From heating, cooking, generating electricity, and more, propane is an incredibly efficient and versatile fuel. However, unlike other conventional sources of energy, it's often up to the consumer to ensure that they don't run out. Still, this is often easier said than done, leaving many to wonder just how they can tell if their propane tank is full.
No one wants to run out of propane unexpectedly. Whether you're using it to heat your home or simply grill a few burgers, finding out at the last minute that your tank is empty can be a huge inconvenience. And that's not even to mention how important keeping your tank full is for tank maintenance and longevity reasons. So, if you want to ensure that your tank doesn't run dry, here is everything you need to know about how to safely tell how much propane is in your tank.
Are Propane Tanks Ever Really Full?
Before you actually start checking your propane tank, it’s essential that you understand what exactly it means for a propane tank to be full.
Propane is stored as a pressurized liquid inside the tank, and this liquid is incredibly sensitive to temperature fluctuations. As it gets warmer, the propane inside the tank will expand, causing an increase in pressure and potentially damaging the tank if filled too full.
For this reason, propane tanks will never be filled over 80% capacity as this allows enough room for the propane to expand when needed. So, if you want to measure the level of propane inside a tank and it shows that the tank is at 80% capacity, this means that it is completely full.
How to Tell if Your Portable Propane Tank is Full
When it comes to smaller portable propane tanks, there are a number of simple techniques you can use to figure out whether or not there is still propane inside. Here are a few of the best ones.
The Water Test
For this method, all you need to do is fill up a glass with warm water, dump it on top of your tank, and feel around for cold spots. Propane is very good at absorbing heat, so if you notice that the tank feels cold even after dumping the warm water on it, this is a surefire sign that there is still propane in the tank.
While you won't be able to get an exact reading of how much propane is in there, you should still be able to get a good idea based on where the tank feels cold and where it doesn't.
Weigh Your Tank
Another easy way to figure out how much propane is in your tank is to weigh it. All portable propane tanks have their tare weight printed on the handle, and this tare weight is what the propane tank weighs when it’s empty.
All you have to do is weigh your tank and then subtract the tare weight from it. The number you have left is how many pounds of propane you still have in your tank.
Use a Propane Gauge
The easiest way to get an accurate reading of exactly how much propane you have in your tank is to invest in an external propane gauge. These gauges are relatively inexpensive, and you can easily purchase one online or at your local hardware store.
Once you have your propane gauge, simply install it on your tank, and you'll be able to get a precise measurement whenever you want.
How to Check the Propane Level of Large Above or Below Ground Propane Tanks
Larger propane tanks work a bit differently, so you won’t be able to simply dump a glass of water on them to figure out how much propane you still have inside. So, just how can you check the propane level inside your large above or below-ground tank?
Check Your Tank Gauge
While small portable propane tanks don’t generally come with propane-level gauges, large above and below-ground tanks generally do. So, all you have to do to get a precise reading of exactly how much propane is in your tank is to check this gauge.
While the location of this gauge may vary depending on the specific tank you have, most of the time, you’ll be able to find it under the propane tank lid on the top of your tank.
Contact Your Propane Provider
If you can’t find your tank gauge, you can always call your propane supplier and ask them. Most propane suppliers use either tank sensors or telemetry prediction systems to monitor the amount of propane in your tank. If you receive automatic propane deliveries, for example, there’s no doubt that your supplier is using one of these methods to schedule deliveries when you start to run low.
Because of this, it’s almost a guarantee that your propane supplier will have a good idea of exactly how much propane you have in your tank. All you have to do is call and ask if your propane tank is full or not.
Contact MAZ Propane Today
Are you interested in making the switch to propane? Give MAZ Propane a call. Their team of friendly propane experts is always there to answer your questions and will happily help tell you more about how propane can help meet all your energy needs. They can even set you up with a free consultation and estimate so that you know exactly how much your potential conversion might cost. So, don’t miss out on the many amazing benefits of propane power. Call MAZ Propane today!