Try This Quick And Easy Trick For Checking Your Grill's Propane Levels

Let's say you just got back from that summer national park freshwater fishing trip and have a cooler stocked with gorgeous filets that are ready to be marinated and then tossed on the grill. So, first, you make sure your grill is all cleaned and in tip-top shape. Then, you fire it up and throw your fish on only to discover that you didn't have enough propane and your grill shuts off halfway through cooking. Now, your only options are to go to the store and pick up some more propane or transfer all uncooked fish indoors to pan-fry it (definitely the less-fun option).

Lesson learned. We now know that checking how much propane you have left before you fire up the grill is important. However, if your grill doesn't have a tank gauge, how do you do that? There are a few different options, from weighing your propane tank to estimate how much liquid is left to guessing how much ought to be there by estimating the time you've already spent using it. However, the easiest way (by far) is to simply use hot water. 

This works because, when exposed to hot water, the empty portion of your propane tank will heat up and become warm, but the full section will remain cool to the touch. This happens because liquid propane absorbs heat, thereby, keeping the metal that is touching the propane cold.

So, now you know how this hack works but how do you do it? To get started, fill up a container with about a quart of hot (or warm) water from your sink. Then, carry the container out to your grill and pour the water over one side of your propane canister. Next, slowly run your hand down the side of the tank where you just poured the water and stop when you feel that the metal is cool. The area on the tank where the metal suddenly changes temperature from warm to cool is the line where the propane tops off. 

While this method is not exact, it is a good way to get a quick estimate of how full your propane tank is so you know whether or not you should run to the store before starting the grill. Also, if you know how many hours of grilling you normally get out of a tank, you can use the propane level you have estimated to get a rough idea of how many hours of propane you have left. If you aren't sure, then you can use average measurements based on your grill's size. Typically, a 20-pound propane tank will last 18 to 20 hours with a medium-sized grill and around 10 hours with a large grill.