How long will a propane tank last?

[dexter]

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?

[Jimmy]

I get about 6 brews out of a tank

[dexter]

Cool thanks!

[ryanmd]

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]

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]

I get three batches. Could probably do four but don't want to risk it

[dexter]

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]

Hot water test??

[chalmers]

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.

[know1]

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

[dexter]

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.

Exactly

.

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

Jesus man it's Monday way too much math for a Monday!

[gm-]

+1 on the gauge from Costco, bought it after I ran out in the middle of a brewday recently