How much propane am I going to need?

Do you know which burner you are looking at? For example, I have a SP-10 and I can get around 5 brews out of a 20lb tank.

 

Then that is likely it. If you run the burner on full blast you will eat through propane. I only run mine full when heating to boil, etc. Once a boil starts back way down on it to a slow rolling boil and you will be better off for it. IMO, you need a back up tank. You WILL run out sometime. Me, I have 4 back ups!

 

As the weather (and water) gets colder, you'll start burning through more propane...a spare tank is very wise.

 

FYI, Ace Hardware does a propane refill thats $17 or $18 for a full 20 lb refill, while the big box stores cost $21 for a 17lb tank swap. (This of course may be location dependent). To refill, your tank must have the OPD (overfill protection device, check for a triangular knob, it almost certainly has one.)

How many batches you get out of a tank really depends on a lot of factors (volume of water and wort to be heated, temperature of ground water, kettle size and shape, etc) but you can assume between 4-8 batches.

I get about 8-10 batches out of mine because I do my mash and sparge water heating on my stove, and only use propane to bring the wort to a boil, and boil for 60-90 minutes.

 

Tanks only last 12 years (I just found out on my 3) but the propane is pretty stable...
FYI - I fill up at BJs Wholesale for $13 (membership required) but I found an Ace down this way that costs $11...

 

propane does not go bad. one reason why it is used for back up generators.

the tanks do need to be recertified, but this is not a problem since you can usually exchange any cylinder. the clerk at your local gas station, agway or wherever is not going to look to see if your exchange tank is current. they just take the empty and hand you a full.

i think having a back-up, 3 or 4 even, is a requirement. you can almost guarantee you will run out mid boil. i have a few. once the last full tank is attached, i know i have some time to load up the empties and get them exchanged.

lastly, you can buy a full tank at an exchange place. if you buy a new tank it looks pretty, but thats all.
Cheers.

 

Around here, the exchange tanks (Blue Rhino, etc.) run about $17...a new $30 tank pays for itself after about 6 refills...

 

Where I live, you can get your tank re-certified by taking it to the gas company for a current sticker.

Propane does not go bad, but if your tank leaks, it can go missing. Because of this, I think 1 backup tank is best.

 

Consider yourself lucky. You have much better prices than in my area.

 

I refill my tanks at a local Flying J truck stop. The prices change but it usually is $10-13. I also like when they have to come out when it is freezing cold to refill 20lb tanks. They always say, "grillin season is over".....sorry Jimbo I ain't grillin

 

Not sure on usage but thought I might say, if you have a local KOA campground they do fill ups for cheap usually. $7-10 maybe

 

One other tip for winter in places that actually get cold. - keep your tank from freezing up by keeping it in a bucket of warm water.

 

Grilling season is never over.

Fills vary from $9 - $22 in my neck of the woods. Costco is among the cheapest.

 

Here here. Tank exchanges are a big ol ripoff. Around here they charge you $18 for a 3/4 full tank versus something like $12 for a refill. Plus you forfeit any remaining propane when you exchange so you would have to run your tank dry not to lose out even more.

It's not like it really saves you any time either. You still have to go in the store and get someone to come out and unlock the cage.

 

when a tank is filled it is never filled 100%. only about 80% of the tank capacity is used so that the gas can safely expand if needed. it does not matter if you are standing there while the guy refills your tank, or you are buying a prefilled tank. there is a float inside the valve, that is the over-fill protection device, the OPD, that has a triangular handle. when the float closes, your tank is as full as it will ever be.

if you think you are getting shorted on your refills or exchanges, then that would be newsworthy. big problems.

the cost of the propane certainly varies of course. i think the exchange places, Bue Rhino for example, they cost a bit more than the refill at Agway or a fuel supplier. makes sense since Blue Rhino is paying rent or somehow paying the property owner. markup on top of markup.

as for forfeiting any remaining gas, what remaining gas? doesn't everyone burn until the flame stops? it's not like driving a car when the needle is on E. just let it run out and put it aside.
Cheers.

 

Blue Rhino and most other exchange companies fill their tanks to 15#. That is a short fill and not a closely-guarded secret.