lighters to check for leaks.
- Make sure your propane grill is shut off and cooled off before covering after use.
- When not in use, make sure the grill burner controls are off and keep the cylinder valve closed.
- Never allow children to tamper or play with the cylinder or grill.
- If there is an uncontrollable release of propane gas or a fire, call the fire department immediately and move all people and pets away from the grill. Do not attempt to move the grill or put the fire out with a fire extinguisher.
- Clean the burner and tubes. Make sure the propane tank is turned off and disconnected. Following the instructions in the owner’s manual, remove the briquettes and cooking grids. Unfasten the burner, slip the venturi tubes off the orifices, and remove the burner unit as a whole. Clean off any dirt or grease accumulation using a soft cloth and soapy water, then towel dry the unit. When the unit is dry, clean out each gas port on the burner unit with toothpicks and clean the venturi tubes by soaking in warm, soapy water.
- Clean the grill housing. Before you start, cover the gas orifices beneath the control panel with aluminum foil to prevent corrosion. Scrub the grill’s inner and outer surfaces with a brass-bristle brush and soapy water. Rinse thoroughly with a garden hose and towel dry. After the grill housing is dry, reattach the burner, venturi tubes, and igniter.
- Check the fuel supply system. Always inspect the gas line, connections, and propane cylinder for damage, rust, and corrosion before restarting the grill. Reconnect your propane tank to the grill and test the connections for leaks by brushing them with a solution of mild hand soap and water. Avoid using dish soap or window cleaner containing ammonia as it will corrode brass fittings. After checking for leaks, rinse thoroughly with clean water. Turn on the gas. If bubbles appear or the distinctive “rotten egg” smell of gas is present, turn off the gas and tighten the connections. Wait three minutes, then do the test again. If the bubbles or smell continues, shut off the gas and call your local propane supplier.
- Clean the briquettes and cooking grids. Flip the briquettes so the greasy side faces the burner and place the grids in their usual places. Light the grill, close the lid, and set the flame on high for 15 minutes. The heat will burn the grease off the briquettes and grids. After the grill cools, remove the grids and briquettes. Using the brass-bristle brush and some warm, soapy water, scrub the grids clean, rinse, and towel dry.
- Never turn on appliances without an adult present.
- Keep paper and toys away from gas furnaces, space heaters, ranges, water heaters, fireplaces, and any other gas appliances.
- Stay away from propane tanks and pipes.
- Never play with matches.
- If you smell propane, exit the home immediately without running or using any electrical switches or appliances. Go to a trusted adult for help. Call a parent from a nearby phone so they can contact the gas company or fire department.
- Do not smoke while handling your propane tank.
- Never store or use a propane tank in your home or any other enclosed space, such as a garage, basement, or shed.
- Always use, transport, and store propane tanks in an upright, vertical position with the cylinder valve turned off.
- Store propane tanks and cylinders outdoors away from sources of ignition and in a place where they will not be exposed to high temperatures.
- Be aware of regulations regarding the safe transportation of propane cylinders, as they vary from city to city. Contact your local fire department for propane transport regulations.
- Make sure to read all warning labels attached to the propane tank.
- Make sure your propane cylinder is equipped with an OPD valve. The unique triangular shape of the valve’s hand wheel and the letters “OPD” can identify OPD cylinders. Cylinders with a round or star-shaped hand wheel are obsolete.
- In the United States, any cylinder over 12 years old must be re-certified before it can be filled. Have your propane cylinder filled by a trained, certified propane professional.
- Do not attempt to repair a damaged propane tank yourself. Return the damaged propane tank to a qualified propane supplier for repairs or disposal.
- It is strongly recommended that you have your propane system checked at least once a year by a trained, qualified service technician. During the inspection, all parts of your system, including the vent pipes, should be checked to make sure they are in good working condition and to help avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Be sure to have all propane-powered appliances installed and repaired by a qualified technician.
- All furnaces can collect lint and dirt and should be cleaned regularly. Contact a reputable heating contractor to perform the cleaning, along with an equipment check up.
- Drain your water heater periodically to get rid of sediment build-up on the bottom of the tank.
- When using a space heater, it is essential that the space above and around the unit be free of any combustible materials, such as draperies or plastics. Check the manufacturer’s instructions for clearance distances.
- Lighting pilots is not for the novice. Only trained professionals should light your pilot lights.
- Make sure the shelter or camper is adequately ventilated at all times.
- Have your camping appliances checked at least once a year by a qualified technician to ensure they are functioning properly.
- Never use a propane stove in an enclosed area. It should be located in an open, well-ventilated area away from shrubs, dry wood, and other combustibles.
- Never leave a hot stove unattended. Always turn it off, allowing it to cool before moving it.
- Keep dirt and foreign particles out of the propane lantern valves and blow the valves clean before connecting a cylinder to the lantern.
- Never operate a lantern without a mantle or with a damaged mantle that has visible holes or cracks.
- Leave plenty of clearance between your propane lantern and combustible materials.
- Use the lantern only as a light source. It is not a space heater.
- Only use propane gas heaters that have been tested and labeled by a recognized agency.
- Use the heater only for heating, not for cooking food or drying clothes.
