3 Reasons To Purge Your New Propane Tanks Before Use
Propane is a clean-burning and efficient fuel source. Homeowners often rely on propane to help power stovetops, furnaces, and other home appliances. Consumers invest in propane tanks to house their supply of propane while it awaits use. You might think that you can just fill up a brand new propane tank after purchase, but this isn't the case.
New tanks must be purged before they can be filled with a ready supply of propane. Here are three reasons why the purging process plays a critical role in the efficiency and performance of new propane tanks.
1. Eliminate Contaminants
New propane tanks are filled with compressed air to keep them pressurized during shipping. Compressed air contains not only air but certain amounts of moisture and other contaminants as well.
The purging process is designed to lower the air pressure inside new propane tanks in preparation for the filling process. Purging will also eliminate any contaminants that might compromise the quality of your propane supply and potentially damage your propane appliances over time.
2. Ensure a Proper Fill
The compressed air that is injected into propane tanks prior to delivery takes up room inside the tank. All of this air must be purged out of the tank if you want to create ample space for propane.
Failing to fully purge a new propane tank before you fill it up for the first time could prevent you from completely filling the tank with propane.
New tanks that aren't filled completely with propane could run low before you are even aware that a refill is needed. A thorough purging prior to the first fill will ensure you get a full tank of propane each time you refill your tank in the future.
3. Protect Your Appliances
The purging process plays a critical role in protecting your propane appliances against damage. Any air that is left inside a new propane tank as it is filled will intermingle with the propane.
Propane that is contaminated with air can have a negative impact on the burners found in your propane appliances. Air causes the flame produced by your propane to become unstable. This could result in unpredictable appliance performance and damage to the burner itself.
Complete a thorough purge of any new propane tank before you put it to use to ensure that you don't inadvertently damage your expensive propane appliances as a result of air contamination within the tank.