Dumb propane question

“OK, so it's more car camping gear. heheh...

I just got an Ozark Trails 2-burner propane grill at Wally World. I was attempting to hook it up. Now for the stupid question.

The 16.4 oz. propane cylinder appears to have a plastic cap on the top; also a hole off to the side with kind of a needle in it. Anyway, how does a person attached the coupling to the stove to it? Does it screw onto and break through that plastic top seal? (in which case, how does it reseal later... or do you need to use a canister at one time?)

Or do you (or CAN you) screw off that plastic top?

LOL! Sorry, I'm sure these are dumb questions -- and while I lighted for former propane furnace many, MANY times and lived to tell about it -- I have just never used the cylinders before.

And you guys can save me tons of time trying to Google on this subject.

LOL!! sorry I'm so dumb (and the next best thing would be to see me make bacon and eggs... AND MAYBE EVEN A HAMBURGER!!!... on the stove)

Any cooking hints also are welcome. Alas, the Pepsi can stove from Stovestomper will still be used for the backpacking portion of the trip. Just to relieve any and all concerns....... ;-)”

“liz the plastic cap just pulls off. If you want I could come over and show you some day:)”

“oops!

"... and while I lighted MY former propane furnace... "

OK, upon further speculation... do you stick the coupling on the needle thing?

I read the manual, it just isn't clear enough for me. They show the propane cylinder being used on a slant. To be quite honest, it could be hooked to either the needle area or the plastic top (you can't see the plastic top in their diagram, but maybe wouldn't be able to from their angle)

Anyway, I am thinking now that it attaches to the needle thing. That makes sense...... Doesn't it??!??!”

“HEY there Kodiak man!! Where the heck are you now???

So what is the recessed needle thingee?”

“From what you are saying, it seems that you gotta pull the cap off and screw the needle into the attachment. When you're done, unscrew it and re-seal it with the plastic cap.”

“The plastic cap is only for shipping to protect the threads on the tank. Remove the plastic cap, screw the tank onto the regulator (the needle thingy) snuggly.

Remember to disconnect the tank when not in use or the gremlins will suck the gas out of your tank. I learned that the hard way.”

“gremlins, eh?”

“It's also good to keep the plastic cap and put it back on when you disconnect the cylinder from the stove --- just to keep the valve clean. And be careful screwing it on. They can be cross-threaded pretty easily.

Just to be crystal clear... don't mess with that small valve off to the side of the cylinder. I think that's where they fill them. If you puncture that... ay carramba! <G>”

“liz im Kuwait still. All you have to do is take the plastic cap off and screw it into the end. I hate to laugh or make fun of what is going on but, it is hard not to.”

“liz I didn't know that you were a blonde:)”

“LOL! Hey, just think of me as some poor Middle East slob who has never seen/used a propane canister in my life. (oil fields YES! Propane, no. lol)

Hey, I know it's a dumb question, but WHO does a person ask when you want to know RIGHT STINKIN' NOW???

Your friends at Trailtalk, that's who.

And I'm always glad to provide a laugh..... :-) (and figured I would with this)”

“I would work on it forever till I figured it out. But hey I was crabby this morning till I read your thread. I had to laugh and now I'm in a much better mood. Thanks liz you made my day.”

“lizs - You got your answer from Kuwait...what more could you want.

Question: Have you ever published a story about TT?”

“What?? No one has any more help? What about cooking tips? (remember, I really don't cook!

Therefore, any tips are helpful. Or good recipes. (although I think I'll be limited to one-step pancakes, eggs, bacon, burgers, etc)”

“Can you boil water? There's lots of 'instant' meals in the grocery stores, you only have to add water. Hmm, can you filter water?

LOL!”

“These guys are messing with you lizs. DON'T pull the cap off, you'll ruin the tank. You need a chisel and a small sledgehammer. You'll also need an anvil or a large, flat rock. Let me know when you get everything together and I'll give you the rest.”

“ROFFLMAO.


Call the gas company to come light your furnace.”

“Wait, lizs! Before you go messing with this, can I take out a life insurance policy on you naming me as the beneficiary?”

“LMFAO!!!

Good to see such a helpful turnout of *hack*hack* friends!”

“Ok, Violin, lets you and me become secret blood brothers atop Everest on our next summit trip.

The Sherpas will carry the 2-burner propane stove up top. And when we're all on top, we'll plan to cook a good ole American meal of hot dogs. And THEN we'll try all the great suggestions you made above.

Such a sweet, thoughtful guy, that Violin. ;-)”

“ask my friend hank hill. he sells propane and propane accessories”

“ROTFLMFAO @ lizs!

Hey, what I wanna know is, can I refill those bottles? And if I do, should I use a different color dust cap? Can I paint the white ones? Who's D.O.T. anyway?”