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What is Propane?

Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt

Whether being used for daily cooking use, home heating, or the occasional barbecue, propane is a popular fuel. A liquid form of petroleum gas, it is not a naturally occurring resource. It is instead refined from crude oil or natural gas, then pressurized until it becomes a gas.

Many people refer to this fuel as liquefied petroleum, or LP, and it is also known as liquefied petroleum gas, or LPG. The gas's European name is autogas. It is odorless and colorless, and it can be used to power homes, businesses, vehicles, and emergency backup generators.

On its own, propane is considered nontoxic. A fuel with a high octane rating, it is considered to be safe around water, soil, and other resources. For this reason, it is often used in portable stoves, torches, BBQ grills, and other outdoor equipment.

Propane is often used in torches.
Propane is often used in torches.

This gas is used all across the globe by millions of people in the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. It is typically stored in a tank, from which it can be easily dispensed and refilled. Residential tanks may fuel a whole home, or only one energy source in a home, such as the stove. Some people prefer to use propane in their homes in order to maintain power during electrical outages.

A propane tank.
A propane tank.

Molecularly, the gas is made up of eight hydrogen molecules and three carbon molecules. When in liquid form, this fuel has a temperature of -50°F (10°C), and its boiling point is -44°F (7°C). This means that that it is dangerously cold and should not come into contact with human skin.

Though considered a fairly safe and efficient fuel, propane is a petroleum product. The gas is a nonrenewable resource, created from fossil fuels over millions of years. Humans cannot replace it, so it may eventually have to be replaced by alternative fuel sources.

Propane is commonly used during a barbecue.
Propane is commonly used during a barbecue.

This fuel can also be dangerous in some situations. Propane has more than 25 times the energy of natural gas, so it can cause severe damage if a storage tank ruptures or explodes. Such occurrences can be deadly, resulting in massive destruction and property loss. Gas leaks can also create explosions or fires. This fuel can also produce carbon monoxide, a toxic gas that is listed as one of the most common causes of air poisoning across the globe.

A propane tank for a grill.
A propane tank for a grill.

Safety precautions can be met in order to prevent LP damage from occurring. Oderants are often added to it so that it can be smelled in the case of leaks. Care should be used when mowing or moving objects around tanks to avoid jostling or possibly rupturing them. Tanks should never be stored indoors, and should always kept upright. Tanks should never be cut in half or thrown away in a dumpster; instead, they should be properly disposed of by contacting a gas company.

Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt

A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, Sara has a Master’s Degree in English, which she puts to use writing for HomeQuestionsAnswered and several magazines, websites, and nonprofit organizations. She has published her own novella, and has other literary projects currently in progress. Sara’s varied interests have also led her to teach children in Spain, tutor college students, run CPR and first aid classes, and organize student retreats.

Learn more...
Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt

A graduate of Southeast Missouri State University, Sara has a Master’s Degree in English, which she puts to use writing for HomeQuestionsAnswered and several magazines, websites, and nonprofit organizations. She has published her own novella, and has other literary projects currently in progress. Sara’s varied interests have also led her to teach children in Spain, tutor college students, run CPR and first aid classes, and organize student retreats.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

disciples

Where can I find the lowest prices on propane refills? If there a website or some kind of service that tracks the prices in your area the way they do with gas prices?

truman12

I know that a lot of people swear by charcoal grills, but I have always been a propane guy myself.

I think it is easier to set up, cheaper in the long run, and easier to cook on. Plus, I do not always need to grill a bunch of stuff. For instance, I make a great grilled veggie lasagna, but it would be a huge waste to have to build an entire charcoal fire for 5 minutes of veggie grilling. The propane grill lets me grill only as much as I need.

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    • Propane is often used in torches.
      By: ontebeoteg
      Propane is often used in torches.
    • A propane tank.
      By: Ty Konzak
      A propane tank.
    • Propane is commonly used during a barbecue.
      By: Jim Lambert
      Propane is commonly used during a barbecue.
    • A propane tank for a grill.
      A propane tank for a grill.
    • Propane heaters come in a variety of sizes.
      By: Andrea Izzotti
      Propane heaters come in a variety of sizes.
    • Propane is often used in portable camping stoves.
      By: Maygutyak
      Propane is often used in portable camping stoves.