Since I don't have access to a studio and my butane torch can only do so much, I just bought a 'plumbers torch' aka a small propane can with a torch head. I want to anneal larger pieces of metal, and ball copper and larger gauge sterling wire that the butane torch doesn't have the power to do.

When looking for safety tips about propane torches online, I am seeing all kinds of posts about how dangerous propane is and you have to store it outside. I don't have an outside place to store anything, so that isn't an option.

So, for everyone that uses propane, especially the small 14oz can-Is it REALLY that dangerous?? I know alot of lampworkers use them in the house and I would think if they were that bad, they wouldn't be on a shelf in a hardware store.  But I don't want to blow my apt and my cats up, so if it is bad I'd like to know sooner than later.

 Thanks!

Barbe

AJL - I think you have answered your own question - if it were that dangerous, the store wouldn't have a whole bunch of them on the shelf.  The big cylinders have to be stored outside by law here in the UK, but if you keep it out of sunlight and direct heat, not close to  SOURCE OF HEAT SUCH AS A RADIATOR, YOU'LL BE FINE.  yOU COULD ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY, BUT AS THEY ARE ALL SHARKS, YOU MIGHT GET A NEGATIVE THERE.......

I think it's not that dangerous, but I still put mine outside when I finish soldering ... I have a deck box outside the back door and sit it in there upright. Do you even have a small patio where you could put it in a flowerpot? If not, I'd suggest this: when you finish using it for the day, turn off the gas at the top of the cylinder then (if you are using a torch with a hoze) turn on the torch at the hoze end and burn out the leftover propane. The thing to know about propane is that it is heavier than air, so if it leaks, it will pool near the floor. Probably not that dangerous if you can open a door or window but don't use it near a hot water heater with a pilot light near the floor!

Also, the plumber's torch head is only made for burning upright. Since you want your flame to go sideways or down, you might want to get a small attachment. I've used these two: Burnzomatic ST900D Mini Torch http://www.bernzomatic.com/bernzomatic/consumer/jhtml/detail.jhtml?prodId=BernzoProd100040 and this one from Otto Frie, which gets hotter and is more adjustable: http://www.ottofrei.com/store/product.php?productid=16088&cat=0&page=1

Depends on what you're doing with it!!  lol 

I use propane and I keep it in the house. I have a plumbers torch that sits on the floor - it has the nozzle it came with, I use it for annealing and sometimes soldering - I don't use a hose with it.

I use a smith little torch which has a disposable propane tank and a disposable O2 tank. It sits on the bench, has hoses, etc. I keep that inside too.

 I also have a box of extra tanks....I keep those inside, in a container, so they stay upright and don't fall over.

Plumbers drive around with them in their trucks....use them all which ways -- stores keep them on the shelves....etc.

use common sense - make sure they aren't leaking (rub a little soapy water around the connections - if it bubbles there is a problem) - don't drop them, don't store them in a bedroom. If it makes you more comfortable - keep it in the garage or outside in a plastic container or big trash can with a lid to protect it from the elements.

(oh and the BIG warnings about keeping it outside normally have to do with the big refillable tanks, not the little disposable ones)

Thanks for all your info Janice! My mind is eased now hearing from everyone on here. I am keeping the one can I  have next to the front door since its out of the way of everything. I am checking for leaks and being careful about it. I wish I had someplace outside but we are on the 4th floor, no patio, no ledge not even a fireescape, so it has to stay in here. I think if I put it in the garage someone would take it

 I got the mini torch with a hose too, but it doesn't seem like it gets any hotter than the butane. I think I will resell it and get something else.

 

 

Thanks for all your info Shawn.

I also got the Bernzomatic mini and you are right about it not getting that hot. On the Bernzomatic website they say it also works on MAPP gas too (but the package doesn't say that)so I may try it with that or just put it on ebay.

 I will check out the other Otto Frei one you mentioned. They have a store counter (7 blocks from me down at Revere Academya) so I can go there and pick one up.