Icy? More like assy

[Monterey Jack]

Had to assist a customer with a Blue Rhino exchange today (they bring in empty propane tanks and swap them for full ones from the cage outside the store), and, unfortunately, the locks were totally frozen stiff...I could get the keys in and even turn then, but the hasp would not snap open no matter how much I jiggled and yanked on them. After going in to consult with my manager, I was given the "gentleman's" money back and to tell him that we could not process his transaction until we could find a way to de-ice the locks, and he totally went OFF on me, cursing and telling me, "It's not fucking rocket science, just hit it with a hammer!" before taking his money and stalking off while hurling more profanities at me over his shoulder. All I could do was apologize, but seriously...you KNOW we just had a massive blizzard, so you have to expect little inconveniences like this. Sucks you can't barbecue in 30-degree weather, dude, but it's not MY fault or that of the store.

[Ironclad Alibi]

I'm surprised he didn't tell you to heat the lock with a blowtorch.

[Mr Hero]

He can find someplace else for propane and propane accessories.

[eltf177]

I'm surprised he didn't tell you to heat the lock with a blowtorch.

This. I knew one rocket scientist who had thick ice all over her car windshield. Her solution? Pour BOILING water on it. It did remove the ice as the windshield completely shattered under it...

[Kittish]

Serious suggestion for dealing with the issue of the iced over lock if it happens again- a spray bottle filled with two parts rubbing alcohol and one part water, well mixed.

[Monterey Jack]

He can find someplace else for propane and propane accessories.

"That boy ain't right, I tell ya whut..."

[Slave to the Phone]

Serious suggestion for dealing with the issue of the iced over lock if it happens again- a spray bottle filled with two parts rubbing alcohol and one part water, well mixed.

Hand sanitizer also works very well.

Not to excuse the jerk for being a jerk, but its possible that if he was planning to use his grill, it could be because his power was out. No excuse for being a jerk.

Weather happens.

[Pixelated]

This. I knew one rocket scientist who had thick ice all over her car windshield. Her solution? Pour BOILING water on it. It did remove the ice as the windshield completely shattered under it...

My sister lived in Texas for many years, and she recounted a story very similar to this. They had an ice storm once, and yep, the locals were trying to clear their windshields by either pouring boiling water over them ... or using a hammer and screwdriver or chisel on the ice.

I'm guessing they had fun explaining the results to their insurance companies.

[Rosco the Iroc]

They do make these things that produce heat and news flash they run on....yep propane!
It's not just for grills. I wonder if you triggered him just didn't realize it?

[Dreamstalker]

I'm honestly surprised that the manager didn't tell you to take a lighter off the shelf and use it for de-icing...

[AmbrosiaWriter]

Fun fact about iced up windshields and water. If you pour COLD water on your windshield (if it's one of those thin sheets of ice that are super annoying to chip off) it'll create a layer under the ice and you can pop it right off with your ice scraper super easy.

Also, this reminded me of when I worked at the gas station. Cold weather made the keys on the pumps go wonky. You could still get gas, but you had to come in and put gas on the pump inside. Most people were fine, other people... not so much.

[Lace Neil Singer]

This. I knew one rocket scientist who had thick ice all over her car windshield. Her solution? Pour BOILING water on it. It did remove the ice as the windshield completely shattered under it...

I know someone who works for a windscreen repair company, and he spends the entire winter helping idiots who do that. Scarily, he says that often the idiot he goes to help by replacing their windscreen is someone who he's helped before... and who completely disregarded the advice given the last time! Humanity really is doomed.

[klhanson]

we use water here to get rid of ice on our windshields but not boiling hot.. somewhere around the temp of lukewarm. Haven't had a problem yet.

[dalesys]

I would expect that the risk depends on the temperature *difference* between windshield and water, not the temperature of the water. If the windshield's at -40... even lukewarm (60-100) water could mean "Hello popcorn!"
I'd seriously consider salted cold water.

[Sakka]

Several years back while waiting at a dealership while car was in for a scheduled maintenance checkup, had a lovely gentleman in who had used a steel tipped ski pole to remove ice from his windshield. He couldn't understand why the windshield was now scratched all to hell, nor why the staff at the dealership weren't going to replace his windshield, for free.



(Posted from phone, blame autocorrect for typos)