Propane splitting - operating 3 camp stoves from 1 big tank

[duder9000]

Hi there!

Our modest kitchen uses 3 double-burner camp stoves. Instead of buying a ton of the mini camping propane cylinders, we'd like to set up a one tank, 3-stove system. However, I'm only finding 2-appliance propane splitters online.

I know with all the elaborate pyrotechnics out there, there must be a way to set-up a 3-appliance system that runs off of one large tank (large by MY standards, not burning man standards).

Anyone willing to guide me? Throw out some useful vocabulary? Propane DIY websites?

And even though I sound like the complete propane noob that I am, rest assured I will be safety FIRST with this one!

[theCryptofishist]

If I were a propane god, I would be very nervous about saying anything on the web. duder, dude, you may be completely safe to give this sort of information to, but when I think of all the bozos out there in eplayaland... Not pretty.
I hope you work out some sort of solution.

[CornMan]

Coleman propane distribution tree. $26-$38 online. $37.88 at WalMart.

[ygmir]

there are many products out there, and pretty cheap.
Zeke found that......you can also go to a good hardware store, or propane distributor. they will sell all sorts of fittings and hoses for your purpose.
Propane fitting for home use are just black pipe or brass (not galvanized water pipe, black pipe is made for gas).
remember, it's very low pressure, once past the regulator (approx. .5 psi), so, volume is critical. make sure your main feed line is large enough diameter.
And what Fishy said: be careful. If you're not familiar, ask for help.

[duder9000]

Excellent Zeke, great product, thank you! I think my vocab was off, since I was searching "splitters" not "distributors".

Thanks Ygmir for the tips - I will make a trip to the hardware store and do a little investigating and see if DIY or plug-n-play is a better fit.

And, yes, Ygmir and Cryptofishist I will exercise tremendous caution with any solution - I'm a nervous nelly when it comes to things like this, and won't implement anything unless I'm over-confidant (and consult a pro with my final solution).

[crstophr]

Make yourself a leak detector. Dish soap and water in a spray bottle. Once everything is hooked up open the valve on the tank and spritz every junction and fitting. If you see bubbles don't use it until you've fixed the leak.

[phil]

One other issue: do you have backup for fuel? If something non-catastrophic goes wrong with the propane container or distributor, can you still provide fuel to your camp stoves?