Propane tanks

[Wade E]

Im getting a 185, 000 btu burner tomorrow but am wondering will a 5 lb propane tank last at least through a 5 gallon AG brew day or should I have 2 on hand. If it will last 1, how many would it do?

 

[Bytor1100]

No matter what type of burner, a backup tank is always a good idea

 

[kaptain_karma]

I agree with having a spare tank. Going to the gas station to pick up a full tank is a real pita, especially if you've had too much to drink to be driving and have to carry the full tank home.

 

[TheDom]

What's stopping you from getting the standard-sized 20lb tank?

 

[Wade E]

Okay, maybe Im an idiot for stating a 5 lb.prop. tank as I dont even know what I have. I have what normally comes with a gas grill, so on average, how long will that last and i will fill my other tank but just want to have a basic idea.

 

[Blender]

I get at least 5 batches out of my tank. I have a good rolling boil going for about 75 minutes. I boil about 7.5 gallons.

 

[Jeffro]

I'd still like to see the manufactures specs that say these burners are 185,000 BTU.

BTU's are usually assumed as being BTU's per hour. My 60,000 BTU/Hr Camp Chef can get 7 gallons of cold tap water from about 45* to full boil in under 20 minutes. Also, I can heat enough water to mash, sparge, and do hour long boils for 4-5 gallon batches as well as grill a few steaks in the meantime on one 5 gallon tank.

FWIW 5 gallons of propane is 336,000 BTU.

 

[TheDom]

Okay, maybe Im an idiot for stating a 5 lb.prop. tank as I dont even know what I have. I have what normally comes with a gas grill, so on average, how long will that last and i will fill my other tank but just want to have a basic idea.

Bahh, not an idiot, just underestimating. You've most likely got a 20lb tank. I have a 155btu burner, and I'd say I could get at least a good 5-6 brews out of it.

 

[EvilTOJ]

yea I was going to say, if you're using a 5 lb tank, you should get one good brew session out of it before you have to refill. But if it's the standard tank that comes with a BBQ, then it's a 20 lb tank and you're fine.

 

[malkore]

This is a 20lb propane tank:

most likely what you have. it'll last for a full batch. but when you can afford it, get a backup tank.
and remember you can refill propane before its empty, and you'll only pay for what's filled (unlike CO2 which you need an empty tank and always pay for a full fill)

 

[Wade E]

Thanks everyone. I see now that i do have a 20 lb. tank and you have answered my question. Appreciate it! Also, the King Kooker they the stated on their site says 185,000 BTU's but that is a misprint and looked at King Kookers website and it says 105,000 BTU's but the box that my LHBS has says 54,000 so i had to come home and rethink it and check their site before paying that much for a standard cooker. Ill probably just g with a standard cooker for now after seeing some prices for boil pots, are these things made of Gold?

 

[Baunno]

I was in the Walmart garden department last week (go figure) and found a nifty dial guage that screws between the tank and gas line fittings. It cost about $18 and with one of these babies you'll not need to invest in a second tank.

 

[Wade E]

Cool, Ill check it out.

 

[Bobby_M]

That pressure gauge isn't going to tell you you're running low until it's a bit too late. You don't want to end up empty in the middle of a brew. A backup allows you to run them completely dry for no waste. If I had to brew propone though, I'd get like a 100lb tank.

 

[Baunno]

Here is a picture of the gauge from Walmart. It'll give you plenty of warning about when you are running low. I shot this pic on a 20 lb tank that has been used for the last 3 of my 5 gallon batches of mini-mash. The burner was on for about 1.5 + hours a pop.
http://s255.photobucket.com/albums/hh142/webervn/?action=view&current=protank2.jpg

 

[BrewBeemer]

Those pressure gauge additions just suck your wallet thinner, depending on the tank temp there is a wide pressure difference within those gauge readings unless it's a float system. Just look for the frost line or weigh a full vs empty tank. They fill 20 pounders just over 4 gallons of liquid propane so your 5 gallon btu energy spec numbers used is a false reading. I'm still in the planning stages for a 240 volt heated system in the future plus have a 6KW generator for backup. Power in my area has a failure rate at 3 minutes a year maximum. JMO's.