Different laws exist for small propane tanks — such as those used for gas grills and portable stoves — and for larger tanks used to heat a home or other building. Adding to the confusion, some states have passed laws that differ from the federal mandate. In this post, we’ll attempt to shed some light on the situation.
New Rules & Regulations For Owners of Propane Tanks >>
A propane tank’s date of manufacture or requalification date can be found stamped onto its collar. It will be in a month-year format — for instance, 06-21 for June 2021.
Tanks that have been requalified it will have an E or H after the date. Don’t confuse the date with the tank weight rating, which is also stamped onto its collar. Tare weighting is always prefaced by the letters TW, i.e. TW18 for an 18 lb. tank.
Propane tanks of 100 pounds capacity or less have an expiration date of 12 years from the date of manufacture. Once those 12 years are up, you can either exchange the tank for a replacement, or have it inspected for requalification for an additional five years of use.
In most states, large propane tanks used for home heat and hot water are governed by federal container laws. These laws dictates that a propane tank can only be filled by its owner or someone authorized to act for them. In practice, this means most home propane users lease their tank from a fuel supplier, who assumes responsibility for keeping track of its expiry date.
Federal container laws, as well as other regulations governing smaller propane tank expiry dates, have been endorsed by leading industry groups such as the National Propane Gas Association. Given the specialized nature of propane fuel and the need for well-maintained, reliable tanks, these laws help enforce a standard of safety that protects all users.
Is your propane tank expired or do you have additional questions? Get in touch with Foster Fuels to speak with a representative directly and give us a call at 800-344-6457.
Once those 12 years are up, you can either exchange the tank for a replacement, or have it inspected for requalification for an additional five years of use.
A propane tank’s expiration date can be found stamped on its collar in a month-year format, such as 06-21 for June 2021. To determine when your tank expires, simply add twelve years to the stamped date.
The manufacture date will be stamped on the propane tank’s collar. It will be in month-year format. If your tank was built in September of 2023, it would read as “09-23.” You will also find a unique identification number on the collar as well.
Propane tanks of 100 pounds capacity or less have an expiration date of 12 years from the date of manufacture. Once those 12 years are up, you can either exchange the tank for a replacement, or have it inspected for requalification for an additional five years of use.
Propane tanks of 100 pounds capacity or less have an expiration date of 12 years from the date of manufacture.
In most states, large propane tanks used for home heat and hot water are governed by federal container laws. These laws dictates that a propane tank can only be filled by its owner or someone authorized to act for them. In practice, this means most home propane users lease their tank from a fuel supplier, who assumes responsibility for keeping track of its expiry date.
To ensure the safety and compliance of your propane tank, it’s important to get it recertified on a regular basis. Wondering how to get your propane tank recertified? Simply contact your local office to schedule an appointment. When you bring your tank in for recertification, the staff will inspect it thoroughly. Once it passes the inspection, staff will affix a sticker on your tank with the inspection date and recertification date. This way, you can have peace of mind knowing that your propane tank is in good working condition.
For any questions or to schedule your recertification appointment, give us a call at 800-344-6457 or reach out to Foster Fuels directly. We’re here to help!
Propane recertification will vary from state to state and company to company. On average, recertification can cost anywhere from $20-$60.
While new propane tanks are typically qualified for 12 years from the manufacture date in the United States, recertified tanks are usually good for only 5-7 years depending on the method of recertification.
No, propane does not go bad. Unlike other fuels, propane does not degrade or go bad over time. In other words, there is no shelf life of propane.
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I like that you talk about how home propane tanks are governed by federal laws which only let authorized people fill them. It makes sense that this is important to ensure the safety and lifespan of the tank as well as to ensure the right pressure within it. It's something to keep in mind when looking to have the tank filled because making sure we hire the right company for the job could help keep everyone safe.
Thank you for all this great information about propane tanks expiration dates! I really like your point that leasing may be an easier way to have the tank filled by a trained professional because it needs to be filled by the owner or someone authorized. We are buying a home with a propane tank and will be following your tips to help. I appreciate it.
Greetings. Is it the same with 50kg tank the expiration of the propane?
The date stamped on the tank collar is NOT the expiration date, but the MANFUCTURING or certification date. A brand new tank should have a date within a few months of the current date. The EXPIRATION date is 12 years after the manufacturing date. Thus, a tank marked 6-17 would expire in June 2029, not June 2017.
This applies to all portable tanks (up to 100 LB or nominal 25 gallon, depending on where you buy them, the advertised capacity is stated differently) not just the smaller BBQ tanks..
How long can an industrial propane tank of 45 tonnes last after manufacture
My mom and I are planning to someday start a food trailer business and we are currently studying the feasibility of using propane tanks for the range we will be using. It's interesting to know that small tanks can last for up to 12 years. This info will come in handy since we can surely save some cash if we get propane refills instead of getting a new tank too often.
I'm planning to get a gas barbecue installed in my patio in preparation for hosting a barbecue and pool party that I'm planning to host about a month from now. It's interesting to know that propane tanks would last for 12 years before they are in need of an inspection. I guess I will have to make sure that the expiration date on my tank won't be erased.