Most manufacturers recommend that propane tanks be stored outdoors for the winter, usually in the shade.
This may require that the tank be disconnected from your grill – some of us prefer to bring our grills inside even though leaving it outside (and still hooked to the tank but shut off) won’t hurt.
This article discusses how to disconnect propane tank from grill when you want to leave the propane tank outside.
How to disconnect propane tank from grill
Follow these steps to unhook the tank from the grill when you’re done for the grilling season:
Step by step process
Before we start, note that you’ll need a crescent wrench (also called a knuckle-buster in some places) to complete the procedure.
I must also say that it’s a rather straightforward task, though, as is the norm when handling propane tanks; you should observe the various safety best practices.
Here are some basic safety measures to put into action for your peace of mind throughout the process:
- Work in the open- most of us know this: you can never do this in the garage, basement, or any other closed area. The risk of fire is too huge, considering that some gas typically escapes from the pigtail/hogtail (the tank-regulator connection) at some point.
- Turn everything off- first, turn off your grill, then the tank’s valve the usual way. The tank may leak if not turned off, and you could risk an unpleasant turn of events- a small leak can trigger a massive explosion or a devastating fire.
- Resist pesky cigarette cravings – also, remember to refrain from smoking at any point for obvious reasons.
The steps are as follows:
Step 1: Unhook the regulator
Essentially, you will do just two things:
- Unhook the regulator
- Disconnect the gas grill.
To begin with, disengage the regulator as set out below:
- Apply the wrench to the large fastener on the tank’s regulator – make sure the tool’s two jaws fit tightly around the fastener (check that there’s no play) before proceeding.
- Once your wrench is in the right position, hold its handle as far as possible (from the jaws) and start turning it to make the connection loosen. For the most part, you should rotate the wrench clockwise to free the nut.
- Next, keep the wrench away and use your hand to unscrew the mounting nut.
- Turn it counterclockwise by hand until you can detach the neck of your regulator from the tank connection.
Once you’re finished with the regulator, proceed with the propane tank removal in step 2:
Step 2: Disconnect the tank
This is the simplest step: pull the propane tank from your gas grill’s cart. Voila!
Keep in mind that depending on your model, you may need to loosen a restraining strap before you attempt to remove the tank.
How to hook up propane tank to grill
When the grilling season is back, you’ll need to pull out the tank (and the grill) from storage and reconstruct the connection.
You can follow these easy steps to reconnect your propane gas tank to the grill.
1. Preliminaries
Ensure your grill and tank are positioned safely, as far away as possible from flammable materials. Next, open the cover of your grill completely.
Word of Caution: The propane tank’s valve knob must be closed (check that it’s in the OFF position) before you go on.
2. Hook the tank up
Now connect the propane tank’s nozzle to your grill’s gas line—ensure a snug fit but be careful not to over-tighten it as this may make it difficult to pull out in the future.
3. Connect the regulator
Connect the regulator to the valve, then go ahead and turn the mounting nut clockwise by hand, then use the wrench to secure it properly.
4. Attach the hose
Finally, attach the hose to the unit’s valve control stems using your adjustable wrench.
5. Check for leaks
As a rule of thumb, testing for any leaks is important before using the system.
The simplest and quickest test involves turning on the gas and then listening out for any sounds of propane leaking.
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Also, be keen for any odor of propane. Shut off the gas and try to reconnect the regulator correctly at all points if your tests point to a leakage.
You should only attempt to cook with the unit after eliminating the leaks.
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How to disconnect propane tank from grill – Faq’s
Should I disconnect propane tank from grill for winter?
It depends on how you want to store your propane tank for winter. In general, you should disconnect the tank if you want to store the grill inside and the tank outside during the cold months.
But if you want to store your grill outside after the season ends, you can keep the tank connected without any issues as long as it’s off. Be sure to cover your grill with a quality cover for protection against elements if you find this option convenient.
Also, consider covering the tank with a plastic tarp in good condition to prevent ice from settling on your tank. This also keeps snow away and can reduce the risk of the tank rusting.
How do I disconnect my Weber grill from propane tank?
The procedure for weber grills is pretty much similar to other grills. Here is how:
1. Check that the grill and tank are both standing safely.
2. Disconnect the regulator in the manner outlined earlier.
3. Unfasten the tank from the gas grill.
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Quick Tip: Your owner’s manual may have the definite recommended steps for your particular weber grill model. Check it out before everything else.
While this post teaches the basics of disconnecting propane tanks from a gas grill (and making the reverse connection), you should refer to your owner’s manual first to determine how it should be done on your specific model.
That way, you can be sure that you will not end up messing up, which can result in potentially costly damage to the regulator or another part.
Happy grilling, friend!
