Fall Festival Propane

The next time you enjoy a basket of Pronto Pups or a funnel cake at the West Side Nut Club’s annual Fall Festival, you can rest assured that Lin-Gas helped to keep your taste buds happy. Lin-Gas employees put in long hours to assure that the festival never runs out of the propane that powers grills and fryers all along the length of Franklin Street.

Before the festival opens for the day, a Lin-Gas driver arrives with fresh tanks for delivery.

Lin-Gas Team Member on back of truck

Taking a fresh tank off the delivery truck.

 

Getting a Fresh Propane Tank off the truck

Installing a fresh tank.

 

Delivery a fresh tank

Customer signing for the delivery of propane tanks.

 

Lin-Gas Team member help customer with tank

Reviewing usage procedures with customer.

 

Returning used tanks to the truck.

Returning used tanks to the truck.

 

 

Lin-Gas truck, full of empty tanks, ready to leave.

 

Returning to refill tanks

Meanwhile, our driver has returned to the Lin-Gas warehouse with empties for refilling.

 

The Lin-Gas Warehare

The Lin-Gas warehouse.

Pickup, replace, refill, repeat

With the incredible number of visitors to the Fall Festival booths each day, we must repeat this process starting at 6am every morning during the event. Our drivers put in long hours during the week of the festival, true, but they also get the opportunity to try a variety of the amazing food available.

Numerous churches and other civic and charitable organizations rely on suppliers like Lin-Gas to help the festival run smoothly. We try to go above and beyond to assure that each booth requiring propane is properly supplied and safely connected for the day’s cooking demands. As a multi-generational local company, Lin-Gas is honored to assist the community’s charitable organizations in this way.

Every October, Evansville’s west side is transformed into a festival food-lovers paradise as Franklin Street welcomes the annual West Side Nut Club Fall Festival. As a major fundraising activity for numerous churches, civic organizations, and charities in the Tri-State area, the Fall Festival boasts over 126 food booths along the four-block Festival grounds.

Since the founding of the West Side Nut Club in 1921, members of the Nut Club have lent their time and talents to many different civic activities over the years. Perhaps the most well-known of their endeavors is the Fall Festival. The first festival took place in 1924 and has steadily grown every year to the week-long festival we all enjoy, providing the community with carnival rides, amateur talent contests, free entertainment, a parade, and of course, food. Since the beginning of the festival, over $4 million in charitable funds have been returned to the community.

The history

Lin-Gas’ commitment to the Fall Festival reaches back to the early 1990’s when we began supplying the propane for the grills and deep fryers that keep the festival running smoothly, year after year. Our involvement is an extension of the commitment that Charles Link, Sr. felt toward his native west side. As a lifelong West-Sider, Mr. Link had long supported various organizations such as churches and little league teams, and wanted to keep his support local to his friends and neighbors. Because he did business year-round with the vast majority of people supporting the Fall Festival, it was only natural for Lin-Gas to extend our support to the festival, as well.

The foods

Whether you’re looking for traditional festival food like funnel cakes or want to try the festival’s more exotic fare – brain sandwiches, anyone? – one thing you can be assured of: propane powers the vast majority of the food booths.

The propane power

Lin-Gas begins preparing for the Fall Festival well in advance of the opening day. Part of our preparations include weeks of sandblasting and repainting the tanks that will be used by the food booths. We also safety-test each tank to assure that it will perform as expected and provide the food booths with a reliable cooking source. Each morning of the festival, our drivers deliver and set up fresh propane tanks for each booth, well in advance of the festival’s opening time. For many of our drivers, this time commitment is over and above their regularly scheduled hours, and most put in overtime during the week of the festival. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that they get to enjoy the food while they’re there!

Providing the Fall Festival with propane is another way Lin-Gas keeps in touch with our roots, echoing Charles Link, Sr.’s love and commitment to his friends, neighbors, and customers from the West Side. The West Side Nut Club Fall Festival is a significant investment of time and effort for the betterment of the community, and Lin-Gas is proud to be a part of this long-standing Evansville tradition.

 

 

Enter any industrial facility or warehouse in the United States, and chances are you’ll see propane forklifts in use. In fact, more than 670,000 propane-powered forklifts are in use in industrial, manufacturing, and construction businesses all over the country. These companies understand that propane offers several distinct advantages over diesel, gasoline, and electric forklifts in the day-to-day operations of their businesses.

What advantages? Consider these:

Long running

A propane-powered forklift’s fuel cycle allows it to operate for up to eight hours between refueling.  Electric-powered forklifts, by contrast, are only able to operate between three and six hours before requiring a recharge. Diesel and gasoline-powered forklifts are at the mercy of their fuel efficiency and tank size.

Simple refueling

Refueling a propane forklift is a simple matter of replacing the cylinder, which can be done in as little as five minutes. This is particularly important for companies that operate in shifts, as cylinders can be changed out at the end of one shift or the beginning of another, minimizing downtime.

Low emissions

Propane is listed as a “green” fuel in the Clean Air Act of 1990, largely due to its clean burning and lower carbon monoxide emissions. Vehicles fueled by propane can be operated within an enclosed area such as a warehouse or factory with lower risk for exposure to carbon monoxide.

Low maintenance

Gasoline and diesel engines are subject to damaging engine deposits, which affect fuel efficiency and mechanical operation. Propane produces fewer engine deposits, resulting in engines that require less maintenance and run longer without issues.

More power

Unlike electric forklifts, propane-powered forklifts maintain consistent power regardless of the task at hand. Whether handling heavy loads or moving materials up and down inclines, propane forklifts provide 100 percent power, consistent speed, and endurance for the job at hand.

Versatile – indoors or outdoors

Many companies choose equipment based upon its versatility in a variety of operations. A propane-powered forklift can be used indoors or outdoors and can provide consistent power and speed for every use. What’s more, the fuel cylinders can be moved or stored virtually anywhere on a job site.

Safe

As a low-emission, low-combustion fuel, propane can be safely stored and transported, and changing out a fuel cylinder on a forklift is a simple matter. The tanks, fuel lines, and carburetion components of a propane forklift meet or exceed strict specifications, and in the event of an accident, built-in safety devices automatically shut off the flow of fuel.

The aspects that make propane a safe fuel source in residential applications also apply to commercial and industrial use. Many businesses across the country rely on propane forklifts to move goods and materials safely, efficiently, and economically within their work site. When compared to gasoline, diesel, and electric forklifts, propane-powered forklifts provide substantial benefits to the companies that use them in their day-to-day operations.

A number of heavy equipment manufacturers offer propane forklifts as part of their equipment lines. For a partial listing of these manufacturers, click here.

 

 

 

Have you started thinking about winter yet? It might be hard to imagine ice and snow and cold winds when it’s sunny and warm outside, but winter is on its way and with it, the potential for higher energy costs.

Fortunately, you still have plenty of time to make upgrades to your home that will help reduce your energy costs in the long run. If you’d like to add a little more cash to your pocket every month, consider these cost-effective upgrades to help to make your home more energy-efficient:

Air sealing

Doors and windows are often the largest source of air seepage in a home. Sealing around windows with caulking and adding weather stripping around doors can help eliminate these common air entry ways.

Attic insulation

Adding a layer of insulation overhead in your attic can greatly increase energy efficiency and comfort levels in the living areas of your home.

Duct sealing

Up to 30 percent of the air that is circulated through your home’s duct system is lost due to leaks, holes, or poorly connected ducts. Sealing these ducts can help your heating and cooling system operate more efficiently.

Replacement windows

New vinyl replacement windows are a vast improvement over single-pane windows. As a bonus, replacement windows are easy to clean, and easy to repair if the need arises.

Fireplace inserts

While most of us enjoy the aroma and crackle of a traditional fire in a fireplace, a propane fireplace insert is far more clean and efficient in providing warmth to a home. An insert reflects more heat into the living space, while a large portion of the heat from a wood fire escapes up the chimney.

Fluorescent lighting

Fluorescent bulbs and fixtures use less energy to provide the same light output, and last longer than regular incandescent bulbs.

Propane clothes dryers

Propane-powered clothes dryers operate more efficiently than electric dryers by drying clothes more quickly. This can save up to 20 percent in energy costs.

High-efficiency propane furnace

 

FurnanceUpgrading your existing furnace to a high-efficiency propane model can provide significant cost savings over an older-model propane furnace.

Dual-fuel systems

Depending on what part of the country you live in, a dual-fuel HVAC system can provide you with cost-effective air cooling and heating all year round.

Propane tankless water heaters

Propane Furnace

A tankless water heater occupies a smaller footprint than a traditional water heater, and because it does not need to maintain a tankful of water at a specific temperature, it costs less to operate.

While you may not see a significant cost savings immediately following these upgrades, the money you invest in them will be returned to you over a period of time through lower energy usage and utility costs. Upgrades such as the ones listed above also make your home more attractive to buyers should you decide to sell.

While some of these upgrades can be relatively simple and inexpensive do-it-yourself projects, others must be done by licensed professionals and will incur additional costs. Researching your options can help you to make these energy-efficient decisions, and only you can decide which upgrades make sense for your home and your budget.

In an era of do-it-yourself videos online and big box home improvement stores that sell just about anything you need for home repairs, many homeowners feel that nothing is off limits in a quest to save money on repairs. However, repairing or making changes to a propane system isn’t as simple as you might assume.

Consider these scenarios:

  • Homeowner A builds an addition onto his home, and needs to add this addition onto his propane heating system.
  • Homeowner B wants to convert his natural gas range to one that uses propane.
  • Homeowner C decides to convert his wood-burning fireplace to gas logs.
  • Homeowner D builds a detached garage on his property and needs to relocate his propane tank.
  • Homeowner E discovers that his tank is leaking.

Which of these homeowners needs to contact his propane company for assistance?

If you answered “all of the above” you would be correct. Each of the above scenarios are common ones, and it’s just as equally common for some homeowners to attempt to save money by doing part of all of the work themselves. An experienced do-it-yourselfer might feel comfortable with running piping for plumbing or wiring a new room, but even those with years of experience in repair and maintenance should defer to the professionals in the propane business when it comes to LP gas modifications and repairs.

Reasons NOT to Repair or Modify Your System Yourself

Regulators – A propane system is a pressurized system, and as such requires a regulator in order to deliver gas at the proper pressure for your home. Any addition or change to your system must take into consideration the regulator, since it maintains the correct (safe) pressure for gas entering the structure.

Carbon Monoxide – Improper burning of propane in appliances produces carbon monoxide. As you probably are aware, carbon monoxide can be deadly. Maintaining the proper ratio of fuel, ignition, and air is crucial to the proper use of propane, and any modifications to appliances by someone other than a professional can result in this ratio being off.

Moving a Tank – Relocating a propane tank is tricky at best. Using a forklift or other heavy equipment to move a propane tank isn’t advisable, because the liquid propane inside the tank can shift, causing damage to the lifting lugs. Because a propane tank is cylindrical, there is also the possibility of the tank rolling over, breaking off valves and fittings and allowing propane to vent into the surrounding area.

Tank Repairs – Repairs to a propane tank that is damaged can render that tank unusable. Welding on a propane tank should only be done by a tank manufacturer or by a tank fabrication and repair company. If a tank is damaged beyond repair, by law it must be replaced.

Legal Issues – There are a host of laws regulating the maintenance of propane tanks, and with good reason. Working with propane requires a thorough understanding of its properties and the equipment used to deliver gas in a variety of applications. To maintain the safety of all involved, by law all repairs and modifications to a propane system must be made by a licensed individual or by a propane supplier. If a tank or system is altered in any way by a homeowner, propane suppliers can refuse to fill or service them.

The Answer

The answer to “Can I repair or modify my gas system myself?” is a resounding NO. Your propane system is a highly specialized structure, and any alterations made to it should be done by a licensed propane supplier. This protects you, your family, and your home. It may be tempting to try and save a few dollars by doing it yourself, but in the long run it could cost you much more than you ever dreamed possible.

If you’ve never lived in a home that uses propane for heating and cooking, you may be unsure about the safety and reliability of your propane tank. Propane is among the safest energy sources available, and a first-time user can easily adapt to using propane.

If you are renting or buying a home with a propane tank already in place, follow these steps:

  1. Check your tank for contact information. This information may be found on a sticker placed on the tank.  The information may be as basic as a company name or logo or may also include information such a phone number for the company. If there is no contact information to be found, check with your landlord or the previous homeowner to find out which propane company services the tank. Keep in mind that it does make a difference whether the tank is leased or purchased.  If the tank is leased from a particular propane company, by state law you must fill that tank with propane from that supplier. A tank that has been purchased belongs to the purchaser and can be filled with propane from any supplier that you choose.
  2. Contact the propane supplier for information on contracts that may already be in place, and to establish a customer relationship with the supplier. Most propane companies maintain service records of tanks that they service, identified by their location and serial number. They also can give you information on prior usage, which can be helpful in determining if your usage falls within the normal range for your home.

That’s it. Beyond calling the supplier when you need a delivery or setting up an account with the supplier’s auto-fill and price protection programs, there is really nothing else a first-time user needs to do, except enjoy their propane system.

If you’re building a new home and will be using propane as an energy source, you have just a few more items to consider.

Buy or Lease? The decision to purchase or lease a propane tank can depend on how involved you wish to be with your propane supplier. While the up-front expense of purchasing a tank may be greater, owning your own tank means that you can switch suppliers if you choose. However, many propane suppliers will not offer to fill self-owned tanks for insurance and liability reasons. Be sure to ask potential suppliers what their policy is on filling self-owned tanks and obtain a contract from your supplier that will obligate them to supply propane in your self-owned tank during the heating season. Ownership also means that you will be responsible for maintenance and repairs, should they become necessary, and for replacing the tank if it becomes damaged or unusable. Leasing a tank from a propane supplier eliminates your responsibility for tank maintenance, but also obligates you to purchase your propane from that supplier as well as obligating the supplier to provide you with propane for the leased ta
nk. Weigh your options and choose carefully.

Siting the tank. Choosing a location for your propane tank depends on a number of factors. The location of the tank must be easily accessible for supplier trucks to fill it. This means that the path to your tank needs to be free of overhead obstacles such as low-hanging tree branches and electrical wires, as well as underground concerns such as sprinkler systems and septic system covers. A supply truck can weigh more than 10,000 pounds and is not easily maneuverable, so providing a clear path to your tank is essential. Your propane supplier can assist you in determining placement of your tank.

Common Questions

Can my propane tank explode?

It’s unlikely. Propane tanks are extremely strong and safe. Governmental requirements and industry standards dictate the thickness of tank walls as well as the safety mechanisms and protocols used for every tank. This means that your propane tank will continue to serve you – safely – regardless of hot weather, a fire, or something hitting the tank.

Can I paint my tank to make it less noticeable?

Propane tanks can and should be painted, but there are regulations regarding color. In general, only light, reflective colors should be used – typically, silver, white, or light gray. Your propane supplier can offer guidance on painting your tank.

Can I landscape around my tank?

While it’s understandable that a homeowner would want his propane tank to blend in with the home’s surroundings, you must be cautious about placing fencing, shrubbery, or other decorative elements around your tank. Again, your propane supplier can offer you guidance on this issue.

How can I tell if I have a leak?

Propane is an odorless, colorless gas, and because of this, propane manufacturers add ethyl mercaptan, an odorous gas, to help human noses detect leaks. The smell of this additive has been likened to rotten eggs or cooked cabbage. You’ll know it if you smell it, so if you do, contact your propane supplier. They can test your system to determine if you have a leak.

A homeowner’s or renter’s first experience with propane may feel uncertain at first, but propane is among the safest and cleanest fuels available as an energy source today. If you have any questions about your propane system, contact your supplier. Propane suppliers believe in their product and their industry, and will happily answer any question you may have.

Large or small, a propane tank can sometimes be an obvious addition to a home’s landscape. It’s only natural that a homeowner would want his landscape to be attractive, and a propane tank can seem quite an obstacle in this instance.

Because of this, one question we frequently field is “can I paint my propane tank?”

The short answer is YES, you can paint your propane tank. It’s important to remember, however, that you can’t paint it just any color, nor can you use just any paint.

What colors?

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has set standards for the color of propane tanks. At the most basic, these standards state that tanks should be painted a light, reflective color. In fact, there are several restrictions on the color and type of paint that should be used. Not only does the NFPA set standards, there are also federal and state laws (the latter of which depend on where you live) that also figure into safety and serviceability of your propane tank. Common colors used for propane tanks include silver, white, and light gray. Other light colors such as beige or pastel colors may also be acceptable; contact your propane supplier for guidance on this issue.

Why?

Think back to science class. You likely learned that dark colors absorb heat, while lighter colors reflect it. As a compressed gas, propane is affected by expansion and contraction based on temperature. A dark-colored tank surface absorbs heat and causes expansion of the gas, the pressure of which can lead to the safety valve on your tank opening, causing gas to escape. Another issue is the combustibility of propane; exposing the contents of a propane tank to high temperatures through the absorption of heat due to a dark paint color can create a significant risk for combustion.

What type of paint should I use?

Only paint designed specifically for metal surfaces should be used to paint your propane tank. This paint includes a rust inhibitor, which is important for the structural integrity of your tank. Keeping your tank rust-free or arresting the development of rust on your tank will go a long way toward the safety and longevity of your tank.

What if my tank has rust?

Rust on a propane tank should be addressed before you paint. Rust is a dark color and will contribute to the absorption of heat, as well as lead to pitting of the tank’s surface, which can damage the structural integrity of the tank. Rust should be removed with a wire brush or sandpaper before painting. An excessively rusted tank may need to be replaced – consult your propane supplier if you have any question about what constitutes too much rust.

What if I want to do more than paint my tank?

There are other methods to help your propane tank blend in with your landscape, but you should discuss these with your propane supplier before you use them. Decorative fencing, landscape shrubbery, trellis structures, and designs painted on your tank may have an effect on tank safety and the ability of your supplier to service your tank. Safety is of utmost importance, and your supplier can help to guide you in making your tank both safe and attractive in its environment.

Want some help with your propane? We have locations in Henderson, Bicknell, Livermore, and more!

If there is anything a harsher-than-normal winter teaches us, it’s that you don’t want to be caught running low on propane. An extended period of cold weather, combined with supply issues, made the winter of 2013-14 uncomfortable for some propane users, particularly when faced with premium pricing toward the end of the season, and the promise of spring’s warmer days nowhere in sight.

While it might be tempting to just breathe a sigh of relief that warmer weather is finally here, and push concerns about propane supplies (and costs) aside until fall, Lin-Gas would like for you to consider an alternative to riding out another long, cold winter season: our EZ Pay program.

EZ Pay options are just what the name suggests: you set up a contract with Lin-Gas to have propane delivered to your home at set intervals, and you pay each month. We keep track of your usage, and our auto-fill program assures you will have enough propane, even if cold weather lasts longer than anticipated. Your monthly cost can be the same each month, depending on which price protection program you select, eliminating the need to shift funds from another area of your household budget to cover any overage.

Who is eligible?

Current customers of Lin-Gas who have been with our company for one year or longer are eligible to participate in this program. We extend the EZ Pay program to customers with approved credit, and you must have a 500-gallon or larger tank. You must agree to and sign the current Lin-Gas Bulk Propane System Lease and commit to being an auto-fill customer during the term of your payment program.

Three Levels of EZ Pay

  1. EZ Pay Silver

This is our basic level program. Lin-Gas examines your propane usage from June 1 of the previous year to May 31 of the current year, dividing the total gallons used by 11. This figure is then multiplied by a fixed rate to derive your monthly payment amount. You pay this amount each month for 11 months, and in the twelfth month of your contract, we settle up the difference. Depending on your usage for the contract year and fluctuations in price during the year, this could mean an additional cost during the twelfth month or a credit applied to your account. The program then renews for another 12-month period, with pricing based on your current usage and the established rate for the coming year. You must pay your budget amount in full by the fifteenth of each month to remain in good standing with the program.

  1. EZ Pay Gold

The maximum price for Gold level participants will be $2.29 per gallon (cap price) for gallons delivered. This rate will expire May 30, 2015 and the maximum price will change annually. If the price of propane posted by Lin-Gas for our Net B price falls below the cap price, at the time of delivery to you, then your cost for that delivery will reflect the lower price. We will calculate your monthly payment amount based on the previous 12 months of usage and then divide that by 11 to determine your cost. The final month of the contract will be used to settle the difference, if any. To use EZ Pay Gold, you must agree to receive invoices and statements electronically by email, make all payments electronically by credit card or ACH (automatic monthly withdrawal), and pay an annual fee of $10.

  1. EZ Pay Platinum

Participants in our EZ Pay Platinum level program benefit from a fixed rate of $1.99 per gallon, delivered, without change. Again, we calculate your monthly payment based on 12 months usage, divided by 11. The Platinum rate is not subject to pricing fluctuations. You pay the fixed amount each month, and this monthly payment will not change provided that you do not use in excess of 100% of your base period gallons. All usage above 110% will be priced at our Net B rate. Like our Gold program, participants in our Platinum program must agree to receive invoices and statements electronically by email, make all payments electronically by credit card or ACH (automatic monthly withdrawal), and pay an annual fee of $10.

Act Now to Lock in Your Rate

The time to sign up for EZ Pay is now! Calculations based on gallons used for a 12 month period should be made by June 30. We cannot guarantee the pricing set forth above after that date, and our program begins and renews on July 1 each year. More information on our EZ Pay program, including forms to download and complete, will be available online soon.

Don’t let another winter go by without establishing a budgeted amount for your propane usage. EZ Pay assures you’ll have a fixed cost each month and allows you to stay warm and comfortable, no matter how long winter may last.

If you’d like to talk further with a Lin-Gas representative about the program, we’re here to help.

For some homeowners, the decision to buy or rent a propane tank can be a difficult one. Depending on your situation, either option could make sense for your needs. It pays to examine the particulars and benefits of both options.

If You Rent:

Many propane companies have basic usage requirements for homes that rent propane tanks. In addition to a minimum annual propane usage, a supplier may require that a certain number of appliances be propane-powered or that the total BTU load is at or above a certain usage level. Because the tank is leased, all propane must be purchased from the company that owns the tank, and buying gas from another company will likely result in lease termination. Also, most tank leases require scheduled delivery, which eliminates the need for the homeowner to monitor the tank level and call for a delivery before the tank is low. Some propane suppliers offer a discount for customers with automatic filling, which can take some of the sting out of comparing propane prices among competitors.

One advantage to tank rental is that the tank is owned by the propane company, meaning they assume responsibility for all maintenance and/or repairs.  However, this applies to the tank itself only; all piping, fittings, parts, and connections are generally the responsibility of the customer to purchase, and may incur a service fee for any repairs needed.

If You Buy:

Purchasing a propane tank eliminates usage requirements and allows the homeowner to purchase his gas from any supplier he chooses. This freedom of choice allows the homeowner to buy propane based on price and at a schedule that suits their needs. That said, most companies will not sell and install a tank without initially filling it with propane; refilling the tank when the time comes will be at the discretion of the owner.

Companies that sell tanks will not sell a tank to an individual or unlicensed entity for installation; only the company selling the tank or a certified, licensed individual can install and connect a tank. The purchase of a tank generally includes all the piping, regulators, parts, and connections affiliated with it, and any warranty, parts, or labor can be negotiated and calculated into the purchase price.  Financing is often available with approved credit and generally structured with a one-year term.

One bonus that comes with buying your tank over renting it: if you decide to sell your home, the next owner isn’t burdened with acquiring a tank because the tank is part of the sale. This can be attractive to potential buyers.

Making the Decision

Ultimately, buying or leasing a tank will depend upon your anticipated usage of the equipment and your budget. It makes sense to sit down and compare the costs of these two options and align them with your household needs. Your propane supplier can answer any questions you may have about usage and will work with you to develop a plan that best fits your requirements.

Now that warmer weather has arrived, chances are you’ve caught the smell of burgers on the grill wafting through your neighborhood. One of the positives of the weather in the Midwest is that for the better part of three seasons, we can grill out. Nothing tastes quite as delicious as burgers, hot dogs, and steaks on the grill.

While you may be familiar with the use of propane for grilling, it’s also possible to use propane for cooking year-round. Many households use propane as a primary source for heating and cooking – over 12 million of them in the United States alone. Propane is used to provide the energy needed to operate furnaces, heat water, and fuel appliances such as stoves.

Why Propane?

  • Even heating

The advantages of cooking with propane in the home are many. Gas provides a more even heat across the bottom of pans and within the oven, and gas burners can more easily accommodate pans with dented or warped bottoms. What’s more, gas burners respond instantly with heat, while electric elements require time to heat to the required temperature.

  • Lower cost

Operating costs for cooking with propane are more economical over electricity, as well. On average, cooking with propane is half the cost of cooking with electricity, and pilotless ignitions on propane stoves save up to 40% overall in energy usage by eliminating the need for a constant pilot light.

  • Variety of tools

Propane appliances are available in many different forms, including convection ovens, griddles, grill tops, and deep fryers. Perhaps best of all, propane appliances with non-electronic ignition sources (aka constant pilot lights) are unaffected by power outages, meaning during an extreme weather event, it’s still possible to have a hot meal.

Don’t forget the grill

Still, the most popular use of propane for cooking is the home barbecue grill, which is usually powered by the little white 20-pound propane tanks so readily available at many retail locations. Because of propane’s ease of portability, a propane-powered gas grill can be used at home, while camping, and even for tailgating – anywhere you can take your grill. Cylinder exchange programs can be found virtually everywhere, allowing consumers to swap empty tanks for filled ones as needed.

Perhaps the least-known but most appreciated use of propane for cooking is at the many street festivals in the area. Lin-Gas provides propane for the venerable West Side Nut Club Fall Festival in Evansville, IN every year. If you’ve had an elephant ear or brain sandwich, you’ve enjoyed one of the biggest benefits that propane-powered cooking can offer. We’ll tell you a bit more about our role as a supplier to the Fall Festival in a future blog as the date gets closer. Until then, you’ll have be content with dreaming about that tasty brain sandwich until festival time arrives again.