Before buying a 10lb propane tank, you must ask yourself what function it will serve, how big it is and where you will store it, and how long a 10lb propane tank will last.
Discussed in the following paragraphs are answers to these commonly asked questions.
Dimensions of the 10lb propane tank
The 10lb propane tank is a great choice for household uses. Its portable and lightweight nature makes it an excellent choice for camping or RV living as it can be stored in a hidden place. It can be used as a fuel source for various activities, including heating RVs, cooking, weed burning, and more. The tank has a diameter, width, and height of 9 inches and a length of 18 inches. When the tank is empty, it weighs about 9.8 pounds; when it is full, it weighs about 23 pounds.
How much propane does a 10lb tank hold?
Due to the expansive property of the gas, all propane tanks are filled to about 80% of their total capacity. This isn’t done to cheat you; instead, it’s done for your protection because if the tank is filled to its maximum capacity when the gas expands, it could cause an explosion. That said, a 10lb propane tank should contain around 2.4 gallons of gas.
BTU of the 10lb propane tank
BTUs (British Thermal Units) are a measure of the heat content of fuels or energy sources, and most appliances that require a fuel source have it stated either on their body or in their user manual.
One gallon of propane is approximately 91500 BTU. Thus, the 10lb propane tank, which has a capacity of 2.4 gallons, would have a BTU of 91500 × 2.4= 219,600BTU.
How long will 10lb gas last
The duration in which your gas lasts is determined by the burning efficiency of propane which is about 85%, as well as the BTU of the appliance you use it for and the frequency you use your appliances. For instance, a medium-sized grill uses up more gas than a simple camping gas burner.
To calculate how long a full 10lb propane tank will last, you can use the following steps, which will teach you how to find out how different appliances will burn through fuel. First, you find your gas tank BTU by multiplying the gallons it can contain by 91500. This will give you a value of 219,600BTU.
Next, you calculate the useful energy by multiplying 219,600 by 85%, which gives 186,660BTU.
Finally, you sum the BTU of the propane-dependent appliances and divide it by the amount of useful energy, take, for example, a stove that has a BTU of 11,000, when applied, gives 186,660BTU / 11,000/hour= 16.96 hours. Which gives you an idea of how long a 10lb propane will last.
Conclusion
A 10lb tank is a good investment for individuals who enjoy camping, hunting, or any activity that requires you to leave behind civilization.