Some air would slowly diffuse into the line, but propane is denser than air
so it would tend to stay in lines that are lower than the burner.  For the
fridge, propane would "drop out" of the vertical line from the top to the
burner in the bottom of the fridge.  It's not a good idea to leave the valve
open though, because the next time you open the tank that would not be good.

When I had a fridge it always lit right up, and I turned the dial to off and
then the closed tank valve each time I shut down.  Burning off the propane
probably will let air into the line.

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Jeff Palmer
Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2015 3:36 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: Lighting stove before lighting fridge

Not sure about the fridge. But if I did the same to the stove and left the
knob "on" would air not enter the lines?

Sent from my iPhone

> On Aug 19, 2015, at 12:09 PM, Vanagon <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> I still don't get how air gets into the line.
>
> Jack Elliott
> 1984 Westfalia
>
>> On Aug 19, 2015, at 9:46 AM, Jeff Palmer <jpalmer@MYMTS.NET> wrote:
>>
>> I believe this came up a few weeks back. Here's why I light the stove
first even if it indicates or responds to an incorrect condition.
>>
>> When I turn off the fridge i do so first at the tank so that it burns off
gas in the line. Seems safer to me.  Then I turn off the dial. When i try to
light the stove for example after doing this I get 2-3 seconds of air before
it lights. I assume I would get the same air in the fridge gas line causing
difficulties in lighting. I find if I light the stove first it gets any air
out of the lines and the fridge starts more easily.
>>
>> Just my 2.5 cents.
>> Jeff
>> 85 Westfalia GL with generally working fridge
>>
>> Sent from my iPhone