How to Use a Propane Tank as an Air Tank

An old propane tank could be your next air tank.

If you take old propane tanks to a landfill, you usually have to pay a disposal fee to the landfill so they can properly dispose of the container. This places one more metal container in a landfill when you could convert your old propane tank to an air tank. You can do this even if you do not have experience with welding threaded bungs into steel containers. You can use a conversion kit that threads onto the existing filler nozzle.

Things You'll Need

• Adjustable wrench
• Enamel paint
• Conversion kit

Instructions

1. Inspect the outside of the tank for any major dents or rust. Inspect the area around the nozzle for rust. If you notice any significant rust on the outside of the propane container, discard it and obtain one that will work.

2. Open the valve on the propane tank and expel any propane inside the tank. If the tank has a significant amount of propane left in it, connect it to a grill and run the grill until the tank runs out of propane. Expel as little of the propane into the atmosphere as possible.

3. Loosen the nut that holds the nozzle onto the top of the propane tank. Make sure the pressure in the tank is equalized by keeping the valve open.

4. Place a quart of enamel paint into the propane tank. Slosh it around inside the tank so the entire tank surface is painted. Drain the excess paint back into the paint can and let the paint in the tank dry for 24 to 48 hours. This will keep the tank from rusting from the inside due to moist compressed air.

5. Place the nozzle back onto the tank with the adjustable wrench and thread the adapter kit onto the nozzle. It threads on just like you would thread on the connector for your grill. The adapter comes with a pressure gauge and the filler nozzle connected to an air hose.

Tips & Warnings

• You can get the conversion kit at most RV retailers.

References

• RV-News: Conversion kits

Resources

• Horrorfind: Concerting propane tanks