Are any special parts needed in order to use a propane cylinder?

For propane to get from the tank to a burner tip where its energy can be put to work requires some specific equipment and accessories, such as:

• Regulator – controls the flow of propane gas from the tank and lowers the pressure of the propane as its transmitted to the appliance where it’s used.
• POL Fitting – this fitting is screwed into the POL valve because the threads are located on the inside of the connector.
• ACME Fitting – typically found on newer propane containers, these fittings differ from POL valves in size and their use of external threads and prevents propane from leaving the tank unless it’s attached to a device.
• Overfill Prevention Device (OPD) – these valves feature an internal float that prevents overfilling of the tank with propane, which is a crucial safety feature.
• Propane Hose – the hose is the connection between the propane tank regulator and the propane appliance. There are multiple types of hoses with different fittings on the end meant to work with different types of regulators and appliances.
• Propane Gauge – gives you an approximate measure of how much propane is remaining in a tank.
• Propane Burner – often called a burner tip, this is where gas is released and ignited, producing the blue propane flame. The type of propane burner tip varies based on the type of flame needed (space heating vs cooking, for example) and the temperature of the flame required.