How to Tell How Much Propane Is Left for Your Gas Grill - CHOW Tip

Running out of fuel for your gas grill can bring your barbecue to a halt. CHOW.com's Blake Smith demonstrates how you can estimate your remaining propane without using a fuel gauge.

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TRANSCRIPT
Running out of propane in the middle of your barbeque is an embarrassing disaster but, unfortunately, most propane tanks don't have a built in fuel gauge so it's difficult to tell how much cooking time you have left. If you don't want a fuel gauge, don't worry, you can use this easy trick to figure out whether or not you need a refill.

Make sure the gas is turned off and then disconnect the tank and rest it on level ground. Pour a glass of warm water down the side of the tank and then feel the area. The liquid propane inside the tank will absorb the heat from the water. So the tank will feel cool to the touch wherever there is propane and warm where it's empty. Your average propane tank holds about twenty hours of cooking time. So knowing about how full the tank is will give you a good estimate of how much time you have left to grill. Okay, so obviously this is a blunt method. You're not going to know exactly how much fuel you have left but you will know whether or not you can get through your barbeque.

[hinder]

This video made me feel like such a rookie because it's both simultaneously brilliant, obvious, and probably common knowledge. In my defense this was never discussed on King of the Hill.

[charliehorsenm]

Cool to see a young guy like you using this "ancient" trick. I learned this from my dad when I was 6 years old and we lived in a trailer with propane cooking and heat. I use this method to this day for checking the tanks on my travel trailer, even though the gas regulator / selector valve has a nominal gauge on it. I've had the gauge float occasionally stick giving me a false reading. The hot water method NEVER fails. I use the side of my hand to start "feeling down the tank" from top to bottom. When I find the "cool line" I mark it with a pencil. Since the tanks are mounted outside on the hitch "A - frame" there's no need to disconnect anything or turn off the gas to safely and easily do this 30 second test.

[chasmarischen]

Great video! Straight to the point! No wasted time. THANK YOU!

[Javynoza]

Always have a backup tank just in case. I once had a nightmare that I ran out of propane halfway through the fourth of July cookout. That's the last time I huff propane before bed.

[JosephByrne]

Brilliant. Simple and effective. We've 3/4 of the tank left. Like others have said I'm surprised this wasn't covered on King of the Hill.

[dogchaser]

Nice! Thanks. Going to see if this works on small tanks for camping too.

[monkeyman]

I use a digital luggage scale to weigh my tank then deduct the tare weight of the tank.  A gallon of liquid propane weighs 4.2lbs.  You can find out exactly how much is in your tank that way.

[warrenproductions]

Thanks for: 1 great video 2. short and sweet duration! Much appreciated!

[urkoolUncle]

Thanks buddy!!!
I'm an amateur at this so you gave me something to go on!!!!

[TheViciousVendetta]

Thanks very much for this tip! Not all countries have gas mains underground. We cook using tanks of propane connected directly to the stove. Great tip!

[jfomxxx]

Perfect! Exactly what I needed to know. Thanks.

[bradygalo]

Very helpful tip! Never thought there's this way of knowing..

[johnbolt]

The best way to know when your propane will run out is to cook a big roast as it will run out before the roast is cooked!

[FinnProp]

Luggage scale works.
Read the tare weight from the side. You’re buying propane in mass (kg/lbs). Scale weight - tare = propane mass left in the tank.

[JTstag]

Thanks so much. Exactly what I needed to know. Was about to just go and refill the propane to be safe. 

[bldbar]

This comment includes all the things I wanted, in a size that was convenient. Good job.

[paulcook]

You can also weigh the tank
Empty Tank weighs 20 pounds