How Long Will My Propane Grill Tank Last?

Make sure you never run out of propane

Whether you’re having your crew over for the big game and some BBQ, or you’re just grilling something for family dinner, you don’t want to run out of propane. While most portable tanks don’t come with a gauge, a good rule of thumb is that a standard 20-pound portable propane tank should get you through about 25 grilling sessions. But who keeps track of how often they use their grill?

The good news is that there are easier ways to make sure you don’t run out of propane than marking it down on a calendar every time you grill.

Here’s three ways to make sure you never run out.

1. Water Trick: Fill a small bucket with hot tap water and pour it down the side of the cylinder. Then run your hand down the side of the tank and find the point where it turns cool. That’s the level of the gas. (The liquid propane inside the tank absorbs heat from the water, which makes the metal wall of the tank cool to the touch.)
2. Weight Check: Check the cylinder for markings that let you know the “tare weight” or TW, the weight of the tank when empty. A 20-pound tank usually weighs about 17 pounds when empty. To calculate how much propane is in the tank, place the cylinder on a scale (a basic bathroom scale will work) and subtract the tare weight from the amount shown on the scale. So, if your 20-pound cylinder weighs 27 pounds, and the tare weight is 17, you have 10 pounds of propane or about half a tank. Or, pick up a digital propane tank scale at your local hardware store. Most come with a digital app to let you know when it’s time for a fill-up.
3. Add a Gauge: You can buy a gauge to install between the gas line from the grill and the cut-off valve on the tank. It will measure the pressure and show you how full the tank is.
4. Keep a Spare: The easiest way to make sure you always have enough propane on hand to fire up the grill is to keep an extra tank on hand.

Refill or Exchange?

What’s the difference between refilling or exchanging your portable propane tank? It’s mostly a matter of preference. Some people appreciate the swap-and-go convenience of cylinder exchange. But savvy customers love the ease and the savings they get by refilling.

When you own your propane tank and refill it, you can save money in a few ways.

First, you’ll save on the price of the propane. The difference can be up to $1.75 per gallon!

You also save because you’ll pay only for the propane you use. When you choose to refill your propane tank, you’re only buying the propane to fill the rest of your cylinder.

With cylinder exchange, you’re charged for all the propane in the cylinder—including the propane left in the tank when you take it to be exchanged. Because think about it: When you think your propane cylinder is starting to run low, your instinct is to take it in to exchange before you run out. So unless you run them until they’re completely empty, you could be wasting half a tank or more over the span of a few tanks.

Where to Get Easy Refills or Exchanges

Admiral makes it easy to refill your tanks at our Blountville and Greeneville locations, or exchange for our propane at multiple other locations across the Tri-Cities area.

We offer propane tank refills for a variety of sizes, including 20-pound cylinders most folks use for grills, patio heaters, and mosquito traps, up to 100- pound cylinders.

Ready to fire up the grill? Contact us to learn more about our propane refill stations today—we’ve got a convenient location near you.