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

darsben
Explorer II
Oct 29, 2014
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
Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Oct 29, 2014
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.htm

I 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.
Golden_HVAC
Explorer
Oct 29, 2014
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.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Oct 29, 2014
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 gallon
1 gallon equals 3.785 liters

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I'm confused about propane.

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