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

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  • Опубликовано: 28 авг 2024
  • 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.

Комментарии • 226

  • @hinder90
    @hinder90 5 лет назад +208

    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
      @sherrytelle 2 года назад +7

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

    • @Ra20r97
      @Ra20r97 Год назад +3

      You, me and 1 million other people haha 😂

    • @JulezNDrumz
      @JulezNDrumz Год назад +1

      Here, here...Bobby!

    • @rayray8687
      @rayray8687 5 месяцев назад

      @@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
      @sherrytelle 5 месяцев назад

      @@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
    @charliehorsenm3446 3 месяца назад +8

    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.

  • @chasmarischen4459
    @chasmarischen4459 6 лет назад +53

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

  • @Javynoza
    @Javynoza 7 лет назад +174

    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
      @aceg81 5 лет назад +11

      Just when I've convinced myself that RUclips 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
      @PrimeObserver-1 4 года назад +2

      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
      @Javynoza 4 года назад +4

      aceg81 That boy ain’t right

    • @LS-bw7jt
      @LS-bw7jt 4 года назад

      Haha the man himself

    • @ShawnJonesHellion
      @ShawnJonesHellion 2 года назад

      @@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

  • @JosephByrne
    @JosephByrne 2 года назад +22

    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.

  • @dogchaser520
    @dogchaser520 2 года назад +5

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

  • @monkeyman522
    @monkeyman522 10 лет назад +44

    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
      @annemariebenoit4263 5 лет назад +7

      But how much does the tank weigh?

    • @brucetoohey4510
      @brucetoohey4510 5 лет назад +13

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

    • @annemariebenoit4263
      @annemariebenoit4263 5 лет назад +3

      @@brucetoohey4510 thanks!

  • @johnbolt665
    @johnbolt665 2 года назад +5

    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
    @FinnProp 4 года назад +4

    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.

  • @NaughtyT
    @NaughtyT 12 лет назад +36

    Pro Tip: Keep a second tank...

  • @paulcook7888
    @paulcook7888 5 месяцев назад +6

    You can also weigh the tank
    Empty Tank weighs 20 pounds

    • @johnhudelson2652
      @johnhudelson2652 3 месяца назад

      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
      @kevinmcdonald1917 3 месяца назад +1

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

  • @warrenproductions4228
    @warrenproductions4228 4 года назад +26

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

  • @AudioFreqx
    @AudioFreqx 2 месяца назад +1

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

  • @bldbar118
    @bldbar118 12 лет назад +7

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

  • @urkoolUncle
    @urkoolUncle 6 лет назад +2

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

  • @mmmcumyum
    @mmmcumyum 12 лет назад +2

    His eyebrows have so much compassion

    • @annemariebenoit4263
      @annemariebenoit4263 5 лет назад

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

  • @TheViciousVendetta
    @TheViciousVendetta 12 лет назад +1

    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!

  • @LybioNews
    @LybioNews 12 лет назад +1

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

    • @annemariebenoit4263
      @annemariebenoit4263 5 лет назад

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

  • @RandyGiven
    @RandyGiven 3 месяца назад

    Good tip. Thanks!

  • @ramirovaldes4889
    @ramirovaldes4889 2 месяца назад

    Thank you 🙏🏻

  • @mattwaters6987
    @mattwaters6987 6 месяцев назад

    Good advice.

  • @Mr.56Goldtop
    @Mr.56Goldtop 3 месяца назад

    That's a great tip!

  • @RS-pq5mo
    @RS-pq5mo 3 месяца назад +1

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

  • @user-jf4om2xx7x
    @user-jf4om2xx7x Год назад

    Perfect! Exactly what I needed to know. Thanks.

  • @ischannel8875
    @ischannel8875 Год назад +1

    Hank hill's seal of approval

  • @631strongislandkid
    @631strongislandkid 4 месяца назад +1

    You can also look for the condomsation line

    • @malcolmwhite6588
      @malcolmwhite6588 3 месяца назад

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

    • @hankd18
      @hankd18 3 месяца назад

      I like that

  • @imKyleZA
    @imKyleZA 3 года назад +2

    Just weight the thing....

  • @robertmorris2564
    @robertmorris2564 5 лет назад +1

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

  • @richarddecker9515
    @richarddecker9515 2 месяца назад

    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

  • @bradygalo3828
    @bradygalo3828 9 лет назад

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

  • @shantelhamilton3086
    @shantelhamilton3086 3 года назад

    Thank you brother

  • @richardalvarado9807
    @richardalvarado9807 Год назад

    Thanks again!

  • @wesg3084
    @wesg3084 5 лет назад

    Nice. I'm going to try this.

  • @user-ye9ph5iq5z
    @user-ye9ph5iq5z 4 года назад

    Good tip thanks

  • @bnegs521
    @bnegs521 3 месяца назад

    Mine has a meter. Makes it easy

  • @franklin76
    @franklin76 3 месяца назад

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

  • @user-qd5kx7yo6s
    @user-qd5kx7yo6s 3 месяца назад

    Quite clever

  • @yik555
    @yik555 11 лет назад +5

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

  • @samurai1833
    @samurai1833 2 года назад

    Great tip! thanks!

  • @lauragimby2409
    @lauragimby2409 2 года назад

    Brilliant!

  • @iljasanio4702
    @iljasanio4702 4 года назад

    amazing! totally works

  • @royrice8021
    @royrice8021 3 месяца назад

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

  • @JTstag
    @JTstag 10 лет назад

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

  • @rubyokosi8377
    @rubyokosi8377 4 года назад

    Thanks pal😄

  • @donprosser7039
    @donprosser7039 4 года назад

    Awesome tip!

  • @christinsorianojr.9929
    @christinsorianojr.9929 3 месяца назад +1

    Or always have a spare full propane tank right?

  • @WXUZT
    @WXUZT 3 месяца назад

    Brilliant ❤

  • @greenmonkeypoo321
    @greenmonkeypoo321 12 лет назад

    this is a pretty clever tip!

  • @radiocontrolled9181
    @radiocontrolled9181 3 месяца назад

    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.

  • @David-lo1fo
    @David-lo1fo 3 месяца назад

    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.

  • @trinkabuszczuk6138
    @trinkabuszczuk6138 3 месяца назад

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

  • @ryanstellar1
    @ryanstellar1 9 лет назад

    Excellent advice. Very practical

  • @akashmasne5102
    @akashmasne5102 5 лет назад

    life saver hackzzz. thanks !!

  • @russtpecker10
    @russtpecker10 3 месяца назад +1

    Wal mart sells fuel tank gauges

  • @kingstonrjsp
    @kingstonrjsp 12 лет назад

    awesome tip

  • @Ionizap
    @Ionizap 7 лет назад

    Check by weight as suggested below by previous posters.

  • @kevs6974
    @kevs6974 7 лет назад

    Wow. This is interesting

  • @vincentgrippi9524
    @vincentgrippi9524 Год назад

    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

  • @bodeine454
    @bodeine454 3 месяца назад

    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.

  • @latviandude
    @latviandude 12 лет назад +2

    Was that flame in the background at 0:20 ?

  • @davidgentz1731
    @davidgentz1731 5 месяцев назад

    That's a good tip liquid propane is like refrigerant

    • @jamesspalten5977
      @jamesspalten5977 3 месяца назад

      It is used as refrigerant in off grid applications.

  • @tokeme01
    @tokeme01 3 года назад

    That was just an awesome video

  • @richardalvarado9807
    @richardalvarado9807 2 года назад

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

  • @DemocratsRPedos
    @DemocratsRPedos 3 месяца назад

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

  • @jeffstieren4474
    @jeffstieren4474 4 года назад +1

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

  • @susanhenderson2322
    @susanhenderson2322 3 месяца назад

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

  • @trevorsgaragemusings
    @trevorsgaragemusings 3 года назад +2

    easier to weigh it when you get it home and then when in doubt weigh it before you start. 20 pound tanks hold ... you guessed it, 20 pounds of propane.

  • @KaraRangihuna23
    @KaraRangihuna23 2 года назад

    Omg this actually worked

  • @robertnewzealand
    @robertnewzealand 6 лет назад +1

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

    • @kailuigi3793
      @kailuigi3793 5 лет назад +2

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

  • @joannhopkins689
    @joannhopkins689 9 лет назад

    Thanks that's awesome

  • @jonedwards2107
    @jonedwards2107 Год назад

    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.

  • @PaulinDevonUK
    @PaulinDevonUK 12 лет назад +4

    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.

  • @GByrne-qd3px
    @GByrne-qd3px 3 месяца назад

    It's not a disaster.

  • @KnownTK
    @KnownTK 12 лет назад

    AWESOME.

  • @daviddarby3738
    @daviddarby3738 4 года назад +2

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

  • @me-vx4wi
    @me-vx4wi 10 лет назад +23

    Hank Hill approves

    • @JIUNnF
      @JIUNnF 9 лет назад

      ugh Это по этой причине у него ржавеет резьба.

    • @LS-bw7jt
      @LS-bw7jt 2 года назад

      Dang it Bobby

  • @lawrencegolba2244
    @lawrencegolba2244 3 месяца назад

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

  • @kaiman5307
    @kaiman5307 4 года назад +2

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

  • @aloo20
    @aloo20 12 лет назад +1

    Thats what I do :)

  • @rayray8687
    @rayray8687 5 месяцев назад +1

    Omg folks, just buy a $20 gauge and you’ll be set for life. The comments here are almost comical.

  • @zikorahofficial
    @zikorahofficial 2 года назад

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

  • @MrThecanuck
    @MrThecanuck 12 лет назад

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

  • @rsmolkin
    @rsmolkin 6 месяцев назад

    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
      @tightwad 4 месяца назад

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

  • @JDye-youtube
    @JDye-youtube 3 месяца назад

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

  • @mike91118
    @mike91118 12 лет назад +2

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

  • @MrSnuka3000
    @MrSnuka3000 12 лет назад

    Dang it bobby!

  • @tomikallela4562
    @tomikallela4562 9 лет назад

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

  • @boortbeatz9024
    @boortbeatz9024 6 лет назад

    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

  • @nikitaw1982
    @nikitaw1982 Год назад

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

  • @goodyear2602
    @goodyear2602 12 лет назад +2

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

  • @roymcgaw7431
    @roymcgaw7431 3 месяца назад

    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.

  • @dixonsherolda4964
    @dixonsherolda4964 Год назад

    19 litre

  • @sharpkeet
    @sharpkeet 12 лет назад

    PROPANE AND PROPANE ACCESSORIES

  • @MARKALANPALMER
    @MARKALANPALMER 5 лет назад

    I tell you what

  • @LS-bw7jt
    @LS-bw7jt 2 года назад

    Buck Strickland

  • @cold02rex
    @cold02rex 12 лет назад

    yessssss!

  • @myjizzureye
    @myjizzureye 12 лет назад

    Looks like this guy could give quite a detailed talk on what to do with pork sausages....

  • @Gonzie6
    @Gonzie6 12 лет назад

    does this work the same with butane?

  • @Rturroo
    @Rturroo 12 лет назад +1

    just get the bathroom scale! :P

  • @Kevin_wiIiams
    @Kevin_wiIiams 12 лет назад

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