Propane Grill Calculator

Propane consumption depends on your grill’s BTU rating and how often you cook.

Propane per hour (lbs) = BTU Rating / 21,600

Hours per tank = Tank Size (lbs) / Propane per hour

Tanks per season = Total Cooking Hours / Hours per tank

Standard 20 lb tank facts:

• Contains ~4.7 gallons of propane
• Provides ~432,000 BTU total
• Weighs ~37 lbs when full, ~17 lbs empty

Typical grill BTU ratings:

• Small portable: 10,000-20,000 BTU
• 2-burner: 20,000-30,000 BTU
• 3-burner: 30,000-45,000 BTU
• 4-burner: 40,000-60,000 BTU
• Large/commercial: 60,000-100,000+ BTU

Note: Most grilling is not done at full BTU. Medium heat uses roughly 50-75% of max rating.

Grilling season is typically May through September (about 20-22 weeks in the US).