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The debate between gas and charcoal grills will heat up every summer, but even if you’re a devoted gas grill fan, you have to admit they have one problem charcoal doesn’t: It’s all too easy to run out of propane without realizing you’re even running low. Luckily, there’s an easy way to tell how much gas is left in your grill’s propane tank.

Running out of fuel for your gas grill can literally bring your barbecue to a halt. One option for avoiding such a scenario is to invest in a fuel gauge, but if you don’t have one, not to worry. There’s a simple trick using warm water to tell how much propane is left in the tank:

How to Tell How Much Gas Is Left in Your Propane Tank

1. Make sure the gas is turned off, then disconnect the tank. Rest it on level ground.

2. Fill a large glass or small bucket with warm water and pour it down the side of the tank. Go a little slow to give the water time to affect the metal of the tank.

3. Feel the outside of the tank where you poured the water. The liquid propane inside the tank will absorb the heat from the water, so the tank will feel cool to the touch where there is still propane inside, and warm to the touch where it’s empty.



It’s not a 100 percent accurate estimate of the exact amount of fuel remaining, but you can roughly estimate how much gas is left, and know whether you’ll be able to grill your burgers or not.

Another way to tell how much propane you have left is to weigh your tank.

Grill Gauge Propane Tank Scale, $14.99 from Amazon No water required. Buy Now

Nexgrill Propane Tank Gauge, $15.43 from Home Depot Another option: an attachment you can keep your eye on every time you cook out. Buy Now

For your next trick, see how to hack a gas grill to burn hotter. And check out our sister site CNET’s picks for the best gas grills of 2020.