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JoshuaH's avatar
JoshuaH
Explorer
Aug 24, 2014

20lb. tank, How long will it last fridge cont, 3 meals a day

I know I've talked about this some in other threads but I'd to make a specific thread about it, hope its ok. Doing a trip next month out to the New Mexico area, should be about 2 weeks. This will be the first trip in our camper longer than one weekend. We will be running the fridge full time on LP, and using the LP stove to cook 3 meals a day, possibly baking some with an oven that goes on top of the stove. I know its impossible to know for sure, but can anyone give me an idea of what to expect on how long the tank will last? I was thinking about replacing the tank with a 30lb. but I need to measure because I'm not sure the bed will slide out with a tank that tall, I suppose I could just set the tank on the ground while camping however. Another concern about the 30lb. tank is I'm thinking that will probably give me less options for doing an exchange if needed. 2 tanks really isn't an option for me with this trailer, its really small and I'd have to remove the battery which I will also need. Possibly could have 2 tanks with some metal work but doubt I'll have the time before we leave. Tomorrow during the day I'm going to try and call around to a few places in the area will will be heading to and see if anyone refills tanks or does exchanges.
Seeking Advice
  • B_O__Plenty's avatar
    B_O__Plenty
    Explorer II
    Aug 24, 2014
    I'd worry about how long the battery will last. You will need that to run the circuit board for the fridge. Typically they will last 3-4 days while camping. If you can plug in somewhere bring an electric fry pan and maybe a crock pot..

    B.O.
  • JoshuaH's avatar
    JoshuaH
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2014
    B.O. Plenty wrote:
    I'd worry about how long the battery will last. You will need that to run the circuit board for the fridge. Typically they will last 3-4 days while camping. If you can plug in somewhere bring an electric fry pan and maybe a crock pot..

    B.O.


    The fridge does not have a circuit board, it can run on LP only. I will be doing very limited electricity usage, planning on buying a solar panel also.
  • J-mans_Dad's avatar
    J-mans_Dad
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2014
    One tank should last you a couple of trips unless you're running the heater.
    Stove and refg only don't use a lot of gas. The battery will die long before your need to refill the tank if you're camping off the grid.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Aug 24, 2014
    20 lb. 'cylinder' (MHs have tanks) is 4.7 gallons

    91,000 btus per gallon.......427,700 btus per 20 lb cylinder

    Fridge roughly 1200 btu/hr
    Stove top burner roughly 4-6,000 btu/hr per burner
    Oven roughly 6-8000 btu/hr
    water heater roughly 10,000 btu/hr

    We typically would go 6 weeks on 30 lb. cylinder with normal usage full time travel
  • JoshuaH's avatar
    JoshuaH
    Explorer
    Aug 24, 2014
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    20 lb. 'cylinder' (MHs have tanks) is 4.7 gallons

    91,000 btus per gallon.......427,700 btus per 20 lb cylinder

    Fridge roughly 1200 btu/hr
    Stove top burner roughly 4-6,000 btu/hr per burner
    Oven roughly 6-8000 btu/hr
    water heater roughly 10,000 btu/hr

    We typically would go 6 weeks on 30 lb. cylinder with normal usage full time travel


    Thanks, thats great info but if my math is right a 20lb tank probably won't last.

    14 days is 336 hours, so 336 x 1200 but/hr is 403,200 btus, and thats just the fridge. Am I missing something? When you go 6 weeks on a 30lb tank are you running the fridge full time?
  • jules6's avatar
    jules6
    Explorer
    Aug 25, 2014
    You can get propane almost anywhere. I would be more concerned about battery power if you do not have hook-ups. Does your camper have a 3 way power refer?
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Aug 25, 2014
    JoshuaH wrote:
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    20 lb. 'cylinder' (MHs have tanks) is 4.7 gallons

    91,000 btus per gallon.......427,700 btus per 20 lb cylinder

    Fridge roughly 1200 btu/hr
    Stove top burner roughly 4-6,000 btu/hr per burner
    Oven roughly 6-8000 btu/hr
    water heater roughly 10,000 btu/hr

    We typically would go 6 weeks on 30 lb. cylinder with normal usage full time travel


    Thanks, thats great info but if my math is right a 20lb tank probably won't last.

    14 days is 336 hours, so 336 x 1200 but/hr is 403,200 btus, and thats just the fridge. Am I missing something? When you go 6 weeks on a 30lb tank are you running the fridge full time?


    That's btus PER HOUR...........nothing runs continuously
    Fridge only uses propane as needed.
  • ReadyToGo's avatar
    ReadyToGo
    Explorer
    Aug 25, 2014
    Your Frig does need the battery. All the controls on it require Battery.
  • hotbyte's avatar
    hotbyte
    Explorer
    Aug 25, 2014
    I would rather do refills than exchanges...I've not done an exchange in while but have heard they are shorting the refiles by 3 or 4 lbs and are usually a few dollars more. Most hardware stores (Ace, True Value, etc.), feed & seeds, RV dealers and campgrounds will do a refill.
  • Steve_B_'s avatar
    Steve_B_
    Explorer
    Aug 25, 2014
    I have a smaller propane tank, 11 lbs. When I'm running my fridge (small one) it lasts about 3 1/2 days. I cook out on a portable gas stove if I need to cook, to not use the propane up in the cylinder. The fridge does not require any power to run it. I often camp without power hookups and the fridge is designed to run without power, that's why it's 3 - way. So, my cylinder is just a bit more than half of a 20lb. I would think yours would last about 7 - 8 days if you're only running the fridge but it sounds like you use more for cooking.
    I thought about taking another cylinder along but I don't want the extra weight. I just found and purchased an adapter so that I can hook up a disposable 1 lb. tank to the regular connection so that I can have a backup source of propane while I go and get the cylinder refilled. It's available at Camping World and a few other sources. They called it a steak saver, as it can be used to keep cooking on your grill if your tank runs out. I often wondered why they didn't make these, and now they do. I should have taken out a patent...

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