How to check your propane levels

[carlkeigley]

Easy way to check your propane tank levels
with no extra tools........

[Video] A Little Trick To Know How Much Propane In Tank In Less Than 1 Minute If You Don't Have A Scale On Your Grill. - Brilliant DIY

[Samwise]

I'm going to try this!

[KevinScamps]

Much better idea. Costs $20 and always installed. I test for leaks every time I turn on the gas.

[The Minimalist]

I've been checking my propane like that for a long time. Quick, simple and $0.

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by KevinScamps

Much better idea. Costs $20 and always installed. I test for leaks every time I turn on the gas.

Better because it costs more, or better because it adds another potential leak point?

More accurate? Maybe.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by KevinScamps

Much better idea. Costs $20 and always installed. I test for leaks every time I turn on the gas.

I've got one of those, anybody want it. It's really good at telling you when the tank is empty. So the burner doesn't light you look at the gauge to confirm what you already knew, your tank is empty.

I've used a $3.95 liquid crystal strip for years and a cup of hot water. Now I have a tank with built in float and gauge. So far it seems to work pretty well. Just your gas gauge on your tow vehicle you need to get a mental calibration.

[sokhapkin]

Originally Posted by KevinScamps

Much better idea. Costs $20 and always installed. I test for leaks every time I turn on the gas.

Propane pressure gauge shows if there is propane left in the tank or not. But unfortunately it never shows the actual propane level in the tank.

[David Tilston]

Why not just lift it up and shake it?

Manchester sells a tank with a float gauge.

I use a forklift tank, with a float gauge.

Pressure gauges will read differently on a hot day vs. a cold day.

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by David Tilston

Why not just lift it up and shake it?

Because it is BOLTED to the tongue of the trailer..

[David Tilston]

Gordon, Bolted? The tanks on the trailers I have, that don't have a forklift tank, are held on with an easily released big wing nut.

But I was really referring to the video. He was holding the tank.

Sorry to have frustrated you.

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by David Tilston

Gordon, Bolted? The tanks on the trailers I have, that don't have a forklift tank, are held on with an easily released big wing nut.

But I was really referring to the video. He was holding the tank.

Sorry to have frustrated you.

I see!.. But I was generalizing, not specific to the video.

In fact, on my pop up, the tank was not only bolted on, but the bolts were real hard to get to. I always meant to get a quick release mount.

I've never found an easy and (very) accurate way to gauge the amount of propane left. I would carry two tanks if tongue weight was not an issue. The hot water method is not too bad for letting me know if I should carry a spare tank, maybe half full.

[David Tilston]

You really should look into a Manchester 20 lb tank with a float gauge.

[The Minimalist]

Originally Posted by David Tilston

Why not just lift it up and shake it?

I tried that David. Threw my back out. My wife had to put everything back in the cabinets. Scared the h**l out of the dog!

I knew I had propane in the tank, but I still didn't know how much.

[Glenn Baglo]

My buddy and I both had propane gauges that he got at Costco and both of us stopped using them when we decided that the gauge was impeding flow of propane to our Qs. I'd send you one, but it was tossed in the garbage some time ago.
I now use a luggage scale or boiling water.

[rdickens]

Amazon.com sells a magnetic stick-on strip for the tank that changes color when the hot water is poured over it. ☺

Ray

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Fiberglass RV mobile app

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by rdickens

Amazon.com sells a magnetic stick-on strip for the tank that changes color when the hot water is poured over it. ☺

Ray

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Fiberglass RV mobile app

Yes, Amazon sells THIS ONE and THIS ONE, and both get pretty bad reviews.

[C&G in FL]

My gauge is such:
When I pays the money, I know the tank is full. When the flames go out, it's time to pay mo' money. In between those two times, I really don't care, don't stress about it, and wouldn't bother heating water to find out. I always have a full back-up tank.


Sent from my iPhone using Fiberglass RV

[gordon2]

Originally Posted by CPW

.... I really don't care, don't stress about it.... I always have a full back-up tank..

If I had a second tank then I would feel the same, but not everyone carries a second tank.. and some of us with only one tank really don't want to be 40 miles from the nearest propane supply when it gets bone chilling cold or the expensive steaks in the fridge get too warm.

There really does seem to be an expanding thread in these threads.. "If it works for me, it should work for you."

[Glenn Baglo]

Originally Posted by gordon2

There really does seem to be an expanding thread in these threads.. "If it works for me, it should work for you."

I think there are several of us who have said "It doesn't work for me, and probably won't work for you"

[C&G in FL]

Originally Posted by gordon2

If I had a second tank then I would feel the same, but not everyone carries a second tank.. and some of us with only one tank really don't want to be 40 miles from the nearest propane supply when it gets bone chilling cold or the expensive steaks in the fridge get too warm.

There really does seem to be an expanding thread in these threads.. "If it works for me, it should work for you."

Precisely why I carry a second source of propane so I (note I said "I' meaning "ME") do not find myself 40 miles from the nearest source of propane when the tank runs out unexpectedly, because to ME that is "living on the edge." I also fill the tow vehicle's tank when the indicated range drops to 100 miles.

And I do not know how or why you would make the connection "If it works for me, it should work for you." I merely stated how I (that's ME) gauged the amount of propane in my tank.....I don't. I have a contingency. When the tank runs out, I switch to the second and get the empty refilled. I in no way inferred, implied, or suggested that anyone else should carry a second tank. In reality, I don't give a rat's hiney if you freeze or ruin your steaks because you ran out of propane. I'm more concerned that I don't run out, so I do what works for me and not what works for someone else. Simply put, if you only carry one tank and you run it dry somewhere out in the boonies, then you have no one to blame but yourself.