On Playa Propane?

hammer · Post by **hammer** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:15 pm

I'm the fuels and firemaster of the Darwin Fish Tank, and last year I heard that there were propane refills available on-playa. Does anyone know if this is happening in 2011, and who I can contact for more information? We'd rather not increase our propane storage capacity if we can avoid it, and we have awesome things planned this year with ambient fire on top of our 20' high observation deck, in addition to the flame cannon we know and love from last year.

Cheers,

hammer

goathead · Post by **goathead** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:27 pm

Contact Granite Propane in Gerlach see if they are servicing on playa.

Good Luck

hammer · Post by **hammer** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:32 pm

I just called Gerlach Propane, and apparently they service a propane truck that is run by Burningman Inc., but besides that they only sell from their office (great prices too, only $3ish per gallon). Anyone know who at Burningman Inc. is the contact to find out more?

Post by **Savannah** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:38 pm

I imagine this piece of news might pop up in a Jack Rabbit Speaks email newsletter, or in the 2011 Survival Guide when it's available. The 2010 guide has nothing about Gerlach Propane (I just checked).

Hmm . . .

goathead · Post by **goathead** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:40 pm

Call the BM office in Gerlach, Sheri should be able to help put you in contact with who you need. Or even Granite again, they should have a name for you to contact.

hammer · Post by **hammer** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:42 pm

Savannah wrote:I imagine this piece of news might pop up in a Jack Rabbit Speaks email newsletter, or in the 2011 Survival Guide when it's available. The 2010 guide has nothing about Gerlach Propane (I just checked).

Hmm . . .

I actually wouldn't expect it to be in the JRS, to keep demand low and encourage self sufficiency. They definitely don't want 1000's of folks with their 20# grill tanks lining up to get filled. It's more for art projects/theme camps, from what I understand. Worst case, I'll make a run out to Gerlach midweek.

Post by **Savannah** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 2:45 pm

I actually wouldn't expect it to be in the JRS, to keep demand low and encourage self sufficiency. They definitely don't want 1000's of folks with their 20# grill tanks lining up to get filled. It's more for art projects/theme camps, from what I understand. Worst case, I'll make a run out to Gerlach midweek.

That makes sense. It would get pretty ridiculous if it were completely public. Selling coffee is civilizing, and ice humane, but I like the simplicity of just those few things.

oneeyeddick · Post by **oneeyeddick** » Thu Jun 23, 2011 5:07 pm

The propane at BM is mostly for infrastructure and LARGE art installations that require a daily refill.

pinemom · Post by **pinemom** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 7:46 am

And...if your on that level your also Registered with The Bmorg, Approvced, then able to get on that propane list.
or not!

Dustdevil · Post by **Dustdevil** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 8:23 am

OED is correct. Propane refill on the Playa is for Installations that use large amounts of propane. They define large as 300 gallons per day. It is also for Honorarium projects as well. The infrastructure, such as the commissary, get filled as well. Anything short of that needs to be radically self reliant.
Two propane trucks spend the better part of each day filling large installations. The time it would take to stop and fill dozens of small tanks would be prohibitive.

Foxfur · Post by **Foxfur** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 9:56 am

I'm with hammer on this one. Besides, making a run into Gerlach means fresh produce, slabs of fresh meat, and ice cream goodness to share.
I'm thinking of hauling my five tanks to get filled along with as many others from campmates/neighbors that I can fit.
Sweetpea asked, "What if you collide with some drunk driver on the highway?"
First, it will be absolutely spectacular! It'd be an honorable and artistic exit.
Plus there would be no next time for the drunk.
Entertainment of others and enforcement of the social contract are duties I take VERY seriously.

Ff

Sic Pup · Post by **Sic Pup** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 10:22 am

Foxfur wrote: Besides, making a run into Gerlach means fresh produce, slabs of fresh meat, and ice cream goodness to share.

I'm guessing....... you haven't been, have you?

Foxfur · Post by **Foxfur** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 10:43 am

Sic Pup wrote:
Foxfur wrote: Besides, making a run into Gerlach means fresh produce, slabs of fresh meat, and ice cream goodness to share.
I'm guessing....... you haven't been, have you?

Indeed I have not. It just sounded better than canned okra, devilled ham, and boiled ice cream

Fooling myself is the winnable part of the battle!

FIGJAM · Post by **FIGJAM** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 10:46 am

Eat at Bruno's!

Snow · Post by **Snow** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 1:39 pm

You won't be getting ANYTHING on the playa except ice and your turds hauled away. Yes there are propane fills for LARGE art projects and the BMORG. If you are one of these, you'd already know the answer.

FF don't plan on running into geralch for ANYTHING. What kind of propane tanks are you talking? There are DOT and BM rules covering both of these.

Foxfur · Post by **Foxfur** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 2:18 pm

Snow wrote:You won't be getting ANYTHING on the playa except ice and your turds hauled away. Yes there are propane fills for LARGE art projects and the BMORG. If you are one of these, you'd already know the answer.

FF don't plan on running into geralch for ANYTHING. What kind of propane tanks are you talking? There are DOT and BM rules covering both of these.

These, unlike some of my other stuff, are totally legitimate DOT bottles, 20 and 40 pounders.
I'm probably not going to run to town. I'll ration my propane and canned pork chunks are *bitchin* traditional middle eastern grill kebabs

. Riiight...

Dustdevil · Post by **Dustdevil** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 2:28 pm

Actually there is nothing wrong with going into Gerlach and refilling your bottles. I would suggest contacting the vendor first to confirm what times they will be open. If you were to fill bottles for another project, you could split the Gate exit/entry fee. Please make certain to secure the bottles and use a truck. A van or passenger car really isn't a good idea.

Snow · Post by **Snow** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 2:39 pm

There is nothing wrong with going to Gerlach for propane (or gas for your art car), I was speaking more about fresh meat and veggies. But still who wants to go and deal with the outside world and the gate (and pay $20).

You're golden with 20# and 40# BBQ tanks for DOT and BM

Foxfur · Post by **Foxfur** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 2:51 pm

Now you have me curious. Have you seen people with anything other than DOT tanks? THAT would be insane IMHO. Unless it was part of an installation as an end of fuel chain component. Even then...

HandJamMasterC · Post by **HandJamMasterC** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 3:54 pm

I'll ration my propane and canned pork chunks are *bitchin* traditional middle eastern grill kebabs

Forget about the propane, you obviously need to bring more and bigger ice chests filled with fresh food !!

Snow · Post by **Snow** » Fri Jun 24, 2011 4:25 pm

not the tanks themselves. I'm talking about the rules of the road, I ain't saying nothing beyond that.

Last year our project used a pressure vessel we made and had certified prior to bringing it to the playa, not by DOT though. It can be done but its a PITA.

Dustdevil · Post by **Dustdevil** » Sat Jun 25, 2011 12:41 am

Foxfur wrote:Now you have me curious. Have you seen people with anything other than DOT tanks? THAT would be insane IMHO. Unless it was part of an installation as an end of fuel chain component. Even then...

What would be insane about using a non DOT tank? There are hundreds of thousands of propane tanks in use every day that are not DOT tanks. A DOT tank must be recertified after it is 12 years old and again every five years after that. The non DOT tanks do not have that requirement.