Cynch Propane Delivery Review and Propane Questions

[Michael_in_TX]

I've never had any appliance that ran on propane before. I actually still don't, but I have my generator (which, sigh, is still in its box) and I intend to use propane as a backup. (It's a tri-fuel, so it will run on my natural gas, propane, and gasoline.)

At the risk of being chided on paying too much for something, I decided to give a propane delivery service a try, Cynch.com, which is a service of AmeriGas. I wish all things in life could be this simple and straightforward.

I entered my address, specified if I wanted front door or garage door delivery (sides and back of house are available for an additional fee), entered in my credit card number, clicked "buy" and less than 24 hours later a 20 lb propane tank showed up in front of my door like magic.

It is slightly pricey with spare/new tanks at $65 (I had a $10 off coupon so I got my first one for $55) and exchanges at $24. Until I start going through these things regularly, this is worth the convenience! (For me, at least.)

Now for my questions.....

AmeriGas makes a big deal about not storing these things in an attached garage. I wasn't expecting that; people store gas an other flammable things in their garage all the time. So right now I've got it in my backyard (away from my grills!), but it is exposed to the elements.

I'd like to cover it (as well as put it on a concrete paver to get it off the ground) to keep the rain and sun off of it. Amazon sells "propane tank" covers which are clearly meant for other things, but they do seem to cover these things nicely. My question is, is it okay to cover the top? This won't dangerously impede any venting?

[Panhead John]

As long as your propane tank is not next to any hot objects, or has a leak, you should be fine. My biggest question is why is it still in the box? You should take it out ASAP and test it, along with familiarizing yourself with how to use it. You don’t want to have to do these things at the last minute if the need arises. Also, if you don’t have a 5 gallon gas can along with a 1 or 2 gallon gas can, you might want to pick one up. The 5 gallon is to have a good amount of gas on hand. The smaller gas can is so you can pour the gas from the 5 gallon can into a smaller one. It’s much easier to then pour your gas into the generator with the smaller gas cans. Even though it’s a Tri-Fuel, it’s not a bad idea to have gasoline on hand if needed. During an extended outage that can happen in a hurricane, you might not have propane delivery available. A single propane tank isn’t going to last that long in an extended outage.

[Michael_in_TX]

Wise words...the one-year anniversary of Beryl's landfall on Matagorda is tomorrow. (Fully intended to do that this weekend but things got away from me.)

That is an excellent idea on the gas cans. I remember from my days of mowing my parents' lawn that I am very good at splashing gas around!

[Panhead John]

It’s really hard to pour gas out of a can sometimes without splashing some around, you ain’t the only one. From experience: Don’t go and get just any ol gas can. Read reviews on them first! Because of some stupid ass government regulations on the environment, they actually cracked down on…..gas cans also! 🙄 Trying to prevent fumes from leaking and spillage, they actually made them a PIA to use for a lot of gas cans out there.

[dpearce]

I agree with Panhead John the gas cans these days have extraordinarily frustrating spouts on them. I handled all the sheds and mowers for our local junior high and high school softball program, and got fed up with the new-fangled ones every time I needed to refuel a mower. The good news is, you can buy replacement nozzles from Amazon that are just like the old ones. They come in various thread sizes since the threads on the can, aren't always quite the same.

[Uncle Bob]

Gasoline has a short shelf life. You can extend it some with stabilizer additives, and if you have it available locally, buy non ethanol gasoline which will store slightly longer. If you run gasoline in the generator and then expect it to sit for more than a month or two you should drain/pump all the fuel out of the tank and drain the carburetor plus start the engine and let it run out of any gasoline in the fuel system you couldn't drain. Once that gasoline degrades and starts to form a varnish you run the risk that it won't run again until fully cleaned. Based on that, propane should be the primary fuel plan with gasoline only as a desperation/only thing available back up.

[Michael_in_TX]

This is exactly why I don't want to mess with gas. I recognize it's the best performer of all of the fuels, but it is finicky. I do have access to non-ethanol gas via a nearby Buc-ees (yay Texas).

[Panhead John]

I will retort Uncle Bob’s comments tomorrow…..🥸

[DaveD]

Big fan of the Cynch service as well. Totally worth the extra couple bucks to not have to schlep an empty tank to a store and wait while someone is summoned to do your exchange and all that...

[Michael_in_TX]

Agreed. They could not make it more seamless.

[johnec00]

+1

[Panhead John]

Michael, my gas recommendation would be in case of a hurricane heading our way. With today’s technology we are usually given a few days notice before it makes landfall. When a hurricane hits…..it’s when, not if, your lights are going to go out. I would get some gas just ahead of time, in that situation, to have as a reliable backup/secondary source of fuel. When Beryl hit Houston last year, I had no power for 6 days! A single propane tank ain’t gonna cut it. You should consider having 2 propane tanks on hand so when one runs out, you can take the empty for a swap out……if that’s going to be your only source of fuel for the generator. Again, these recommendations are for when you know you’ll probably not have power for a while due to an approaching hurricane. And….always have a good bottle of gas stabilizer on hand. I would always shut off the gas to the mower or generator and let it continue to run till all the gas was out of the fuel lines…..when I was done and before putting it back in the shed.

Star Brite Star Tron Fuel Treatment

I’ve used this stuff before and it works great, you should use it even if you use ethanol free gas. It works wonders at extending the shelf life of your gas. When I was mowing Mom’s grass before we sold her house, I used this Star-Tron for years. Sometimes I’d mow/weed eat using 2 year old gas, with no problems. I don’t recommend using 2 year old gas, but it worked out for me.

Now, on to a gas can recommendation….🤓 I had 2 of these gas cans for many years and IMO these are the best and easiest to use. Before I bought these, I was cussin’ up a storm every time I had to use other kinds. It might sound stupid but I did a lot of research online for gas cans..😂 These are the best I’ve found. Just push the little green button when pouring, release the button and it instantly stops the gas flow. They come in different sizes, but I’d recommend a 5 gallon one and also their 1.25 gallon one to use when putting gas in the generator or your lawn mower…. whatever. I believe they’re available at Lowe’s and/or Home Depot, not sure.

[Uncle Bob]

Not much argument from me on this, except for two things. PJ did qualify the 2 y.o. gasoline usage and for some areas of the country, because of the gasoline production methods available, that is pretty uncommon. Yeah, it might happen, but if it doesn't what's the alternative? As for propane on hand my solution for my dual fuel portable generator is a 100 lb tank, 5 times the quantity most default to in these discussions. Since propane is shelf stable for a loooooonnngg time it's worth it.

[Panhead John]

A 100 lb propane tank would definitely be the best solution, but something tells me Michael ain’t gonna do that. 😂 We’ll see. 🤷♂️ I’m not recommending anyone using 2-3 year old gas, but there are stabilizers out there that can make it work. Also, the best solution would be to empty any unused gas into his vehicle after hurricane season is over. Storage problem solved.

[RichieB]

I have 2, 2.5 gallon cans as pictured. I stopped using 5 gallon years ago. 2 reasons, lugging a 5 gallon tank got old like me. And no spilling. Place the nozzle in the tank, push button until done, release button.

[Jerod Broussard]

Treat the gas with Seafoam and it will last years. I'm burning gas from 2-3 years ago.

[Panhead John]

From AI…..
Gasoline, even with a fuel additive or stabilizer, generally has a limited shelf life. While pure gasoline degrades in 3-6 months, ethanol-gasoline blends typically last 2-3 months. With the addition of a fuel stabilizer, the shelf life can be extended, with most stabilizers keeping gasoline fresh for up to 12 months, and some claiming protection for up to 24 months or more depending on the product and usage.

[Oak Smoke]

One thing I’ve learned is that a propane tank has an over pressure pop off valve. If your tank is too full and gets hot at some point it will vent propane gas to the atmosphere. If that happens to be in your garage then you’ve turned your garage into a bomb. When I have our large outdoor tanks filled we only go to 80% so as to avoid this.

[Oak Smoke]

I was on the phone with my propane guy this morning. He said they will not fill a residential tank above 70% during the summer, 80% winter.

[Uncle Bob]

Lynn, that must be above ground tanks.........yes?

[Oak Smoke]

Uncle Bob yes, I haven’t seen a buried tank since back in the old butane days in our area.

[Michael_in_TX]

Panhead John Thanks for the gas strategy recommendations. I will be picking some of that stuff up. My aim is to have gas be a tertiary fuel. I'm working on scheduling a company to do the natural gas hook up, after which propane is the primary backup fuel.

I'm going to add a propane tank to my inventory every few weeks. If a storm forms, I'll be down at Buc-ee's getting some gas as well, but not too much (have yet to figure out what that is yet).

This thing has a 5 hour break-in period (after which you change the oil). I plan to get it going well into that this week or early next week.

Yeah, I don't think I will be, literally, manhandling 100 gallon propane tanks. If a 20 lb one is 15 lbs.....

[Panhead John]

Aw hell, I totally misread your OP. 🙄 I thought you were going to use Propane as your primary fuel. I wouldn’t have rambled on so much with my comments. If you’re using NG as your fuel, which of course you should, you ain’t got nothing to worry about. You “should” have an endless supply, regardless of a hurricane. My bad.

P.S. Please don’t make me look up tertiary again. Nobody says that here. 😂

[WI Bubba]

If you get 20 gallons of gas and end up not needing it, then just put it in your car. That's what I do with lawn mower / snow blower gas that doesn't get used promptly.

Also, a small engine mechanic once told to never run gas with ethanol in a small engine. They just weren't designed for that. Maybe things have changed in the 10-15 years, but I always run straight gas in my small engines. The extra cost for such a small amount of gas doesn't warrant the risk IMO.

[Michael_in_TX]

Panhead John No problem. Thankfully they don't make quad-fuel generators, else I would have said quaternary.

I'm still going to gas capability. One of my use cases is evacuating to my mom's house -- who does not have natural gas -- nor propane. Gas really might be the only option there. (Although, I may stage a propane tank or two.)