Grilling season has arrived! But what if you suddenly find yourself with an empty propane tank? OR want to know how much does an empty propane tank weigh?
A propane tank is essential to getting a gas grill going. A propane tank is a container that stores propane in the form of liquefied petroleum gas.
It is used to fuel outdoor grills, camp stoves, and other cooking appliances. Propane tanks are also known as LP gas tanks or LPG tanks.
Related > > Where to store the propane tank? (9 Propane tank safety tips)
In this grillcuisines.com guide, we’ll cover
- How much does an empty propane tank weigh
- How to calculate the approximate weight of a propane tank
- how to check home propane tank levels
How Much Does An Empty Propane Tank Weigh?
The most common type of propane tank used for the grill is the 20-pounder, which can be found at hardware stores and big-box retailers. The 20 pounds propane tank contains about 4.7 gallons (21.36 liters) of liquid propane. One gallon of propane weighs 4.2 pounds and weighs about 19.74 pounds (8.9 kilograms). Propane cylinders can weigh as little as 17 pounds when they’re empty and a full propane tank weight up to 37 pounds.
Propane tanks are marked in one of three ways: in pounds, gallons, or cubic feet.
The size of the tank is typically determined by the amount of propane needed for a household and varies depending on how much propane we need for each use.
Propane tanks all have a “tare weight” also known as “TW” printed on their collar, which is the weight of the tank when it’s empty.
How much does a 20 lb propane tank weigh when full?
To figure out how much does a full 20 lb propane tank weighs, simply add 20 pounds to the tare weight. So if your propane tank has a tare weight of 17, then a full propane tank weight should be about 37 pounds.
How much does a 15 lb propane tank weigh full?
The weight of a 15 lb propane tank when full will vary depending on the actual weight of the tank itself and the level of propane inside the tank.
To figure out how much does a 15 lb propane tank weigh full, simply add 15 pounds to the tare weight. So if your propane tank has a tare weight of 17, then a full propane tank weight should be about 37 pounds.
You may get a pound or two less depending on the temperature of the tank and surrounding air when the tank was filled. Cooler means more propane in, and hotter means less in.
Tanks are designed with 20% extra space which is for when the temperature rises. This space is usually not to carry extra propane.
There are a variety of different sizes of propane tanks that can be found on the market. You can find both standard 20 lb and 100 lb tanks, in addition to larger tanks for residential use. These include 100 gallons, 250 gallons, and 500 gallons.
Propane has a gravity of around 0.51, which means that 1 gallon of propane weighs approximately 4.24 pounds.
1 gallon of propane equals 4.2 pounds
The tank is at 80% capacity. The Actual Propane Content in the tank should be only 80% – 90% of the total.
Example: A 100 gallon tank contains 80 gallons of propane. This is for safety reasons; higher temperatures expand the propane and a full 100% could create too high of pressure on the propane tank.
To find out how long a residential propane tank will last, you need to know the BTU content of your fuel. A BTU, or British Thermal Unit, is a measure of the heat energy released from a fuel.
Approximately one BTU is the amount of heat that is required to increase the temperature of one pound of water by a single degree F.
To use a metric, we need to convert from gallons to BTUs.
1 gallon of propane = 91,500 BTU
91,500 BTU/gallon = 8.1 hours of usage
How much does a gallon of propane weigh?
Propane Tank Weight Chart
Below, you will find the propane tank weight chart for common propane sizes to help you choose the one that best suits your needs.
| Propane tank | 20 Pound Propane Tank | 100 Pound Propane Tank | 100 Gallon Propane Tank | 250 Gallon Propane Tank | 500 Gallon Propane Tank |
| Propane Content | 19.74 Pounds | 98 Pounds | 418 Pounds | 1048 Pounds | 2098 Pounds |
| Empty Tank Weight | 17 pounds | 67 Pounds | 212 pounds | 483 Pounds | 949 Pounds |
| Full Tank Weight | 37 Pounds | 165 pounds | 630 Pounds | 1531 Pounds | 3047 Pounds |
| Propane Tank BTU Content | 344,470 BTUs | 1,722,350 BTUs | 7,320,000 BTUs | 18,300,000 BTUs | 45,750,000BTUs |
| Can Generate 10,000 BTU/h | 36 Hours | 7 Days | 32 Days | 78 Days | 193 Days |
How much does a 100lb propane tank weigh full?
A 100 lb tank can hold roughly 23.6 gallons of propane and weighs somewhere between 165 lbs to 170lbs
How much does a 30 pound propane tank weigh full?
The full weight of a 30-pound propane tank is 50 pounds when it is completely filled. The tare weight of the tank is 19.2 pounds. Adding 30 pounds to the TW gives 50 pounds.
How much does a full 5 gallon propane tank weigh?
The full weight of a 5 gallon propane tank is 35.8 pounds when it is completely filled. The tare weight of the tank is 14.8 pounds. While 5 gallons equals 21 pounds. Adding 21 pounds to the TW gives 35.8 pounds.
How To Check Propane Tank Level: 4 Tips
I know how frustrating it can be when your propane tank runs out of gas when you’re grilling dinner, especially when it happens without warning. I’m sharing a few tips that will help you check the Propane Tank Level before your next barbecue so that you can be sure there’s enough gas!
1: Quickest Way To Tell Propane Tank Level Is Using Hot Water
This just might be my favorite tip. It’s fast and easy, and all you need is ais a bit of hot water to estimate the fill level of your propane tank.
Just pour some hot water on the outside of the propane tank at a slow and steady rate.
Run your hand down the tank and feel for a cold spot to indicate where there is air in your tank. As the tank is made of metal, the hot water will warm it up while the liquified propane will remain cool.
You’re likely to feel a change in temperature as you move your hand from top to bottom. If the cool line is at a depth of about half the height of the tank, then it’s about halfway full.
Just wanted to let you know, this is just a random estimate to find the weight of the propane tank but it will let you know if you have sufficient propane to cook your dinner tonight.
2. The Most Accurate Method is to Use a Scale to Calculate The Weight of Propane Tank.
Many bbq propane tank sizes are small and they do not have any gauge to measure the propane level.
If the tank doesn’t have a gauge, you should be able to check how much gas is left by weighing it.
For example, 20 pounds bbq propane tank has often no gauge to tell you how much gas is left.
The best way to judge this is by weight – if your tank weighs 20 pounds, and at the moment it weighs 10 pounds, then you know that there are 10 more pounds of gas in it.
Most barbecue propane tanks are stamped with two numbers – the water capacity (WC) and tare weight (TW). Most grilling tanks weigh between 15 and 25 pounds when empty, though some heavy-duty ones can go up to 50 pounds.
When you want to know how many pounds of propane is left in your tank, simply weigh it on a scale and subtract the TW number.
For example, a tank weighing 27 pounds and with a TW of 17 pounds leaves about 10 pounds of gas – more than half the tank.
In order to find the weight of propane tank, you can use a simple bathroom scale or even a luggage scale.
Hanging Propane Tank Gauge Scale:
You can buy a hanging Propane Tank Gauge Scale to indicate the amount of propane you have left. They are designed in a similar manner to luggage scales, but instead, they provide information about how full your tank is rather than the total weight of the propane cylinder.
Wireless Propane Tank Scale:
- Weights & measures most gas tanks:
- Smart technology app
- Long lasting battery Operated
Nowadays that you can use wireless propane tank scales to get the weight of propane tank.
It will make sure that your barbecue goes uninterrupted by keeping on top of the levels in your large or mini tanks.
It doesn’t matter what type of grill master you are or how much gas you need—Wireless gas tank monitors will let you know when it’s time to refuel!
Smart Wireless Propane Tank Scale provides the perfect level of convenience and control when it comes to your tanks. These smart propane tank scales are compatible with 20, 30, and 40 pound propane cylinders.
3. Use a Propane Tank Gauge Level Indicator to Find the Weight of Propane Tank
The first and most obvious way is to check the gauge on the tank. If there is no pressure, it means that it’s empty.
A propane tank gauge level indicator is used to measure the pressure of a fluid, such as air, gas, or liquid.
The arrow shows you how full the tank is. it’ll point to green when full or have plenty of propane for now then yellow, but as it gets close to empty, it’ll point to red.
If your propane tank does not come with a built-in gauge, then you can still purchase one separately.
You can install inline pressure gauges between the tank and the grill to measure how much gas is going in. These gauges can measure how much pressure a tank has inside and give you an indication of whether it’s full, needs filling up, or will soon run out.
- UNIVERSAL FITTING CONNECTION
- SOLID BRASS CONNECTION
There are 2 possible connections from the propane tank to the grill, so you should check to make sure they’re tightly fitted.
These (gauges and scales) vary in price and would be particularly useful if you frequently cook on the grill.
Magnetic Removable Propane Tank Gauge
When activated, this propane tank gauge automatically senses the propane in your tank and indicates how much is left.
The Removable Accu-Level Propane Gauge is unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
It includes a special yellow ink (which changes color. This ink will change color from yellow to orange when heated). If you leave it to cool down, it will change back to yellow.
Put this gauge on the side of your 20lb tank and fix it with a magnet so you can move it around. It will fit all types of propane tanks, e.g. RVs or BBQs.
This gas gauge is easy to read, will last for years, and won’t show any signs of wear in the sun.
You can also check the pressure on your tank by using a gauge at the gas station.
4. Calculating Cook Time to Check Weight of Propane Tank
With a little math, we can estimate how long one tank will last so that you don’t have to run out of fuel in the middle of bbq. A British Thermal Unit or BTU is the amount of heat energy released from a fuel.
One British Thermal Unit (BTU) is a measure of the energy used to heat one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. Propane is fuel and has the ability to produce 92,000 BTUs.
To use a metric, we need to convert from gallons to BTUs.
1 gallon of propane = 91,500 BTU
91,500 BTU/gallon = 8.1 hours of usage
So based on the above math, a 20-pound propane tank can hold 4.7 gallons at full propane, which is equivalent to a 36-hour cooking duration if you’re cooking with full heat. You can refer to the propane tank weight chart above to find information on the weight of different tanks and how long they can run.
Best Propane Tank Gauge Level Indicator to Tell How Much Does A Full Propane Tank Weigh
The level of propane in a tank can be hard to gauge. To know for sure, Propane Tank Gauge Level Indicator is used to measure the pressure within the tank.
Lower pressures tend to indicate that less liquid propane remains in the tank.
Gauges can be an easy and inexpensive way to ensure that a tank is not empty before it needs to be refilled, saving you time and money.
- Heavy duty 100% solid brass construction
- Compatible with all appliances with a QCC1 / type1 connection and up to 40-lb. propane tanks
- Monitors fuel level without removing the t
- Constantly Monitor the propane level in a standard 20Lb tank
- Attach one end to a 20Lb propane tank and the other end to a grill hose
- Can be left outside attached to the propane t
- Type 1 connection for gas grills, RVs and boats
- Will not read levels immediately: begins working when propane is flowing
- Provides excess flow protection in case of a broken gas line and thermal protection in case of f
Conclusion: How Much Does A Full Propane Tank Weigh
In conclusion, there are many types of tanks with different weights. The average weight for 20-pound propane tank is about 37 pounds, 100 pound weighs 165 pounds, and 100 gallon weighs 630 pounds. The weight of propane tank can vary depending on the type you choose to buy.
Thank you for checking this article.
I hope this article on propane tank weight & gas level was helpful. It is in times of flare-ups and grill fires that you should go back to this article How Do You Quickly Put Out A Grill Fire Without A Fire Extinguisher.
The 4 Best Fire Extinguisher For Grill
FAQ’s
What are small propane tank sizes?
Small propane tanks are great for your grill. If you are grilling in your backyard, then you can get a 1lb propane tank, which will only cost you around USD 3.99.
Propane Tanks come in all shapes & sizes. A small propane tank measuring 20 lbs is often used for gas grills, RVs, and camping.
Can you use 1lb propane tanks with a full sized grill?
Yes, you can hook up a small tank to a full-sized grill, but the vaporization rate of LP inside the small tank might limit how hot the grill can get. 20 (4.3 gallon) tanks might not be enough to keep up with high BTU grills.
Propane is a liquid fuel that must absorb heat from its surroundings to turn back into gas. Since it has a very low boiling point (around 40 degrees below zero), it will evaporate easily.
For example, if there is a little space in the tank, then vaporization will happen more quickly, but if the space is big, then vaporization might take much longer to happen.
If you use a tank that is too small, frost will start appearing on the outside of the tank.
This means that it lacks the volume to provide for your needs, so you should consider buying a bigger one.
Beyond that, which is a performance issue, I can’t think of anything else negative since it’s not really related to the LP.
I am a writer, editor, and publisher of Grillcuisines.com – an online blog dedicated to sharing grilling tips, accessories, and recipes to encourage more people to get outside and grill.
I’m off to find out the different types of grill foods, their seasons, and how to conduct outdoor cooking properly. I’ll also show you some of my grill-worthy cooking tools & accessories!