Frozen propane

[CorneliusAlphonse]

I was brewing last night outside, using propane. The tank was about 1/3 full. About half an hour into the boil, I noticed it wasn't nearly as much of a rolling boil, and five minutes later it wasn't boiling at all. I switched to a different (full) propane tank, and it got right up to boil temp again. The first tank was covered in ice, and the propane inside seemed to be frozen.

anyone ever have this issue? it was only one of several with last nights batch. also accidentally oversparged, had an extra 1.5 gallons - i took it inside and boiled it down to 0.5 gallons on the stove so that I would hit my OG. it was already a malty brew so hopefully the flavour won't be trashed at all

[akr71]

I've had difficulty when the temp gets around -10 and lower and the tank is 1/3 or less full. If I notice the flame sputtering, I give the tank a good shake and it roars back to life.

[KMcK]

I did a a Halloween brew last night too. I left the treats on the front porch so the kids could serve themselves. I have priorities.

The tank did become frosty on the outside, but that was just frozen water vapour condensation. The freezing point of propane is -187°.

[Curtis_E_Bare]

The propane won't freeze but in cold weather (combined with the Joule–Thomson effect) the vapour pressure will be significantly lowered resulting in less gas flow.

[John G]

I don't recommend this but you can nudge the tank a little closer to the burner to get more life out of it in the cold.

[Tony L]

It isn't that cold over there is it?

You are probably running the gas through a bit fast... that would cause the tank to ice over faster.
You could also try putting the tank in a bucket of hot water to aid with the flow rate.

[CorneliusAlphonse]

It isn't that cold over there is it?

You are probably running the gas through a bit fast... that would cause the tank to ice over faster.
You could also try putting the tank in a bucket of hot water to aid with the flow rate.

yeah, I had to run it through pretty fast. It was -2 and very windy, I was brewing in a pretty exposed spot.