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I have a number of single use gas cylinders I need to get rid of. Ideally I could pass them on to someone who will use them, but that’s not practicable right now. I’ve seen a gadget on Amazon ( JetBoil Crunchit) to vent the cylinder and puncture it. I suppose it’s better to actually burn the gas rather than just vent it, though that has its own risks. Can I then put the cylinder in the recycling metal bin? Or will shops accept them back for recycling?
You can get a transfer valve to move the remaining gas to another canister and then crush it with the tool you suggest.
https://bikepacking.com/gear/flipfuel-review-fuel-transfer-device/
I pierce mine with a hammer and screwdriver then put an axe through them. Then into normal recycling.
Very difficult to axe if you haven't pierced first
I always make sure they are sufficiently mashed open that they obviously can't contain gas
Edit just realized you are talking about non empty cans. Ignore me
Double post
I just burn off all the gas, no point venting it as it can be dangerous, especially indoors/enclosed spaces.
Then once its fully empty drill a couple of big holes in it and crush it with a lump hammer.
If you have any very smaller canisters, you can use one of those flipfuel devices to transfer gas from a more full one, can get a few more uses out it them that way.
Edit: what everyone else already said, I'm a slow typer 😂
Ideally I could pass them on to someone who will use them
Well it is bonfire season…
Thanks all. This place beats ChatGPT 😂
Local tip /recycling center?
Local tip /recycling center?
Do they accept them half full ?
Burning the gas has a lesser greenhouse gas effect than releasing the gas to atmosphere so ideally use it but otherwise burn it off. You can then pierce the cylinder (screwdriver and hammer works) and put them in domestic recycling.
If you can use the gas by using your camping stove instead of the household kettle to boil water for drinks and you'll soon empty them and at least not totally waste the gas , heat and emissions by producing something useful (tea and coffee count as useful to me).
perhaps a stupid question, but why not use them?
even if just at home, to reheat beans or get a pan of water started.
Then once its fully empty drill a couple of big holes in it
Don't do this.
If there is any residual gas then it will be ignited by the sparks from your drill motor and you end up with a fireball around your hands. Happened to a colleague of mine who was adamant all the gas was out.
Use as much of the gas as you sensibly can, then take them to a recycling centre.
I use the nearly empty ones when van camping for simmering porridge and suchlike, uses up the last of the gas, and the more full ones for taking away with me/when I need a decent flame.
Then into the recycling when actually empty.
Pretty much what slowol said
If there is any residual gas then it will be ignited by the sparks from your drill motor and you end up with a fireball around your hands. Happened to a colleague of mine who was adamant all the gas was out.
Has never happened to me so far, but good advice, thanks! I also have an old wooden hand drill so will use that in future to be on the safe side 👍
You can get a transfer valve to move the remaining gas to another canister and then crush it with the tool you suggest.
https://bikepacking.com/gear/flipfuel-review-fuel-transfer-device/
I would emphasis the need to ensure the minimum ullage is maintained in the canister being filled, otherwise you've an enhanced explosion hazard.
Local tip /recycling center?
Do they accept them half full ?
Probably... Ask them?
My local one has a cage full of all sorts of gas bottles away from the main skips.
That would be my first port of call for advice.
If they won't take it I'm sure they can advise what to do with it.
I have a stick with a nail through it to whack them with, then recycling
I have the crunchit tool from back when I was disposing of lots of empty cannisters from a DofE group. It's nicer to use than a hammer/screwdriver but probably not worth the expense unless you're doing loads at once.
As noted above about the refill valves, you have to be really careful not to overfill the cannister. I was pretty careful when I used to use one* and still had a few worrying flares when lighting the stoves.
*Not on the DofE stoves I should add.
You can get a transfer valve to move the remaining gas to another canister and then crush it with the tool you
Know you cool one can and warm the other but how easy is it to get the remaining gas from a nearly empty canister to one that has more in it?
What do people do with empty canisters mid trip? Recycling bin, normal bin, keep hold of them (difficult on a longer trip when you pick up a new can)?
Know you cool one can and warm the other but how easy is it to get the remaining gas from a nearly empty canister to one that has more in it
The aim is to recover the liquid from the nearly empty cartridge but still leave enough ullage in the fuller cartridge. The gas pressures will be very similar in both and they will simply equalise when connected. There is not much else you can do.
There is some over thinking going on here. I doubt you puncture open an empty aerosol of deodorant or hair spray, yet must use butane as propellant i believe. If it's empty small disposable cans just go in domestic recycling.
Mid trip, my cans go in a bin or re-cycling where available. I have CV 470's or the small aerosol type cannisters. Tins with low gas go on water boiling duty rather than cooking. No issue TBH.
What do people do with empty canisters mid trip? Recycling bin, normal bin, keep hold of them (difficult on a longer trip when you pick up a new can)?
Not take a stupid system that relies on canisters?
What do people do with empty canisters mid trip? Recycling bin, normal bin, keep hold of them (difficult on a longer trip when you pick up a new can)?
I carry a refiller gadget and refill small cans from a larger one which then goes in ordinary bin or recycling bin when properly emptry
What do people do with empty canisters mid trip? Recycling bin, normal bin, keep hold of them (difficult on a longer trip when you pick up a new can)?
Not take a stupid system that relies on canisters?
Over the years I have used multiple systems using multiple fuel types - gas can are my preferred option - what do you use?
What do people do with empty canisters mid trip? Recycling bin, normal bin, keep hold of them (difficult on a longer trip when you pick up a new can)?
Not take a stupid system that relies on canisters?
Over the years I have used multiple systems using multiple fuel types - gas can are my preferred option - what do you use?
For years I have used meths stoves, usually a Trangia Triangle for lightweight stuff. On a few recent trips I have used gas for a few reasons; one of which is fire risk in Spain and also UK hillsides in dry summer. I never used to worry about that aspect but with more emphasis being placed on preventing wildfires it has made me consider the risks. I think it is true that liquid fuel presents a higher risk and is even banned or advised against in some locations.
I prefer carrying fuel in a bottle but the gas stove has worked well and I am now quite happy using it, although the gas canister aspect still annoys me a bit.
Don’t mix up the canisters that are being recycled with waste that is being incinerated
Embed a 1.5m length of cast iron drain pipe into a bonfire, drop the canister in the top and bingo! A home made mortar!
NB try not to hit the roof of the rural science teachers car, in my experience she won't be very pleased
No Rural Science GCSE, in darkest Cumbria its the class the farmers and the sort of idiots that make mortars from old drain pipes do.