I understand what propane does. The confusing bit is how the gas stations arrive at the cost of the propane they put in my tanks.This morning the local Esso filled up my 30lb tank and has a gauge that displayed 23lbs going in. I went into the store and then paid, according to the receipt, for 31.68L @ $1.089/l.A little while ago, I purchased propane at a Flying J. Took forever and the attendant used a scale as opposed to a gauge. He claims to have put in 30lb and the receipt show 30L @ .899/l.Looking online, I find that 1 kg of propane = 1.987, which makes my 23lbs equivalent to 20.77L. Looking online, I also find that 1 US gallon = 3.79 L and that 5lbs of propane = 1 gallon. My 23lbs then becomes 17.4L.None of this makes any sense to me and I'd really like it to. If anyone can help clear up my confusion I'd greatly appreciate it.

30# Cylinder - 7 Gallon Bottle OPD is required Filled by weight - weighs about 55 pounds when full Holds 30 pounds of propane (7 gallons of propane)4.2 lbs. per gallon1 gallon equals 3.785 liters

I was reading this and getting confused by the second! I fill my 20 pound tank with up to about 4.2 gallons of propane - even though it is called a 5 gallon "Nominal" tank. There is always space left above the liquid and that is for expansion. I am not sure how many liters that is. You have 30 pound tanks, so they are a little larger. Perhaps they can hold 6.5 gallons? I do agree that you got overcharged at one place, and it seems like really expensive fuel at $1 per liter that would be over $3.79 - I can buy it in Portland Oregon at several stations at $2.29 per gallon. You might check Manchester Fuel tanks, and hopefully find out how many liters will fit into a 30# tank.Good luck!Fred.

This link shows what the water capacity is for various tanks, so you can figure out how many liters it can hold. It shows how many gallons of propane it can hold, (at 80% full) while water weight is filling the tank to 100%. http://www.mantank.com/products/dotproducts/5-420steel.htmI don't think there is any way they could fit 31 liters of propane into your 30 pound tank. 6.8X 3.79= 25.778 gallons. Fred.

You are off by a little a gallon of propane weighs about 4.15 pounds at 60 degrees Fahrenheit most people use 4.25 lbs in a gallon.A 30 lb tank cannot be filled over 80% if the valve is working right. 80% of 30 = 24 lbs max in the tank. 24 pounds is about 5.7 gallons + -.5.7 gallons is less than 22 liters

A 30lb propane tank holds 30lbs of propane when it is 80% full. When I get my tanks filled from empty, they usually take 7.1 gallons. At 4.25lbs per gallon, that would be 30.175lbs.Bruce

I'm confused about propane. | Good Sam Community

34 Replies

beemerphile1
Explorer
Nov 03, 2014
robatthelake wrote:
In The USA Propane is sold by the Gallon or part thereof!

However the OP is from Canada where It is sold by the Pound!

Now sometimes even in the great white north they manage to insert a line to show Liters!

However Confusing this may sound if by some chance a gallon gets mentioned in Canada it isn't the same size as an American Gallon either!

It's no wonder that the War of 1812 ended in a Draw!

It is also sold by the pound in many places in the states.
time2roll
Nomad
Nov 03, 2014
Helianthus 52N wrote:
I understand what propane does. The confusing bit is how the gas stations arrive at the cost of the propane they put in my tanks.
Go to a real propane dealer. He can easily explain pricing before you fill.
Probably lower cost also.
robatthelake
Explorer
Nov 03, 2014
In The USA Propane is sold by the Gallon or part thereof!

However the OP is from Canada where It is sold by the Pound!

Now sometimes even in the great white north they manage to insert a line to show Liters!

However Confusing this may sound if by some chance a gallon gets mentioned in Canada it isn't the same size as an American Gallon either!

It's no wonder that the War of 1812 ended in a Draw!
ol_Bombero-JC
Explorer
Nov 02, 2014
MrWizard wrote:
TO the OP

old biscuit explained it very well

Yep he did.

~
mobeewan
Explorer
Nov 01, 2014
Can't understand why everyone thinks it is 80% of 80%.

80% is factored into the design of the tank. Why would they sell you a 30 lb cylinder if it didn't hold 30 lbs. 30 lbs means 30 lbs. Why does the OPD shut off at 30 lbs of liquid propane on a 30 lb tank and the tank still has propane gas vapor in it. Why does the OPD shut off at 20 lbs on a 20 lb tank and the tank still has propane gas vapor in it. Why does the OPD shut off at 11 lbs on an 11 lb tank etc... etc...
mobeewan
Explorer
Nov 01, 2014
nomad297 wrote:
A 30lb propane tank holds 30lbs of propane when it is 80% full. When I get my tanks filled from empty, they usually take 7.1 gallons. At 4.25lbs per gallon, that would be 30.175lbs.

Bruce

Bingo! I get 7.1 every time too except once it was 14.3 when filling 2 - 30 lb cylinders.
FlatBroke
Explorer II
Oct 31, 2014
Well, was at a camp ground in New Orleans and they charged a flat charge for filling a 30# tank no matter what it took to fill it. Guessing they never left themselves on the short end there. I went some where else.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Oct 31, 2014
Complain/question pricing at time of charge.

Otherwise why bother.
billkaufmann
Explorer
Oct 31, 2014
WOW!!! You guys have beat this one to death. Just fill up and hit the RV road and enjoy.
billkaufmann
Explorer
Oct 31, 2014
obgraham wrote:
I just fill it up when it is empty. Then I either whine about the price, or congratulate myself on how long I went without needing propane.

X2

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I'm confused about propane.

34 Replies

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