Why Track Your Propane?

Nothing ruins a backyard barbecue faster than running out of fuel halfway through cooking. Understanding how quickly your grill empties a tank helps you plan refills and budget for the season. Propane consumption varies widely with grill size and how often you cook. This calculator gives you a quick estimate so you can keep those burgers sizzling without interruption.

The Usage Formula

A standard rule of thumb is that each pound of propane provides roughly 21,600 BTUs of heat. Let $B$ represent your grill’s BTU rating per hour, $H$ the hours you cook per session, and $N$ the number of sessions each month. The pounds of propane used monthly $P$ is:

$$P=\frac{B}{\mathrm{21600}}\times H\times N$$

Divide $P$ by your tank size to estimate how many tanks you’ll go through.

Example Table

BTU Rating	Hours/Session	Sessions/Month	Pounds Used
30,000	1	4	5.6
50,000	1.5	6	20.8

Planning Tips

Most 20 lb tanks hold about 4.7 gallons of propane. If your calculations show you burn through a tank every two or three weeks, consider keeping a spare on hand. Windy or cold conditions can raise fuel use, so add a small buffer when planning for large gatherings. Cleaning burner ports and checking for leaks also keeps your grill operating efficiently.

Some grillers connect their propane usage to the cost of refilling. Multiply the pounds used by your local refill price to see the monthly expense. Tracking fuel consumption helps you decide whether a natural gas conversion or electric grill might save money in the long run.

Enjoy the Barbecue Season

Whether you cook every weekend or just on holidays, this calculator takes the guesswork out of propane planning. Use it to schedule refills before the big cookout and keep your barbecue parties running smoothly.