Off Topic--Warning regarding Propane tanks

[uncleglenn]

I just received this from another Retired C130 FE & think it is worth passing on to every one in \"Herky\" land.

Glenn

Subject: Propane Tank Warning

A message from the Law Enforcement Network:

For those of you who like to grill it up during the summer, here\'s a

safety announcement you should be aware of.

Please put this information out to ALL. Even if you do not use and

exchange a propane tank, send this out for those that do. This is

something you definitely need to be aware of, especially in light of

the

recent news of \"Meth-labs\" in our area:

\"There was a meth training/workshop yesterday and there was a

lot

of great new information presented.

Meth cooks are getting the propane tanks from the exchanges at

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.

According to our presenter, 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.\"

Here\'s the NPGA Site for your review also. They have pictures.

http://www.npga.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=529

[gizzard]

As opposed to many of the \"urban legends\" floating around on the internet, this is genuine. In connection with my present job as a career firefighter( how does one go from stretchin\' straps to runnin\' into places everybody else runs out of, i don\'t know:laugh: )I have seen a lot of wanrings and articles about this situation. Anyway, this is very much a problem, for about any kind of similar container. Fortunately, it seems that most of the cylinders end up in landfills, roadside dumps and so on. Not necessarily in the exchanges, even thouhg it is possible. Probaly the best thing you could dois look for any type of corrosion or discolorization around the valve assembly. Propane does not normally corrode the brass, and ammonia does. So be careful folks. When you are usin\' one of these things, often we have family and friends nearby, so caution is the best bet always.

[tinyclark]

Ahh, the advantage of charcoal and wood,

Set a big fire

Don\'t have to worry about gas bottles

Tastes soooooooooo much better.

Tiny \"Weber Kettle\" Clark

[gizzard]

You are SOOOOOOOOOOOO right, Tiny!!!!:P

[EClark]

Their is nothing like raw red meat on wood embers the smell is so good;) ;)

[Dan Wilson]

Nothing quite like charred mammal flesh old school, ditched the gas grill five years ago and never looked back!!

Dan