Using Propane While Underway

[Jamme]

I understand that propane tanks manufactured for vertical use should not be used horizontally, as the system could be drawing propane liquid instead of vapor, with damage and, potentially, explosion as a consequence — see e.g. https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ing-92330.html .

What is your opinion on using propane stoves while underway: do you think one should refrain from using them, as the boat heeling could potentially create the same issue?

Personally I have 2x 5lbs vertical tanks, and always used my stove underway. Have I just been lucky?

Fair winds all.

[Cheechako]

Not a problem that I have ever heard. maybe if it's really rough you should avoid it.

[Dsanduril]

Propane tank design calls for 20% (by volume) headspace when the tank is "full". This allows for gasification of the liquid but also provides some room for heeling/tilting. To know how far you have to heel before liquid gets to the gas outlet depends on the tank geometry, for a narrow, tall tank you can actually tilt quite far before the liquid approaches the vapor draw point.

[BillKny]

Originally Posted by Jamme

I understand that propane tanks manufactured for vertical use should not be used horizontally, as the system could be drawing propane liquid instead of vapor, with damage and, potentially, explosion as a consequence — see e.g. https://www.cruisersforum.com/forums...ing-92330.html .

What is your opinion on using propane stoves while underway: do you think one should refrain from using them, as the boat heeling could potentially create the same issue?

Personally I have 2x 5lbs vertical tanks, and always used my stove underway. Have I just been lucky?

Fair winds all.

The over fill protection in all modern propane tanks makes drawing liquid virtually impossible--not that it ever happened on board any boat with a tank properly strapped down even before these tanks came into service.

Find something real to worry about.

[Jamme]

Thank you all.

[Sam Woodbridge]

Originally Posted by BillKny

The over fill protection in all modern propane tanks makes drawing liquid virtually impossible--not that it ever happened on board any boat with a tank properly strapped down even before these tanks came into service.

Find something real to worry about.

I thought it was interesting question and got me thinking. Thank you OP

[psk125]

If heeling created problems in using propane stoves, the stoves wouldn't be mounted on gimbals so you could use them when heeled.

[ggray]

There you go!

Gimbal the tank, too.

[JPA Cate]

Not necessary to gimbal the tank at all. Thousands of meals under way, over the years.

Ann

[Scorpius]

Thirty five years of sailing with a propane stove and water heater. Never a problem. Never even thought it could be a problem. Interesting.

[KadeyKrogen38]

I have an aluminum horizontal tank. No problem.

[MV Caroline]

You'd have to be knocked down ninety degrees to have a problem with the gas supply being sucked out in liquid form. Your pots, at that point, would have flown across the cabin and done the real damage.

[Caliber40]

No need to for reasons already mentioned!

[Caliber40]

No need to for reasons already mentioned

[captnknopf]

The real problem comes from liquid propane going up the hose then you turning off the valve or solenoid valve. As long as the valves are open, the pressure before the regulator can not be higher than propane pressure (about 150 psi depending on temperature). after the pressure regulator the pressure is like one PSI.