Can You Use A Forklift Propane Tank On A Grill? (Find Out Now!)
Grilling is an all-American pastime, especially in the heartland part of the country. That’s an area where propane is rife, and so is Midwestern ingenuity. Sometimes, you occasionally hear of people debating whether you can use forklift propane for a tank on a grill. Is this doable?
You should never try to use a forklift propane tank on a grill. First off, the fixtures between the tanks are not going to fit. Second, forklift propane tanks remain fully liquid rather than gas. Using one may lead to serious injury or death as a result of the high quantities of propane that gets discharged.
It’s tempting to try to rig your extra tank to the grill, but a forklift tank is not the way to do it. We’re going to explain the importance of using the right tank in this article.
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Why Can’t You Use A Forklift Propane Tank On A Propane Grill?
Forklift propane tanks and grill tanks are two completely different animals, down to the very way they were built. Here’s what makes them so different:
- Forklift tanks are made to deliver propane in liquid form, while grill tanks deliver it in gas form. This means that, by nature, these two tanks are not interchangeable. If you manage to light a flame with a forklift tank, the fire will travel down into the tank and explode.
- The connections for each tank are also different. This was done by design, as a way to prevent people from hooking the forklift tank to the propane unit. Even if you have a model that has similar tubing, it won’t fit quite as well as it should.
- They are also totally different sizes. A forklift tank will not comfortably fit under the grill’s area for your tank. It’s just not a fit!
What Happens If You Use A Forklift Tank On A Gas Grill?
In most cases, people are not going to be able to light a fire with a forklift tank. You will end up turning the grill on, but the liquid propane will not make it to the spout. If you somehow manage to connect the tank to the grill (and that’s a BIG if!), you’ll have it dribble out or choke the piping.
However, this isn’t always what happens.
If you manage to light a fire with a forklift tank, the fire can end up causing your tank and grill to explode. Anyone around the grill will probably be caught in the fire, resulting in serious injuries or even death.
Will Using A Forklift Tank On Your Grill Void Your Warranty?
Warranties only cover damage that occurs from having defective parts. In order for your warranty to remain in effect, you have to ensure that the damage caused wasn’t because you did something unusual with your grill. This would include using the wrong type of tank or fuel for your grill.
If your grill explodes from trying this out, there is virtually no chance that you will be able to get a new grill from your warranty. That’s not how this works.
Is Forklift Tank Propane And Grill Tank Propane The Same?
Propane is propane. Chemically speaking, there is not going to be a difference between the molecular composition of the gas in either tank. It’s the exact same chemical. However, it’s the dispense method that makes the two of them so different.
With the mechanisms in a forklift propane tank, the propane is kept liquid. In a gas tank, it’s obviously kept as gas. Aside from the difference in pressure, there’s nothing different about them.
What Should You Do If You Run Out Of Grilling Propane?
I wish that I could say that there was another propane alternative that you could use aside from the grill propane tank you have. However, if you want to have propane, you need to have a grill propane tank. Nothing else will work with your grill or keep you safe.
This does not mean that you have no other options, though! If you own natural gas converter hoses, then you can actually hook your grill up to the natural gas source for your home. This can be a quick fix for people who might have to wait a couple of days before their propane delivery comes to their home. Of course, that setup is a whole ‘nother article.
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Related Questions
Does the size of your propane tank matter for a grill?
As long as it is a tank meant for grilling, then the size of your propane tank will not matter. While most people tend to prefer 20-lb propane tanks, the truth is that you can use tanks as small as eight pounds or a large as 50 without any serious change. To make sure that your tank is appropriate for use, make sure that you check to see if it’s graded for grill use.
Where can I buy a propane tank for my grill?
Finding a place that seller grill propane tanks is a cinch, especially if you are out in the country. Most camping supply stores have them. Of course, hardware stores and grocery stores will also have a section where you can find propane tanks.Smaller camping grill tanks can be found in almost any major store, including Walmart. If you need a much larger tank, then you might have to stick to hardware stores and actual propane dealerships. You can always find out where your closest one is by searching them up on Google.
How much is an empty propane tank worth?
This all depends on the size. In most situations, you can sell or buy an empty gas tank shell for anywhere from $50 to $100. In some cases, such as larger tanks, you might end up having to pay as much as $125. If you don’t want to buy one and just want to get rid of yours, you can call up a propane company and ask them to get rid of your tank for you.Most propane tank companies have exchange and recycling programs you can participate in.
Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.
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