Hometown News and Views

By Michael d’Oliveira

Oakland Park - To Chris Rosado, the propane business is just like owning a pizza joint.

“We deliver straight to your house, just like pizza,” said  Rosado, who attributes the comparison to his dad. “I worked for my dad’s old propane company since I was a little kid.” It was an experience that prepared him to start his own propane business in 2007, Forever Propane Sales & Service at 350 NE 44 St.

And like pizza deliveries, cooked meals can stop after a big storm rolls through town. So it’s important to be ready to keep the grill going in case the electricity fails and propane is all there is to cook up the contents of a dethawing freezer. Providing for grills of all types, Forever Propane sells propane tanks from the smallest one-pounders to the big containers on the sides of houses and businesses.

“Instead of throwing those little green propane bottles away when you’re done with them, we provide refillable ones,” said Monika Rosado, Chris’ sister and manager at Forever Propane. And there’s no tank too small to be delivered.

For those who use the bigger 20-pound propane tanks, Forever Propane offers refills and replacement tanks. When a storm is coming, Forever Propane recommends those with 20-pound tanks have at least two on hand.

“It’s always good to have that spare tank, but it all depends on how much cooking you do,” said Monika Rosado.

Customers at Forever Propane don’t have to leave home to get their propane supplies ready before a hurricane or tropical storm.

“We’ll come out and disconnect your empty tanks and reconnect your full tank onto your grill,” said Chris Rosado. His customers don’t even have to be home. They can leave a check at the house or pay by credit card over the phone. And there’s no charge for delivery, tank disposal or administrative fees. “We’re about taking care of the customer,” he said. The company even offers grill-cleaning services.

Along with propane refills and tank replacements, Forever Propane sells everything needed to keep the grill fires burning before and after a storm – from hoses and parts to repair and cleaning services. The whole life of the grill, from sale to fixing, repairing and replacing can be handled by Forever Propane.

“With us, we get you a top- of- the- line grill at the best price possible price. And not only do we sell you the grill, but we’re a full service company that can help you maintain it. Anything you need,” said Monika Rosado. “And everybody’s treated like family.”

With his two other companies, Forever Cutten Landscaping & Lawn Service and Forever Hauling & Bobcat Services, Chris Rosado can also help with clean up yard waste or debris before or after a storm.

“We’re pretty much a one-stop shop. I still have loyal customers that only want me to do their landscaping,” said Rosado. Forever Propane is also located in Boca Raton and Hollywood.

For more information, visit www.foreverpropane.com or call 954-566-3074.

Propane safety tips

Don’t store propane tanks in your car longer than the trip from the store to your home

Store propane tanks in a cool, well-ventilated area

Maintain your tank, keeping it free of rust or corrosion

Recertify your tank every 12 years

Propane leaks smell like rotten eggs

If you smell a leak, evacuate the premises and call the fire department

Never use a grill inside your home

Close the propane tank cylinder valve when not in use

Do not smoke near a propane tank