Project Zomboid B42 Propane: Refill Torch Without Losing Your Mind
Project Zomboid B42 Propane
Find tanks fast, refill your torch reliably, and keep metalworking moving.
Propane = metalworking stamina
Propane tanks are your metalworking supply line. If you want metal walls, doors, gates, or a real workshop, you’ll need a propane torch, a welding mask, and enough tanks to avoid running dry mid-project. The most common failure isn’t “bad RNG” — it’s leaving base with a half-empty torch and no backup plan.
Loop: find tanks → bring home → refill torch → batch metalwork → repeat.
Quick-Start
Get the trio: propane torch + welding mask + a basic tool for dismantling (crowbar/screwdriver depending on what you’re stripping).
Sweep backyards first (BBQs), then garages/sheds, then go bigger (industrial/hardware/storage) only if needed.
Drive the tanks home immediately (they’re heavy) and refill the torch at base before you craft anything.
Batch your metalwork so you don’t burn propane on one-off tinkering.
Always keep a backup tank at your workshop and (if you have a vehicle) one in the trunk for field refills.
Visual cue
Pulling a propane tank from a backyard BBQ behind a suburban house.
2-minute loadout table
| Slot | Bring | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hands | A reliable melee weapon | Backyard/garage runs still pull zombies |
| Bag | Empty-ish backpack/duffel | Tanks are heavy; you need capacity |
| Tools | Propane torch + welding mask | Without these, propane is dead weight |
| Utility | Water + snacks | You’ll end up “just checking one more backyard” |
| Optional | Car key + spare gas | Vehicles turn propane from pain to profit |
Propane Run Checklist
Printable brain version
Propane Run Checklist [ ] Torch + welding mask in inventory [ ] Bag has room (don’t start full) [ ] Hit 10–20 backyards (BBQs) + every garage on the way [ ] If still dry: hardware/industrial/storage next [ ] Return to base, refill torch, store tanks on the same shelf every time
What propane is actually for (and what it isn’t)
In Project Zomboid, propane is less “fuel” and more “permission.” It gates metalworking: it’s what turns scrap into real defenses.
Usually tied to
- Metalworking crafts that need heat/cutting/welding.
- Dismantling or building metal structures (depending on your branch and recipe set).
Not your universal answer for
- Generators (that’s gasoline and maintenance).
- Cooking forever (you can cook, but propane’s big identity is metalwork, not meal prep).
Verify in your build
If crafting expanded, propane can show up in more recipes than you remember. The right play is always: check the recipe tooltip, then stock accordingly.
The propane loop: tank → torch → metalwork
- Find tanks (BBQs, garages, industrial loot).
- Bring them home (or at least to a safe spot).
- Refill the propane torch from a tank.
- Do metalworking in batches.
Repeat before you hit empty mid-project.
The trick is minimizing wasted travel. Tanks are heavy and bulky; make each trip buy you days of metalworking, not one craft.
Where to find propane in B42 (loot priority list)
Priority order that tends to feel best:
- Backyards (BBQs)
Garages + sheds
Warehouses / industrial lots
Hardware stores- Storage units / self-storage
- Auto shops / service areas
Why backyards first? They’re everywhere, quick to check, and often behind fences where zombie density is lighter than main streets.
Hotspots at a glance
| Location type | Why it’s good | Grab while you’re there | Risk notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Backyard BBQs | High “surprise tank” value, fast checks | Lighters, grills, outdoor furniture to dismantle | Fences create blind corners; don’t jog into a party |
| Garages/sheds | Tool + fuel synergy | Welding mask, hand tools, scrap | Alarm risk if you smash windows; watch for bathroom hordes nearby |
| Warehouses/industrial | Bulk spawns, big hauls | Metal sheets/bars, crates, tools | Wide sightlines but huge groups; cars are loud magnets |
| Hardware stores | “Crafting progression” candy store | Nails/fasteners, tools, storage crates | Often in town centers; plan an exit route |
| Storage units | RNG jackpot potential | Boxes of misc loot, sometimes tools | Lots of doors, lots of noise, lots of “oops” |
Backyard BBQs: the free tank most survivors ignore
Veteran move: don’t “loot a neighborhood,” hunt its backyards.
Backyard sweep tips
- Enter from the side, not the front door. Fence gates are quieter than smashing glass.
- Listen before you commit. Backyards can hide one zombie or eight, and sound doesn’t always spill to the street.
- Check the BBQ, then check the shed. If you’re lucky, you chain propane + mask + tools in one property.
Multiplayer split (clean and civilized)
One player watches the street, one checks backyards, one hauls tanks to the car.
Refill the propane torch (and fix the usual “it won’t work” moments)
Refilling is easy to forget until you panic mid-horde. Keep it boring and consistent.
Basic refill flow
- Put the propane tank and propane torch in your inventory (not on the ground across the room).
- Right-click the tank (or the torch, depending on your branch/UI).
- Choose the refill action (wording varies by build).
- Confirm your torch now has fuel before you leave base.
Troubleshooting checklist
- Torch isn’t in your inventory: move it out of a container and onto your character.
- Tank is empty: you’re holding a trophy, not a fuel source — grab another.
- Missing welding mask for the craft: refilling may still work, but the craft won’t; get the mask now.
- Multiplayer loot rules: make sure you can actually use the item (container/safehouse ownership rules).
- Massively encumbered: some actions feel “sticky”; drop weight and try again.
Visual cue
A workshop shelf with propane tanks, propane torch, and welding mask laid out.
How much propane to stockpile (so you stop doing emergency runs)
Rule of thumb so metalworking stays fun:
- Early game (dabbling): keep 2 tanks at base and 1 spare “in transit” if you have a vehicle.
- Mid game (real defenses): aim for 4–8 tanks total depending on your build plans.
- Late game (big projects / MP bases): dedicate a crate/shelf to propane — the time you save is enormous.
Stockpile by project size
| Project type | Suggested stash | Why |
|---|---|---|
| “I just want to try metalworking” | 2 tanks | Enough to learn without constant runs |
| “I’m upgrading doors/windows and making small defenses” | 4 tanks | Lets you batch work over multiple sessions |
| “I’m building a metal perimeter / MP base upgrades” | 6–10 tanks | Big builds punish half-prepared supply lines |
Safe vs dangerous runs
If your runs are short and safe (suburban backyard loop), stock less and resupply often. If your runs are dangerous (industrial raid), stock more so you do fewer raids.
Carrying and storing propane without hating your life
You can carry tanks on foot… but you’ll move like a fridge. Keep it practical:
- Vehicles turn propane into easy mode. If you have a car, use it.
- No car? Do micro-runs: clear 3–5 houses, bring tanks back, repeat.
- Don’t mix propane storage with random junk. One shelf, one crate, every time.
Workshop Labels (simple, but it works)
Workshop Labels CRATE 1: Propane Tanks (full/partial) CRATE 2: Torch + Welding Mask + Spare Tools CRATE 3: Metal Sheets/Bars/Pipes CRATE 4: Scrap to dismantle for XP RULE: Torch lives in CRATE 2 when not equipped
Why this matters
The torch is the kind of item that vanishes into backpacks, glove boxes, and dead friend inventories. Give it a “home” container and stick to it.
Workshop setup that plays nice with B42 crafting
Build 42-era crafting changes one thing above all: your time is now spent in menus as much as in fights.
Workshop corner rules
- Keep materials (metal sheets/bars/scrap) within a few tiles of your crafting spot.
- Keep propane tanks right next to the torch.
- Keep the welding mask in the same container as the torch.
- If your UI has a crafting search bar: use it ruthlessly (search “metal”, “weld”, “torch”).
Multiplayer sanity tip
Declare one person “shop sheriff.” Most MP bases collapse into chaos because nobody can find the torch.
If B42 changed propane: a 5-minute sanity check
Do this once per save (or after major updates) and you won’t get surprised mid-project.
- Open crafting/metalworking and search for two common crafts you care about (doors, walls, barricades, etc.).
- Write down requirements: torch? mask? metal sheets? any new fuel items?
- Craft a cheap test item and watch your propane change.
- Decide your stash rule: “I burn about X per session; I keep Y tanks.”
- Update your workshop labels if new components were introduced.
This turns propane from “RNG annoyance” into “managed resource.”
FAQ (stuff players actually ask mid-panic)
Do I need a welding mask for everything?
Not for life, but most serious metalworking crafts commonly require it. Treat mask + torch as inseparable.
Why do I keep finding tanks but never the torch?
Tanks show up as household/outdoor loot, while the torch is more tool/workshop flavored. Hit garages, sheds, and industrial storage for tools; treat backyards as fuel.
Should I carry a tank with me?
With a vehicle: yes — keep one in the trunk for field refills. On foot: only for very short local projects when you’re confident you won’t need to fight overloaded.
Is propane worth it early game?
If your base plan involves metal, yes — and it’s better to stockpile before you need it. If you’re living nomad with wood barricades and spears, propane can wait.
Closing thoughts
Propane is boring, heavy, and somehow the thing that decides whether your workshop is productive or you’re yelling at your equipment.
Action steps recap
Get torch + mask, sweep backyards/garages for tanks, refill at base, and batch metalworking so every propane trip buys you days of progress.
Patch-History (Collapsible)
Patch History
| Date | Change Note | Impact on early-game priorities |
|---|---|---|
| N/A (offline) | Verify your exact B42/Build 42 version’s metalworking + propane requirements in official patch notes | Decide whether to stockpile earlier if more recipes consume propane |
| N/A (offline) | Confirm the refill interaction wording/UI for propane torch in your branch | Prevents “torch won’t refill” confusion during first workshop session |
| N/A (offline) | Check if new crafting stations (forges/kilns/workbenches) introduced alternate fuel needs | Keeps you from hoarding propane when a different resource is the real bottleneck |
