propane bottle - how much remaining?

[Ross]

Water is not the best representation for the flow of a vapor. Dry ice in a pan of water will create a heavy fog that you can watch. When I was designing my propane locker I had a five gallon bucket with a pvc pipe fitted as a drain. I would fill the bucket with propane gas and light the gas at the down end of the drain. When the mixture got lean enough it would flash back into the bucket. I made a cone of bronze screen to insert into the bottom end of the drain as a flame arrestor and could safely fill the bucket and light the drain with no flash-back to the bucket.

 

[RichH]

How can I tell how much propane remains in the propane bottle that I use for the stove? The gauge registers about 93 lbs of pressure.

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/lp-gas/propane-tank-level-indicator.htm?source=froogle_p

 

[sailingdog]

http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/lp-gas/propane-tank-level-indicator.htm?source=froogle_p

Doesn't help on aluminum or composite tanks though.

 

[RichH]

But one can use one of the adhesive (single use) tags on an Aluminum tank.
I've been using the 'adhesive' type for +8 years at home and on the boat ... with no problem - just pour a HOT large cup of water down the side.

For composite tanks ... the heat transfer rate would probably be toooooo sloooooow and thus probably not appropriate on FRG.

 

[Steph]

Pour hot water down the side

If you pour hot water down the side of the tank, the area at the top of the tank, above the level of the liquid gas, will get warm. However, below the "waterline" of the liquified gas, the gas absorbs the heat and the tank feels cool despite the warm water having run over it. You should be able to feel where this line is. Ii use it all the time on my BBQ at home.