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

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  • Опубліковано 25 лип 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.
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 227

  • @hinder90
    @hinder90 5 років тому +199

    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 роки тому +7

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

    • @Ra20r97
      @Ra20r97 Рік тому +3

      You, me and 1 million other people haha 😂

    • @JulezNDrumz
      @JulezNDrumz 11 місяців тому +1

      Here, here...Bobby!

    • @rayray8687
      @rayray8687 4 місяці тому

      @@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 4 місяці тому

      @@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 2 місяці тому +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 років тому +52

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

  • @Javynoza
    @Javynoza 7 років тому +169

    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 років тому +11

      Just when I've convinced myself that UA-cam 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 роки тому +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 роки тому +4

      aceg81 That boy ain’t right

    • @LS-bw7jt
      @LS-bw7jt 3 роки тому

      Haha the man himself

    • @ShawnJonesHellion
      @ShawnJonesHellion 2 роки тому

      @@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 Рік тому +20

    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 роки тому +5

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

  • @user-jf4om2xx7x
    @user-jf4om2xx7x Рік тому

    Perfect! Exactly what I needed to know. Thanks.

  • @warrenproductions4228
    @warrenproductions4228 4 роки тому +26

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

  • @NaughtyT
    @NaughtyT 12 років тому +35

    Pro Tip: Keep a second tank...

  • @monkeyman522
    @monkeyman522 10 років тому +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 років тому +7

      But how much does the tank weigh?

    • @brucetoohey4510
      @brucetoohey4510 5 років тому +13

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

    • @annemariebenoit4263
      @annemariebenoit4263 5 років тому +3

      @@brucetoohey4510 thanks!

  • @urkoolUncle
    @urkoolUncle 6 років тому +2

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

  • @bradygalo3828
    @bradygalo3828 9 років тому

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

  • @TheViciousVendetta
    @TheViciousVendetta 12 років тому +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!

  • @ryanstellar1
    @ryanstellar1 9 років тому

    Excellent advice. Very practical

  • @samurai1833
    @samurai1833 2 роки тому

    Great tip! thanks!

  • @RandyGiven
    @RandyGiven 2 місяці тому

    Good tip. Thanks!

  • @donprosser7039
    @donprosser7039 4 роки тому

    Awesome tip!

  • @wesg3084
    @wesg3084 4 роки тому

    Nice. I'm going to try this.

  • @JTstag
    @JTstag 10 років тому

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

  • @johnbolt665
    @johnbolt665 Рік тому +4

    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!

  • @user-ye9ph5iq5z
    @user-ye9ph5iq5z 4 роки тому

    Good tip thanks

  • @akashmasne5102
    @akashmasne5102 5 років тому

    life saver hackzzz. thanks !!

  • @richardalvarado9807
    @richardalvarado9807 Рік тому

    Thanks again!

  • @kingstonrjsp
    @kingstonrjsp 12 років тому

    awesome tip

  • @FinnProp
    @FinnProp 4 роки тому +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.

  • @iljasanio4702
    @iljasanio4702 4 роки тому

    amazing! totally works

  • @mattwaters6987
    @mattwaters6987 4 місяці тому

    Good advice.

  • @lauragimby2409
    @lauragimby2409 2 роки тому

    Brilliant!

  • @Mr.56Goldtop
    @Mr.56Goldtop 2 місяці тому

    That's a great tip!

  • @shantelhamilton3086
    @shantelhamilton3086 3 роки тому

    Thank you brother

  • @greenmonkeypoo321
    @greenmonkeypoo321 12 років тому

    this is a pretty clever tip!

  • @joannhopkins689
    @joannhopkins689 9 років тому

    Thanks that's awesome

  • @ramirovaldes4889
    @ramirovaldes4889 Місяць тому

    Thank you 🙏🏻

  • @tokeme01
    @tokeme01 3 роки тому

    That was just an awesome video

  • @kevs6974
    @kevs6974 7 років тому

    Wow. This is interesting

  • @KnownTK
    @KnownTK 12 років тому

    AWESOME.

  • @bldbar118
    @bldbar118 12 років тому +7

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

  • @paulcook7888
    @paulcook7888 4 місяці тому +6

    You can also weigh the tank
    Empty Tank weighs 20 pounds

    • @johnhudelson2652
      @johnhudelson2652 2 місяці тому

      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 2 місяці тому +1

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

  • @LybioNews
    @LybioNews 12 років тому +1

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

    • @annemariebenoit4263
      @annemariebenoit4263 5 років тому

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

  • @rubyokosi8377
    @rubyokosi8377 4 роки тому

    Thanks pal😄

  • @WXUZT
    @WXUZT 2 місяці тому

    Brilliant ❤

  • @robertmorris2564
    @robertmorris2564 5 років тому +1

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

  • @yik555
    @yik555 11 років тому +5

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

  • @AudioFreqx
    @AudioFreqx Місяць тому +1

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

  • @Ionizap
    @Ionizap 7 років тому

    Check by weight as suggested below by previous posters.

  • @cold02rex
    @cold02rex 12 років тому

    yessssss!

  • @richardalvarado9807
    @richardalvarado9807 2 роки тому

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

  • @mmmcumyum
    @mmmcumyum 12 років тому +2

    His eyebrows have so much compassion

    • @annemariebenoit4263
      @annemariebenoit4263 5 років тому

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

  • @boortbeatz9024
    @boortbeatz9024 6 років тому

    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

  • @franklin76
    @franklin76 2 місяці тому

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

  • @latviandude
    @latviandude 12 років тому +2

    Was that flame in the background at 0:20 ?

  • @aloo20
    @aloo20 12 років тому +1

    Thats what I do :)

  • @Gonzie6
    @Gonzie6 12 років тому

    does this work the same with butane?

  • @MrSnuka3000
    @MrSnuka3000 12 років тому

    Dang it bobby!

  • @ischannel8875
    @ischannel8875 Рік тому +1

    Hank hill's seal of approval

  • @KaraRangihuna23
    @KaraRangihuna23 2 роки тому

    Omg this actually worked

  • @royrice8021
    @royrice8021 2 місяці тому

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

  • @631strongislandkid
    @631strongislandkid 3 місяці тому +1

    You can also look for the condomsation line

    • @malcolmwhite6588
      @malcolmwhite6588 2 місяці тому

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

    • @hankd18
      @hankd18 2 місяці тому

      I like that

  • @imKyleZA
    @imKyleZA 3 роки тому +2

    Just weight the thing....

  • @tomikallela4562
    @tomikallela4562 9 років тому

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

  • @richarddecker9515
    @richarddecker9515 Місяць тому

    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

  • @bnegs521
    @bnegs521 Місяць тому

    Mine has a meter. Makes it easy

  • @RS-pq5mo
    @RS-pq5mo 2 місяці тому +1

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

  • @zikorahofficial
    @zikorahofficial 2 роки тому

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

  • @vincentgrippi9524
    @vincentgrippi9524 Рік тому

    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

  • @me-vx4wi
    @me-vx4wi 10 років тому +23

    Hank Hill approves

    • @JIUNnF
      @JIUNnF 9 років тому

      ugh Это по этой причине у него ржавеет резьба.

    • @LS-bw7jt
      @LS-bw7jt 2 роки тому

      Dang it Bobby

  • @MelodyMan69
    @MelodyMan69 2 місяці тому

    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. 🇦🇺

  • @susanhenderson2322
    @susanhenderson2322 2 місяці тому

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

  • @trinkabuszczuk6138
    @trinkabuszczuk6138 2 місяці тому

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

  • @robertnewzealand
    @robertnewzealand 6 років тому +1

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

    • @kailuigi3793
      @kailuigi3793 5 років тому +2

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

  • @radiocontrolled9181
    @radiocontrolled9181 2 місяці тому

    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.

  • @davidgentz1731
    @davidgentz1731 4 місяці тому

    That's a good tip liquid propane is like refrigerant

    • @jamesspalten5977
      @jamesspalten5977 2 місяці тому

      It is used as refrigerant in off grid applications.

  • @jonedwards2107
    @jonedwards2107 Рік тому

    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.

  • @bodeine454
    @bodeine454 2 місяці тому

    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.

  • @russtpecker10
    @russtpecker10 2 місяці тому +1

    Wal mart sells fuel tank gauges

  • @burre01
    @burre01 6 років тому

    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
      @mryoyo7741 5 років тому

      not similar in boiling temp. but all flammable.

  • @christinsorianojr.9929
    @christinsorianojr.9929 2 місяці тому +1

    Or always have a spare full propane tank right?

  • @daviddarby3738
    @daviddarby3738 4 роки тому +2

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

  • @kaiman5307
    @kaiman5307 4 роки тому +2

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

  • @JDye-youtube
    @JDye-youtube 2 місяці тому

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

  • @jeffstieren4474
    @jeffstieren4474 4 роки тому +1

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

  • @mike91118
    @mike91118 12 років тому +2

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

  • @DemocratsRPedos
    @DemocratsRPedos 2 місяці тому

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

  • @rsmolkin
    @rsmolkin 5 місяців тому

    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 3 місяці тому

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

  • @MrThecanuck
    @MrThecanuck 12 років тому

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

  • @andrewvuno
    @andrewvuno 12 років тому

    i want that shirt.

  • @Rturroo
    @Rturroo 12 років тому +1

    just get the bathroom scale! :P

  • @PandaBooxX
    @PandaBooxX 11 років тому

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

  • @David-lo1fo
    @David-lo1fo 2 місяці тому

    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.

  • @lawrencegolba2244
    @lawrencegolba2244 2 місяці тому

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

  • @goodyear2602
    @goodyear2602 12 років тому +2

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

  • @hashimsalim2665
    @hashimsalim2665 2 місяці тому

    😀

  • @Kevin_wiIiams
    @Kevin_wiIiams 12 років тому

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

  • @ToddMcDonald-zh4ym
    @ToddMcDonald-zh4ym 2 місяці тому +1

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

  • @PaulinDevonUK
    @PaulinDevonUK 12 років тому +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.

  • @dixonsherolda4964
    @dixonsherolda4964 Рік тому

    19 litre

  • @LS-bw7jt
    @LS-bw7jt 3 роки тому

    Dang ole Hank Hill man

  • @user-qd5kx7yo6s
    @user-qd5kx7yo6s 2 місяці тому

    Quite clever

  • @GByrne-qd3px
    @GByrne-qd3px 2 місяці тому

    It's not a disaster.

  • @sharpkeet
    @sharpkeet 12 років тому

    PROPANE AND PROPANE ACCESSORIES