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.

[@hinder90]

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.

[@sherrytelle]

Hey don't feel bad, I have been grilling for over 40 years and this is new to me!

[@Ra20r97]

You, me and 1 million other people haha 😂

[@JulezNDrumz]

Here, here...Bobby!

[@rayray8687]

@@sherrytelle: Wow, if you’ve been barbecuing for 40 years and don’t know you can buy a fuel gauge for your tank…well….

[@sherrytelle]

@@rayray8687 hahahaha tank coming and going is my husband's job.... I can cook absolutely anything on a grill, but would be hard pressed to hook one up.

[@charliehorsenm3446]

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.

[@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.

[@aceg81]

Just when I've convinced myself that KZbin comments are an irredeemable cesspool of awfulness, someone comes along and restores my faith in humanity. God bless you, Mr. Hill. And don't you worry, Bobby's gonna be just fine.

[@PrimeObserver-1]

That way you consume ALL of the gas and not send a partial tank back for refilling. Mine emptied a few weeks ago during a grilling.

[@Javynoza]

aceg81 That boy ain’t right

[@LS-bw7jt]

Haha the man himself

[@ShawnJonesHellion]

@@aceg81 bobby is doing great. he has been buying some really pure propane off me. so he can huff all he wants an not worry about dying from fake propane sold by chyna

[@chasmarischen4459]

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

[@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.

[@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!

[@monkeyman522]

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.

[@annemariebenoit4263]

But how much does the tank weigh?

[@brucetoohey4510]

@@annemariebenoit4263 The tank weight is typically on the handle and stamped it should be preceded by a TW.

[@annemariebenoit4263]

@@brucetoohey4510 thanks!

[@dogchaser520]

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

[@warrenproductions4228]

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

[@user-jf4om2xx7x]

Perfect! Exactly what I needed to know. Thanks.

[@urkoolUncle]

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

[@NaughtyT]

Pro Tip: Keep a second tank...

[@Supra_Na96]

LOL right!!!

[@bradygalo3828]

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

[@ryanstellar1]

Excellent advice. Very practical

[@RandyGiven]

Good tip. Thanks!

[@samurai1833]

Great tip! thanks!

[@donprosser7039]

Awesome tip!

[@ramirovaldes4889]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@JTstag]

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

[@richardalvarado9807]

Thanks again!

[@kingstonrjsp]

awesome tip

[@user-ye9ph5iq5z]

Good tip thanks

[@bldbar118]

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

[@wesg3084]

Nice. I'm going to try this.

[@iljasanio4702]

amazing! totally works

[@johnbolt665]

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!

[@Mr.56Goldtop]

That's a great tip!

[@mattwaters6987]

Good advice.

[@akashmasne5102]

life saver hackzzz. thanks !!

[@greenmonkeypoo321]

this is a pretty clever tip!

[@lauragimby2409]

Brilliant!

[@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.

[@paulcook7888]

You can also weigh the tank Empty Tank weighs 20 pounds

[@johnhudelson2652]

Look at the rim or tag at the top of the tank, and you will see "TW" followed by the empty weight in pounds. For example, if you see "TW18" the empty weight of the tank is 18 pounds.

[@kevinmcdonald1917]

Empty tank weighs 18 pounds and it holds 20 pounds of propane, so a full tank should weigh 38 pounds.

[@shantelhamilton3086]

Thank you brother

[@LybioNews]

that's awesome! It also makes you wonder why they sell the tanks without a gauge!

[@annemariebenoit4263]

Yeah. This is true. I should possibly look into buying a gauge.

[@tokeme01]

That was just an awesome video

[@joannhopkins689]

Thanks that's awesome

[@KnownTK]

AWESOME.

[@kevs6974]

Wow. This is interesting

[@WXUZT]

Brilliant ❤

[@rubyokosi8377]

Thanks pal😄

[@yik555]

Can I pour warm dorritos consomme to a propane tank for a southwestern kick?

[@robertmorris2564]

Interesting idea for camper, im a charcoal guy myself though.

[@AudioFreqx]

just make sure to do it when the tank is 'full' so you have a reference.

[@cold02rex]

yessssss!

[@mmmcumyum]

His eyebrows have so much compassion

[@annemariebenoit4263]

For... confused barbequers? Heaven forbid he ever read the news, then.

[@Ionizap]

Check by weight as suggested below by previous posters.

[@RS-pq5mo]

They're filled by weight so just weigh the tank and deduct the tare weight

[@latviandude]

Was that flame in the background at 0:20 ?

[@aloo20]

Thats what I do :)

[@radiocontrolled9181]

With time you will memorize how much a full tank weighs when you lift it up, same for an empty tank. Big difference. By lifting the tank up you can tell roughly how much propane there's left. If it's on the lighter side, I move the tank around and can hear the liquid that's left move inside the bottom of the tank. If it's really empty, you hear nothing.

[@franklin76]

Thanks for video. I Sadly discovered the store ripped me off. I guess it's better than ripped off on grill.

[@boortbeatz9024]

What if u leave the propane turned on but no burners are left on does the propane still escape when its turned on?or do i have to turn the knobs while the propane is on to release gas. Im not used to propane bbq and i think i left the gas running

[@imKyleZA]

Just weight the thing....

[@richarddecker9515]

If you were using it the water would freeze at the level of the propane because as you release compressed gas the temperature drops as liquid propane vaporizes

[@KaraRangihuna23]

Omg this actually worked

[@David-lo1fo]

Easier way, simply weight the tank. A empty tank is around 16 lbs. Full A propane tank that size is 36 lbs. Supermarkets and 7/11 sell tanks Underfilled. Blue Rino doesn't release the air inside while filling.

[@MelodyMan69]

Yeh. I learned that back in 1972. First job was selling Commercial AC. Refrigeration Mechanics would 'pee' on the Cylinder to see the Frostline when the cracked open the valve. 🇦🇺

[@ischannel8875]

Hank hill's seal of approval

[@richardalvarado9807]

Thank you for your video. I did that and it appears I have just a little less than half a tank.

[@hashimsalim2665]

😀

[@MrSnuka3000]

Dang it bobby!

[@tomikallela4562]

Just check the bottle weight ? And - the weight of the steel ?

[@ToddMcDonald-zh4ym]

Just use a weight scale, 17 lbs empty and 37lbs full for standard tank.

[@Gonzie6]

does this work the same with butane?

[@royrice8021]

Just feel for the “cool line” on the tank after a few minutes of use.👍

[@zikorahofficial]

Can we use Cold water if we don't have has to make the water warm???

[@631strongislandkid]

You can also look for the condomsation line

[@malcolmwhite6588]

Wow, I never knew you could stretch a condom over a propane tank in the first place

[@hankd18]

I like that

[@deedeebee7729]

🤙🏼

[@trinkabuszczuk6138]

There’s a saying in Australia: keep a spare or eat it rare. 😊

[@robertnewzealand]

I usually submerge the bottle in a bath tub and measure its buoyancy :)

[@kailuigi3793]

must be one hell of a deep bath tube u got there

[@christinsorianojr.9929]

Or always have a spare full propane tank right?

[@bnegs521]

Mine has a meter. Makes it easy

[@burre01]

I'm slightly confused whenever i hear propane mentioned, in sweden we have a gas called "Gasol" translated on google to "Gas" that we use for grills, caravans and all other home heating, or cooking application, we don't use the gas "Propane" or (Propån in swedish) are the gasses similiar? /confused swedish person.

[@mryoyo7741]

not similar in boiling temp. but all flammable.

[@me-vx4wi]

Hank Hill approves

[@JIUNnF]

ugh Это по этой причине у него ржавеет резьба.

[@LS-bw7jt]

Dang it Bobby

[@mike91118]

naw really im just going to keep it on and what for a big boom

[@vincentgrippi9524]

Find the weight of an empty tank , you can do this with a bathroom scale , have the tank filled and weigh it again on the scale , this is the way I like to check

[@jonedwards2107]

I use gas in my smoker. Run a 30 lb tank. Lasts a LONG time. My grilling is charcoal. Always have several bags on hand. Do occasionally wonder.

[@susanhenderson2322]

I learned many life skills from KOTH, hank really let us down on this

[@bodeine454]

There should be a temperature guage strip that you could apply to the tank that'll tell the difference in temperature instead of just relying on feel, something more accurate.

[@DemocratsRPedos]

Or you can pick it up and see how lite it is, or have a second tank on standby.

[@jeffstieren4474]

How about weighing it ! And always have a back up on hand.

[@russtpecker10]

Wal mart sells fuel tank gauges

[@lawrencegolba2244]

Buy a U-Haul tank with a guage. U-Haul charges only for the amount it takes to fill.

[@JDye-youtube]

I never run out….cuz that second bottle is right there saying “Let me in Coach, let me in”.

[@MrThecanuck]

I hooked my BBQ to the gas line. Got rid of the tank. No hassel. Don't have to refill tanks.

[@PandaBooxX]

For better results, pour Doritos consomme around the tank for a western kick.

[@andrewvuno]

i want that shirt.

[@davidgentz1731]

That's a good tip liquid propane is like refrigerant

[@jamesspalten5977]

It is used as refrigerant in off grid applications.

[@kaiman5307]

I just have spare tank , when I run out I switch to new tank

[@user-qd5kx7yo6s]

Quite clever

[@daviddarby3738]

Just use your luggage scale to hook and lift. Very accurate.

[@Kevin_wiIiams]

Try using a Doritos Consommé to give your propane tank a southwestern kick.

[@Rturroo]

just get the bathroom scale! :P

[@nikitaw1982]

Have a second tank. A refill is same price wether tank empty or quarter full.

[@LS-bw7jt]

Buck Strickland

[@roymcgaw7431]

A little over the top when you consider running out of propane to be an “embarrassing disaster”, or any sort of disaster, really. Cool hack, though.

[@rsmolkin]

Does weighing a tank help? I weighed a full 15-lb tank and it was 33lbs, but my used tank is 23lbs, does it mean i have 5lbs of propane still in it?

[@tightwad]

33-23=10. ÷ 4.2lb gallon = 2.4 gallons used/2.1 gallons left or 8.8lbs ...... But,,,,,ALWAYS keep a spare, of EVERYTHING!

[@PaulinDevonUK]

The tanks are never full to the top so do this with a full one first if you wish to work out the hours remaining. Hours remaining will depend on a LOT of factors such as the burner size and how much it is turned up. 20 hours sounds fine but the style of B-B-Q and how you use it will make huge differences.

[@goodyear2602]

you can throw it in the fire: big explosion: a lot of gas; small explosion: ...meh...