Time for a Propane Refill? How to Tell It’s Time to Order Your Delivery

Propane is versatile. Nothing warms a hot shower or helps cook a great steak like propane. Yet, many people have a hard time knowing when they should refill their propane tank.

Having an empty propane tank when you need it can be bad news. One way to make sure you always have propane on hand is by scheduling a propane refill delivery. But, you may not know how to tell if your tank needs a refill.

As experts in the world of propane, we wanted to share some tips on how to know when it’s time to refill your propane tank. We’ll also cover how to read a propane tank and the benefits of having a propane refill delivery service on hand.

How to Read a Propane Tank

One of the easiest ways to know if it is time for your propane tank to be refilled is if the gauge is low. Most residential propane tanks have gauges that display exactly how much propane is left in the tank.

This gauge makes it very easy to check the levels of your tank at any time. If you happen to have a propane tank that doesn’t come with a gauge, not to worry. You are able to buy one separately and install it yourself.

A propane tank gauge typically has three sections.

If your propane tank is half full, the needle will be displayed in the yellow section. When your propane tank is low and needs a refill, the needle will point toward the red area on the meter.

Your propane tank will have an easy-to-read gauge that you can use to determine when it’s time for a refill. The gauge measures the percentage of your tank that’s filled with propane. It’s a good idea to check your gauge regularly. When you notice that the gauge has hit 30%, it’s time to schedule a refill from your service provider. 

Another point to note about propane tank levels, is that a propane tank will never be filled to 100% capacity. To comply with safety regulations, your propane provider will only fill your tank 80 – 85% full. The extra room in the tank allows for the propane gas to expand, which is a natural reaction when the outside temperature of the tank increases.

Another way to read a propane tank is to weigh the tank.

You are also able to pick up your propane tank to see how heavy it is. This is only an option for smaller tanks that you are able to lift.

Many propane tanks come with two numbers on the side. One number will display the tare weight, and the other will be the water capacity.

If you are weighing your propane tank you want to subtract the tare weight from the weight displayed on the scale. This is because the tare weight is the weight of the tank when it is empty.

Other Ways to Tell if Your Propane Tank Needs a Refill

There are a few other ways to tell if your propane tank needs a refill.

A great rule of thumb is to refill your propane tank every few months depending on how often you use it.

More appliances that use propane mean more frequent refills

If you are only using your propane to grill, then chances are you won’t have to refill your tank as much. But, if you are using propane for your space and water heater or other appliances, you may need a refill more often.

Understanding your propane usage can help you determine when it’s low and how often your tank needs to be refilled. Another method that can be used to tell if your propane tank needs a refill is seeing if you can get flames or are able to make fire.

Weak flames (on stoves or grills) mean you might need a refill

A propane tank that needs a refill won’t allow you to light your grill or power certain appliances. The reason being, there has to be a steady flow of propane to get these items to work properly. If you see a weak or sputtering flame coming from your tank, it’s a good sign that it’s time for a refill.

The Benefits of Using a Propane Refill Delivery Service

There is an alternative to reading your propane tank to determine whether it’s full or empty. You do that by having a propane refill delivery service read your tank for you.

Smart Tank Monitors take the guesswork out of refill

There are tanks that use special technology to check when your propane levels get low. How it works is a hi-tech device called a Smart Tank Monitor sends wireless alerts to your propane refill delivery service provider. That way, when your tank is low, your service provider will know when you need a delivery. With a propane refill delivery service, you can get deliveries that fit your schedule and budget.

Switch & Save up to 30% on Propane

Propane Depot is Long Island’s top rated family owned propane company offering propane delivery and tank installation complete with 24/7 service. Plus you’ll never run out of propane again with our smart propane tank monitors.

Stop overpaying for propane! Click here for a quote or call us at 631-400-SAVE