Propane fuels a camp stove, grill, portable heater or dual-fuel generator when the grid goes down, so you can cook, boil water and stay warm through a two week bug in or a long term power outage. It stores for years without going stale, which makes it a dependable fuel to keep on hand.
Propane stores well and burns clean, so it suits long stretches at home without grid power. Choose cylinders that match the stove, heater or generator you already own.
- Quantity: Plan on about one 20 pound cylinder per week of cooking for a family of four, and add more if propane also runs a heater or generator.
- Cylinder size: Pair 1 pound cylinders with small camp stoves and 20 pound cylinders with grills, heaters and generators, and use an adapter hose to run small gear from a large tank.
- Valve and date stamp: Pick cylinders with an overfill protection device and a current date stamp, since refill stations check both.
- Storage: Keep cylinders upright, outdoors or in a detached shed, in shade and away from ignition sources.
- Shelf life: Propane itself does not go stale, so inspect cylinders yearly for rust, dents and leaks.
- Safe use: Run only heaters rated for indoor use inside, with a carbon monoxide detector, and keep grills and generators outside.
