Ahh, good to see risk taking is still around!! No seriously I have "opened" more than a few propane bottles over the years, you were absolutely correct to use water.The bad smell is only to alert regular sane people of a gas leak.You'r method practically mirrors what I have always done; crack the valve open to expel any remaining gas & then insert a water hose & fill to over flowing (at this point there is NO oxygen gas present).Now, remember oxygen needs to be present for an explosion to take place!No oxygen, no explosion.Shut the valve, lay bottle over & attack wherever you'r marks are with an angle grinder,BUT remember if you are using electrical power tools around water be extremely aware that water and electricity are a very bad mix.Just waiting for the refractory to completely set in my new propane bottle furnace and will then add photo's to my profile/gallery.Have already called it the canary (aka The Yellow Peril)for those who don't know, Peril means life threatening or in fear of you'r life.You may have guessed, it is bright yellow!!!
