How long will a propane tank last?
- dexter
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How long will a propane tank last?
So I'm onto my third brew with my new blichman burner and BIAB and I think i have it dialed in. wha id like to know is how many brews should I expect out of a standard BBQ tank? Assumming regular light boils and 60 minute boils about how long should it last?
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Re: How long will a propane tank last?
I get about 6 brews out of a tank
- dexter
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Re: How long will a propane tank last?
Cool thanks!
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Re: How long will a propane tank last?
At Costco you can get an inline tank gauge for $10.00. It seems pretty accurate. Plus they have the bigger tanks available again.
- dexter
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Re: How long will a propane tank last?
Yeah I know, but I managed to get a free tank, Id love a 100# but I drag my kettle through the house to the back yard and dragging that around is way more work than my lazy ass is willing to do.
- CorneliusAlphonse
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Re: How long will a propane tank last?
I get three batches. Could probably do four but don't want to risk it
planning: beer for my cousin's wedding
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Fermenting: black ipa
Conditioning:
Kegged: barrel barleywine from 2014 - i think i still have this somewhere
- dexter
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Re: How long will a propane tank last?
Just finished brew # two today and the hot water test says 1/3rd left. So logic would say I get 6... I'm aiming at 5
- adams81
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Re: How long will a propane tank last?
Hot water test??
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Re: How long will a propane tank last?
Dump some hot water on the side of your propane tank. As the liquid propane inside has a higher thermal mass than the gas, there will be an obvious level below which condensation forms: that is how full your tank is. Note: if the weather isn't right, you could also feel the tank after waiting five seconds after dumping the hot water, there should be a distinct level below which it's cool. That's your fill level.
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- know1
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Re: How long will a propane tank last?
I run a basic 60000 BTU/hr burner and a 20lb tank. It's around 20min on full to heat strike water, another 20 on full to reach boil and then 60 mins at what I'll guess is maybe 60% to keep it rolling.
that's 60000 x .33hr + 60000 x .33hr + 60000 x 0.6 x 1hr = 75996 BTU total
a 20lb of propane has about 430000 BTU
430000/76000 = 5.66
yeah I know, I'm a nerd
that's 60000 x .33hr + 60000 x .33hr + 60000 x 0.6 x 1hr = 75996 BTU total
a 20lb of propane has about 430000 BTU
430000/76000 = 5.66
yeah I know, I'm a nerd

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- dexter
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Re: How long will a propane tank last?
Exactlychalmers wrote:Dump some hot water on the side of your propane tank. As the liquid propane inside has a higher thermal mass than the gas, there will be an obvious level below which condensation forms: that is how full your tank is. Note: if the weather isn't right, you could also feel the tank after waiting five seconds after dumping the hot water, there should be a distinct level below which it's cool. That's your fill level.
.
Jesus man it's Monday way too much math for a Monday!know1 wrote:I run a basic 60000 BTU/hr burner and a 20lb tank. It's around 20min on full to heat strike water, another 20 on full to reach boil and then 60 mins at what I'll guess is maybe 60% to keep it rolling.
that's 60000 x .33hr + 60000 x .33hr + 60000 x 0.6 x 1hr = 75996 BTU total
a 20lb of propane has about 430000 BTU
430000/76000 = 5.66
yeah I know, I'm a nerd
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Re: How long will a propane tank last?
+1 on the gauge from Costco, bought it after I ran out in the middle of a brewday recently
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