How Many Beers in a Propane Tank?

[RickBeer]

If/when I get a burner, my plan is to get a natural gas burner as I have a feed outside for my grill. With some extra click-in hose, I think that would work. Does anyone use a natural gas burner?

[Trollby]

If/when I get a burner, my plan is to get a natural gas burner as I have a feed outside for my grill. With some extra click-in hose, I think that would work. Does anyone use a natural gas burner?

The burner is the same it is the regulator/orifice that is changed. I looked into it for my gas grill but my condo association said No since I would have to put hole in building and piping coming out for gas line (along with isolation/cutoff valve outside).

When (if) I get a house I think I will definitely look at NG line outside for grills

[RickBeer]

Right. I can tell you with a grill that Propane is hotter than Natural Gas, that's why I'm curious if anyone uses NG now.

[Brewbirds]

Right. I can tell you with a grill that Propane is hotter than Natural Gas, that's why I'm curious if anyone uses NG now.

This statement interests me can you elaborate on it.

We don't have NG available as an option where we live so kitchen wise thought electric was the only choice.

That said there are propane trucks out here that service the big outside (VW Bug size vs. BBQ) tanks that I've seen around; there aren't very many but I've wondered if they are feeding kitchen/heating etc. vs. electricity in those homes.

I guess my uneducated question is why do you have to brew outside with propane tanks if you can use NG or propane inside for cooking? I know venting fumes has something to do with it but not to clear ( the houses with propane knew they were going to use it so vented accordingly?) ?

But if propane, as you say is hotter, wouldn't that make it more efficient than NG and the more popular choice?

Please explain it to me because I am both curious and hoping to move somewhere else soon.

[RickBeer]

Right. I can tell you with a grill that Propane is hotter than Natural Gas, that's why I'm curious if anyone uses NG now.

This statement interests me can you elaborate on it.

We don't have NG available as an option where we live so kitchen wise thought electric was the only choice.

That said there are propane trucks out here that service the big outside (VW Bug size vs. BBQ) tanks that I've seen around; there aren't very many but I've wondered if they are feeding kitchen/heating etc. vs. electricity in those homes.

I guess my uneducated question is why do you have to brew outside with propane tanks if you can use NG or propane inside for cooking? I know venting fumes has something to do with it but not to clear ( the houses with propane knew they were going to use it so vented accordingly?) ?

But if propane, as you say is hotter, wouldn't that make it more efficient than NG and the more popular choice?

Please explain it to me because I am both curious and hoping to move somewhere else soon.

I'm no expert, but those big tanks you see are people heating their homes with propane.

Many people with natural gas in their homes don't have it on their grills because you have to have a plumber run a line, following code, to the point of attachment. This house we bought happen to come with that connection and I bought a grill that had a kit to convert it to natural gas. Natural gas is much cheaper, and of course there are no tanks to fill.

Propane is much denser. Therefore, when it burns it produces more heat per unit than natural gas. It takes around 2.5 the volume of natural gas to produce the same amount of heat as propane. Since the house feed isn't giving that much volume, the result is that the grill is cooler burning natural gas than propane.

Propane is denser, and heavier, and therefore is more dangerous to use inside a home because it would collect. It's 50% heavier than air, and natural gas is lighter than air.

My choice would be someday to get an outside burner with an adequate length of gas hose that I can plug into the grill connect and brew with natural gas instead of propane, saving money, not needing tanks, etc.

[Brewing Brother]

This is why I enjoy the borg. I just learned more about propane and propane accessories in 48 hours than I have in the last 48 years.

'Tanks Guys!

I'm definitely brewing a chocolate stout in February. Too many good suggestions here not use!

[RickBeer]

This is why I enjoy the borg. I just learned more about propane and propane accessories in 48 hours than I have in the last 48 years.

'Tanks Guys!

Because many of the Borg are bloated with gas...

[DaYooper]

I get a minimum of 5 boils although probably have more as never killed a tank. I tend to do my steeps inside (at least in the cold) while I am getting everything ready for brew day. The smaller volume of water heats up quite quickly on my electric stove while I am gathering the equipment and sanitizing the stuffs. I also have my tank refilled, swapping out only when it starts looking on the old side (only did that once before I had a natural gas grill and the tank sat outside all year under the grill). Refilling means you dont have to kill the tank completely to avoid returning with some gas left over that they will sell to another customer when it is topped off.

Any place that refills usually sells propane tank gauges. One is in the $20-30 range which will give you all the pressure stuffs. I wasnt going to pay that much when I could have bought a second tank for that price (after running out of propane at a tailgate I swore to the group the 2nd tank would be dedicated for tailgates only). The other is a stick on thingie that you squirt with water and it will show you how full the tank is and that only cost a few bucks.

[Brewbirds]

Okay now I get the advertising barrage we've had in our viewing area about gas over electric.

Still can't figure out why I never think my propane BBQ seems hot enough though.

Thanks RB for elaborating for me. Like the OP said I love this Borg, we can talk about all subjects great and small transferring knowledge with the ease of cracking open a cold one.

[Inkleg]

Like the OP said I love this Borg, we can talk about all subjects great and small transferring knowledge with the ease of cracking open a cold one.

You should have seen the thread on that other forum where we were discussing vacuum cleaners.

[haerbob3]

not matter how you add it up the answer is zero.

[berryman]

You Know... I've never really kept track but I think it is a few more then 4 or 5. I usually brew 5 gal extract with a steep and at least a 60 boil, also use it for a batch prime boil, but that doesn't take much. I have 2 tanks and I get them refilled (not exchanged) I did run out last weekend on the hop boil but I put the other one on to finish and that one was quite low also. I'm going to get them both refilled next week and I'll try to keep track on how long they last. Your post has me wondering also.