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Propane Grill Run Time Calculator

Find out how many hours of grilling you get from a propane tank based on its size and your grill’s BTU output.

Tank size

Grill output

Typical burner setting

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How it works

Run time = tank weight × 21,594 BTU/lb ÷ (grill BTU/hr × burner factor)

Propane holds a fixed amount of energy — about 21,594 BTU per pound — so a full tank of a given size stores a known number of BTUs. How long that lasts depends entirely on how fast your grill burns it: a high-output grill on full blast empties a tank far quicker than a modest one on medium. Because you rarely run every burner on high, the burner-setting factor gives a more realistic estimate than assuming maximum output the whole time.

Worked example

A standard 20 lb tank stores about 20 × 21,594 = 431,880 BTU. A 30,000 BTU/hr grill run on high uses the full 30,000 BTU/hr, giving about 14.4 hours — roughly 10 cookouts of about 90 minutes each. On medium (~65%) it would stretch to more than 22 hours.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a 20 lb propane tank last on a grill?

For a typical mid-size grill around 30,000-40,000 BTU/hr, a full 20 lb tank lasts roughly 10-20 hours of cooking, or about 8-15 average cookouts. Higher-output grills and running every burner on high shorten that; cooking on medium or low stretches it considerably.

How do I know how many BTUs my grill uses?

The total BTU rating is printed in the owner’s manual and often on a label near the burners — it is the combined output of all main burners at full blast. Add side burners only if you use them. If you usually cook on medium, use the burner-setting option here rather than the full rating.

How can I tell how much propane is left?

Weigh the tank: subtract the empty ("tare") weight stamped on the collar (often around 17-18 lb) from the current weight, and the remainder is the pounds of propane left. Pouring warm water down the side and feeling for the cool line where the liquid level sits is a quick no-scale check.

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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.