Best Method for Propane Level guesstimates?

Originally posted by P and D Podders Just how does the warm water method work? I have just returned from a trip to Colorado and after using the heat for 4 nights and cooking we only used 2 gallons. A 20LB tank holds about 5.5 gallons.

It is really quite simple. warm water heats the tank. The liquid is a better conductor of heat than the vapors. Where there is liquid propane, the metal of the tank cools rapidly. You can easily feel that since the part above the liquid level will stay warm enough to let you feel the temperature difference.

You should realize that while you may think a 20 lb tank should hold about 5.5 gallons, the actual capacity is 4.7 gallons. The overfill prevention device will cut off the filling at that point. If the bleeder valve is used, this is also the point where liquid will start to come out of the bleeder valve, indicating full.

This site has some interesting information about tanks and filling:
http://www.elivermore.com/propane.htm

I have two tanks mounted on the tongue with an auto switch.  Makes it real easy.  I can tell at a glance when a tank is empty, but I have plenty of time to get it filled.  It's not a lot of weight anyway, but since both tanks are almost never full, and if they are, they don't stay that way long.  So they don't weigh as much as you might think.

TT

I do carry a scale ==> http://www.amazon.com/Grill-Gauge-GG-1100-Original/dp/B0012GTU3O

I use it mostly at home for the three twenty pounders I keep. My neighborhood filling station charges me $20 for a 20 pounder no matter how empty the tank is. They've charged the same thing for three years - go figure. When camping, I mostly don't worry about it cuz one 20 pounder lasts a looooong time and propane is so easy to find. I do carry a 1 gallon tank for BBQing that I could easily hook up as main if I needed to ==> http://www.amazon.com/Worthington-281149-1-Gallon-Cylinder-Prevention/dp/B000SKX63U

fred

I don't like to spend the time and hassle of removing my tanks so I prefer the hot water method.  Tells you exactly where the liquid line is.  Just remember that even when full it will only be 80% full, or just below the bottom of the top shoulder.

Originally posted by marwayne I have two tanks, when tank one is empty I hook up number two and keep my eyes open to refill number one

I like your method. Its full proof and a no brainer.