How do I get rid of an old oil furnace tank?

Question

I have a oil tank in my basement. I know that I need to drain the oil out and disconnect all of the lines. But what is the best way to cut it into smaller easier to handle pieces? Is the sawzall the best option?

Answer 1

A reciprocating saw (Sawzall) is the only thing I have ever used .
I have removed several oil tanks from basements in my day.
You don't have to worry about sparks starting a fire. Fuel oil needs to be atomized to burn. Nothing will happen.
Where I live, if you are disposing of an old oil tank, it must be cut in half and thoroughly cleaned before it is scrapped.

Answer 2

Put an add in the paper , advertise it as a free oil tank with oil in it, There are always someone looking for these tanks and will go through a fair amount of trouble for a free tank. If you can't remove it because something else is in the way or there isn't any way to get it out in one piece you will have to cut it up.... Try the newspaper thing....You wouldn't believe what some people will do for something just because it's free and they are cheap.....

Answer 3

I have no idea what you can use to cut it up, but I do know that you can contact a metal recycling company and ask them to get it. They'll cart it away for free and the'll sell it for scrap metal.

You can also call 1.800.gotjunk or check out gotjunk.com....

Answer 4

A sawsall will work fine. I would keep a fire extinguisher handy in the event of a hot spark causing a fire.

Answer 5

Maybe contact your fuel delivery company - they might have an easy solution.

Answer 6

Place an ad in your local paper, People turn them into pig roasters...............