Western Gas Recalls to Inspect Propane Gas Due To Fire and Burn Hazards

What was recalled

In late December 2017, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced a significant safety recall involving propane gas distributed by Western Gas. This action was not taken lightly, but it was necessary to address a subtle yet dangerous flaw in the product’s preparation. Specifically, the recall targets under-odorized propane (LP) gas that had been delivered directly to consumers’ storage tanks or sold at retail locations inside portable cylinders. These products were intended for use in a wide variety of everyday applications, including recreational vehicles, barbeques, outdoor stoves, and other household appliances that rely on propane as a fuel source.

The core issue lies in the chemical composition of the gas itself. Propane is naturally colorless and odorless, which makes it impossible for humans to detect by smell when it leaks. To mitigate this risk, regulators require that an odorant be added to the gas during processing so that even a small leak produces a distinct, unpleasant smell—often described as resembling rotten eggs or sulfur—that alerts occupants to danger. In this specific instance, Western Gas failed to include sufficient levels of this critical odorant in certain batches of propane. While the gas still functioned as fuel, it lacked the essential warning system that allows people to recognize a leak before it becomes catastrophic.

The scope of this recall is defined by the timing of production and distribution rather than specific model numbers or serial codes, as propane is a bulk commodity mixed in large quantities. The affected products include any under-odorized propane delivered to storage tanks or sold in portable cylinders prior to the recall date of December 28, 2017. It is important to note that this recall does not apply universally to all Western Gas products forever. Propane tanks that have already been inspected for odorant levels or those that were refilled after November 2017 are explicitly excluded from this recall, as they are presumed to meet current safety standards. If you are unsure whether your propane is part of this batch, the only way to know is through verification with the supplier or retailer, but the primary group at risk consists of consumers who purchased or received propane during the period leading up to late 2017.

This recall highlights a critical gap in consumer safety infrastructure. Without the odorant, a leaking tank or cylinder could go undetected for hours or even days, allowing gas to accumulate in enclosed spaces like garages, basements, or inside RVs. The absence of a model number makes this particularly tricky for consumers, as you cannot simply look at a label on a grill to confirm safety. Instead, the responsibility falls on the supply chain and the consumer to verify the status of their fuel source through direct contact with Western Gas or the point of sale. By understanding exactly what was recalled—propane lacking its necessary warning scent—you can take immediate steps to ensure your home and family remain safe from potential fire and burn hazards.

The hazard, explained

Propane is naturally colorless and odorless in its pure form. To make leaks detectable by human senses, manufacturers add a chemical called an odorant, which gives the gas a distinct, pungent smell often described as similar to rotten eggs or sulfur. This additive is a critical safety feature because it allows people to smell a leak long before the concentration of gas reaches dangerous levels. In this specific recall, Western Gas has identified that certain batches of propane were delivered with insufficient levels of this odorant. The physical failure here is not that the gas itself is different, but that the "warning system" embedded in the fuel was weakened or absent.

When the odorant levels are too low, a leaking tank or cylinder may release gas into your home or living space without triggering your sense of smell. This creates a silent accumulation of fuel vapor. Propane is heavier than air, meaning it tends to settle in low-lying areas such as basements, crawl spaces, or ground-floor rooms rather than rising toward the ceiling where many standard smoke detectors are placed. As the gas accumulates, it displaces oxygen and creates an invisible cloud of highly flammable vapor.

The danger escalates rapidly once this undetected cloud finds an ignition source. Common household items that spark easily include electrical switches, light bulbs turning on or off, refrigerator compressors kicking in, pilot lights on water heaters or ovens, and even static electricity from walking across a carpet. Because the leak is not signaled by smell, consumers may continue their normal activities—cooking, cleaning, or sleeping—unaware that they are surrounded by fuel ready to ignite. If an ignition source contacts the vapor cloud, it can result in a flash fire or a more severe explosion. These events cause immediate thermal burns to anyone nearby and can lead to catastrophic structural damage to the home.

It is important to understand that this hazard is particularly insidious because it relies on sensory failure. In a typical gas leak scenario, you would smell the odorant, open windows, turn off the gas source, and evacuate. With under-odorized propane, that first warning step is missing. You might only notice secondary signs, such as difficulty lighting appliances, flames that burn yellow or sooty instead of blue, or unexpectedly high usage rates on your meter. By the time these physical symptoms are noticed, a significant amount of gas may have already leaked into the environment, increasing the risk of ignition before you even realize something is wrong.

The CPSC’s classification of this issue as a fire and burn hazard highlights the severity of the potential outcome. While no incidents have been reported to date with these specific batches, the mechanism of injury is well-documented in general safety literature. A sudden ignition can cause severe third-degree burns, respiratory damage from inhaling hot gases, and traumatic injuries from blast waves. The lack of a smell means you lose valuable seconds or minutes that could mean the difference between a minor venting event and a life-threatening emergency.

Who is most at risk

While the Western Gas recall affects anyone with under-odorized propane in their home or recreational equipment, the danger is not distributed equally. The primary group at risk consists of households and businesses that rely on propane delivered to stationary storage tanks, particularly those who have not had their tanks inspected or refilled since November 2017. Because propane is naturally odorless, safety depends entirely on an added chemical called mercaptan, which gives gas its distinct "rotten egg" smell. When this odorant is missing or present in insufficient levels, the most immediate risk falls on anyone who relies on their sense of smell to detect a leak. For these individuals, a small, slow leak that might have been caught early by others could go entirely unnoticed until it accumulates to dangerous concentrations.

Within this broad group, certain demographics face heightened vulnerability due to physiological or environmental factors. Elderly residents are often at greater risk because the sense of smell naturally diminishes with age. Even in a normal scenario, an older adult might struggle to detect faint odors; in the case of under-odorized propane, that already reduced sensitivity becomes a critical safety gap. Similarly, individuals with respiratory conditions or nasal congestion may find themselves unable to perceive the warning signs of a leak until it is too late. For these groups, the lack of an olfactory alarm transforms a manageable situation into a potential catastrophe.

Families with young children also occupy a high-risk category for different reasons. Children spend more time closer to the ground than adults do. Propane is heavier than air, meaning that if a leak occurs from a tank or appliance, the gas will settle and pool near the floor. A child playing on a carpet or lying on a bed in a bedroom adjacent to a furnace room could be breathing in concentrated gas long before an adult walking upright detects it. Furthermore, children may not recognize the seriousness of a faint smell or may not know how to react appropriately in an emergency.

Additionally, people living in poorly ventilated spaces or those who use propane appliances in enclosed areas face compounded risks. If you reside in a tightly sealed, energy-efficient home, a slow leak can build up pressure and concentration more rapidly than in a drafty house. The same applies to recreational vehicle (RV) owners or campers using portable cylinders. In the confined space of an RV trailer, there is little room for gas to disperse safely. A single unnoticed leak in such a small area can quickly reach explosive levels. Therefore, while the recall touches all propane users, those with reduced sensory awareness, young children, or those living and sleeping in enclosed spaces share the highest burden of risk from this specific failure.

• Elderly individuals with diminished olfactory senses
• Residents with nasal congestion or respiratory issues
• Families with young children who remain close to the ground where gas pools
• Users of propane in confined spaces, such as RVs or small cabins, where gas cannot easily dissipate

How to tell if you have the recalled item

Identifying whether your propane supply is part of this specific recall requires a careful look at both the source of your fuel and the timeline of its delivery or purchase. Because the issue centers on under-odorized propane distributed by Western Gas, the primary step in verification is determining how you receive your gas. If you rely on a storage tank that receives regular deliveries, you must contact your local supplier or reach out directly to Western Gas to confirm if your specific tank’s contents are affected. The recall notice explicitly states that tanks which have already been inspected for odorant levels, or those that were refilled after November 2017, are not part of this problem. Therefore, the date of your last refill is a critical piece of evidence in ruling out the hazard.

For consumers who purchase portable propane cylinders for use with recreational vehicles, barbeques, stoves, or other outdoor appliances, the identification process shifts to the point of sale. You need to review your receipts or packaging to verify if the cylinder was purchased from a retailer that stocked Western Gas products. Unlike the delivery-based system, portable units do not have internal logs for odorant levels; instead, their eligibility for replacement is tied to the retail source and the specific batch distributed by Western Gas. If you cannot recall where you bought the cylinder, checking with the retailer using your purchase date or loyalty card information is a recommended first step.

It is important to note that the recall facts do not provide specific visual identifiers such as unique color codes, serial number prefixes, or weight measurements that would allow for instant visual identification on the spot. There are no distinct model numbers listed for the cylinders themselves, nor are there specific size restrictions mentioned in the official record. This means you cannot rely on looking at the tank’s exterior paint or label alone to determine safety. The definitive way to tell if you have a recalled item is not through physical inspection of the propane itself—which consumers are strictly advised against attempting—but through administrative verification. You must actively contact Western Gas via their toll-free number at 833-444-1451, available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Time, Monday through Friday, or use their online resources at www.propaneawareness.com. Only by providing your delivery address or purchase details to these official channels can you accurately determine if your propane is subject to this recall.

What to do — step by step

Your refund, repair, or replacement options

If you are worried that your propane supply might be part of this recall, the good news is that Western Gas has put a clear and straightforward remedy in place to make things right. The company is not asking you to pay for the inconvenience or the safety risk they identified. Instead, they have structured their response around two main paths depending on how you receive your fuel: through large storage tanks delivered to your home, or through portable cylinders purchased at a store. It is important to follow the specific steps for your type of service, as the process differs slightly between the two.

If you have propane delivered to a storage tank on your property, do not attempt to test the gas yourself. Testing it could create a spark or a leak, which defeats the purpose of avoiding danger. Instead, your first step is to contact your supplier or call Western Gas directly to verify if your specific delivery is affected. You can reach them at 833-444-1451, available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mountain Time, Monday through Friday. If the inspection confirms that your propane lacks sufficient odorant, Western Gas will promptly arrange for additional odorization or replace the under-odorized propane entirely. This means you get safe, properly scented gas without any cost to you for the correction.

For those who purchased a portable cylinder at a retail location, the process is similarly focused on replacement rather than repair or refund. You should contact the retailer where you bought the cylinder or call the Western Gas hotline to determine if your specific unit may be affected. If it is confirmed as part of the recall, you will need to return the cylinder to the retailer. The retailer will then provide you with a replacement cylinder that meets safety standards. This ensures that your grill, stove, or recreational vehicle appliance can continue to operate safely without you having to deal with faulty gas.

The goal here is simple: get you safe propane. Whether through direct inspection and odorization for tank users or a straightforward exchange for portable cylinder owners, the remedy is designed to be hassle-free. Remember, if at any point you smell even a faint odor of gas, leave the building immediately and call 911 from a neighbor’s phone. Do not use any electrical switches or open flames while you are still inside. Once you are safe, you can proceed with the contact steps outlined above to resolve the issue.

What can happen if you ignore it

When a recall involves propane gas, the stakes are significantly higher than with many other consumer products because the danger is not just about product failure—it is about invisible threats that can escalate rapidly. The core issue with this Western Gas recall is that the propane may lack sufficient odorant. In normal circumstances, propane is naturally colorless and odorless, so an odorant is added specifically to create a distinct "rotten egg" smell that alerts you to a leak. If that protective layer of scent is missing or insufficient, you lose your primary early-warning system. Ignoring the recall means continuing to use gas in your home or recreational space without this critical safety net.

The most immediate consequence of using under-odorized propane is the potential for undetected accumulation of gas. Without a strong smell to signal a leak from a faulty valve, a cracked hose, or a loose connection, gas can fill a room or a confined space like an RV before you even realize something is wrong. Propane is heavier than air, meaning it tends to settle in low areas such as basements or crawl spaces, creating a hidden pool of fuel that is difficult to see and impossible to smell if the odorant is deficient. This silent buildup turns ordinary household activities into potential catastrophes.

If this undetected gas reaches its ignition source—which could be anything from a pilot light on your water heater to the spark of a refrigerator compressor or even static electricity—the result can be a fire or an explosion. The CPSC highlights these as the primary hazards because they pose severe risks to life and property. An explosion does not require a large amount of gas; it only requires the right concentration mixed with air. Once ignited, the resulting thermal burns can be devastating, causing serious injury or loss of life before occupants even understand what happened. The lack of odor means you might not have enough time to evacuate safely.

While no incidents have been reported in this specific recall as of the announcement date, the risk remains real and present for every tank or cylinder that has not been addressed. The consequence of inaction is not just a defective product; it is the removal of your ability to detect a leak until it is too late. By ignoring the inspection request, you are essentially betting that no leaks will occur and that any minor seepage will be noticed by chance rather than design. This is a gamble with your home’s structural integrity and your family’s physical safety. The remedy provided—free inspection and replacement or odorization—is designed to restore that essential layer of protection, ensuring that if a leak does occur, you will smell it immediately and have the time needed to act.

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