Butane Explosions: Can It Happen Outside?

hi guys, i'm still experimenting with solvents and concentrates and i know that butane is probably the king of all extraction methods being that it's affordable and easy to do. however, it's also easy to cause explosions or fire hazards as well when using butane. so my question is, if i were to go in my backyard and do a butane run to make some concentrates, what are the chances of something exploding into a fiery mess? should i do it late night when no ones out? what if my next door neighbor is barbequeing? what if my neighbors are smoking cigarettes outside in their backyard? could these small things cause an explosion? never done this before since i want to avoid prison time but yea, i do prefer bho in general. for now i'll stick with hash but if i could figure a way to make it fool proof with a sure chance of no explosions, i'd like to know what factors can cause explosions if any. also if you've experienced a butane explosion outside (not inside because this is what usually causes explosions), please feel free to share your story. pros? cons? better alternatives? thanks in advance for any advice.

Outside is safe mate. Unless you are going to open up a huge industrial canister and just let it all out, OR choose a day with absolutely no wind and you have a smoke in your lips, there will be no problem. More of a problem with neighbours close by is the weird hissing noise when you make it. One peek over the fence and they just KNOW you are up to something.

it will ignite if the fuel air mixture is within the correct range, the temperature is over it's flash point, and there is any kind of spark- static, flame, whatever. Personally, I would make sure there is at least some breeze, and there is no ignition source nearby, including neighbors who might do something stupid. If they're 20-30 feet away and there's a breeze I would think it's probably pretty safe, but why take any chances.

you will be fine in your back yard...
its when it is inclosed when it messes stuff up because the butane when it ignites it expands very rapidly so what is happening is the air is being pushed which causes windows walls and doors to be blown off...
if your outside even without a breeze it would be very hard to blow yourself up.....

sweet advice guys. i may try this but though i might i will still be weary until i complete a run. honestly though the thought of making wax every 2 weeks makes me wonder if its just a matter of time before i miss a small detail and explode myself (i consider myself smart but stupid at the same time haha). good info for anyone wondering about explosions and stuff that can happen if you're not careful. admit i do have to give props to those out there making this stuff regularly for being consistent and safe (if thats you).

Safety is a major concern of mine as well; have way too much to lose getting caught or starting a fire. For any method of spraying butane to be fool proof requires some common sense precautions. You should be able to easily mitigate the chances of an explosion or fire from occurring to almost nil by simply using your head. When you spray butane just make sure there is no flame source or spark nearby & always do it outside. It's better to have everything ready to go before you start so that the spraying process is quick and stealthy...I try to be done in an hour or so including initial hot water purge: blasting 1-2 tubes takes approx 15 mins & at least 45 mins purging in hot water bath. I usually do it just after dusk & try to make my neighbors think I'm doing something else...like get some sawhorses or something & clamp together boards so it looks like you are doing a home project...then spray your column of butane into a dish on the down low, yo. Unless your neighbors live right on top of you their cigs or BBQ grill shouldn't cause a problem if you just use common sense. I finish purging indoors after most of the butane has dissipated.

There was a thread a year or so ago here about a guy who has an outdoor explosion due to a static charge or something. He was ok, but its not 100% safe.

(hopefully i'm not breaking any rules by adding the following links.)


i'm wondering if this would make the process easier:

http://www.liquidizer.com/liquidizer-herbal-extractor.html

Demonstration Video: http://www.liquidizer.com/video or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoC1EfFeOzM

Easy to use, though pricey, but if it makes it safer then it would be a good tool to have in any oil/wax makers arsenal

vaportechnician said:

(hopefully i'm not breaking any rules by adding the following links.)


i'm wondering if this would make the process easier:

http://www.liquidizer.com/liquidizer-herbal-extractor.html

Demonstration Video: http://www.liquidizer.com/video or http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoC1EfFeOzM

Easy to use, though pricey, but if it makes it safer then it would be a good tool to have in any oil/wax makers arsenal

Click to expand...

200$ +shipping for a C-clamp and a beaker ........................

Lol was thinking the same thing
Make it yourself...harbor freight is cool for stuff like that.. probly under$50

I have been doing BHO extraction outdoors, and was waiting for the fall and cold weather. I got to run a batch at 20°F, with materials and equipment having spent the night in a freezer. Doing it below freezing is safer as the evaporation is slow, plus it allows soak time in liquid butane at atmospheric pressure. I'm hoping to get my outdoor crop processed over the winter, so there is no need to do so during warm weather.