How can we know how much propane is left in the tank if we don’t have a gauge?—Denise Mazerolle Mallet, via Facebook
“The easiest way to find out how much propane you have left is the ol’ hot water trick,” say grilling and outdoor cooking experts (and past Cottage Life Show presenters) Maddie and Kiki Longo. Here’s how it’s done: fill a large cup or a bucket with hot water (run your faucet until the water is hot—don’t use boiling water), then pour the water over the tank. “Slowly run your hand down the side of the tank, noting where it feels cold—that’s where your propane level is,” say the Longo sisters. Curious about the science behind it? The trick works because the propane in the tank absorbs the warmth of the water, leaving the metal of the tank feeling cold.
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Another option is to weigh your tank to get a sense of how much is left. See those numbers etched into the handle? Look for the one labelled TW, which stands for tare weight. That’s the weight of your tank when it’s empty. Weigh your tank, and subtract the tare weight from its current weight—this is how many pounds of propane are inside. Most full tanks have about 20 pounds of propane.
This article was originally published in the August 2023 issue of Cottage Life.
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