One of the worst things that can happen to you when you are ready to fire up the grill is run out of gas. Thankfully, this can be avoided if you get the best propane tank gauge available. These handy devices measure how much propane you have in your tank so that you don’t get surprised when the gas runs out.
During our research, after considering over 20 models, we came up with the top 5 propane tank gauges on the market today. Our favorite from those 5, however, has got to be the Char-Broil Universal Propane Gauge. This gas tank gauge is simple to install, easy to read, and impressively durable. While we highly recommend that this should be your go-to gauge, don’t forget to check out the others on our list as well, since they might fit your needs better.
While we were looking for the best gas tank gauges available, we first looked at the connection type of each gauge, since this will determine whether or not they are compatible with your tanks. Next, we looked at how much they weigh and how easy they are to read, as this has a direct correlation as to how effective the gauge is in measuring the amount of gas you still have in your tank. This careful research helped us to put together our comprehensive list and in-depth reviews for each gauge. We were also able to write out a detailed buying guide that will give you everything you need to know to make an informed decision.
If you are in the market for the best overall gas gauge for your propane tank, then this just might be the right choice for you. For starters, it is a very large gauge, which makes it very easy to read. The scale for this model is simple to see, even if you are not right next to it. Another positive about the scales is that they account for the ambient temperature that you are using your propane tanks in. The scales account for three different temperatures, which include 100, 70, and 50 degree days. That way, you can get a much more accurate idea of how much gas you have, regardless of the temperature outside.
Something else that really makes this such a good gauge is the size of the scale. Many of its competitors have a much more compact color scale that doesn’t pick up slight changes in pressure. This gauge, on the other hand, has a very large scale that accounts for each small drop in pressure as gas is used, which helps to make it a whole lot more accurate.
Since this unit is a bit oversized, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it is quite durable. The casing for the actual gauge is nice and thick, as is the connector. The overall body is also quite thick, making it perfect for anyone that uses their tanks a lot.
The only drawback to this oversized design is that you might have a tougher time fitting this gauge into tight spots on smaller grills or in tight RV compartments. If, however, you have the space to accommodate it, you simply can’t beat its quality performance.
When it comes to finding the right gas gauge for your propane tank, you certainly want to make sure that you are getting a quality product. However, you also, most likely, don’t want to spend a ton of money on something that you will only use on occasion, right? If that is the case, then this is probably going to be a good gauge to get since it works well, but won’t cost too much to purchase.
As you would expect, this model is very easy to install. It is also extremely lightweight and quite compact, which makes it a good purchase for smaller spaced setups. This smaller design doesn’t hurt its overall durability, so you shouldn’t worry about it breaking down on you at all.
The scale of this unit is also quite easy to read. Though it isn’t as large as some others out there, it still clearly communicates when you are running low on fuel. You might need to get a closer look to see it, but it is still remarkably accurate for something at this price point.
The one thing to keep in mind with this otherwise wonderful unit is that it doesn’t account for changes in ambient temperature. It only has one scale, so you need to make sure that you take that into account when you are cooking, no matter if you are using this gauge with your gas grill or your propane tanks for your travel trailer.
One of the biggest concerns for folks with smaller setups is space. Since the connection area for their propane tanks and gas line is already tight, adding in a large fuel gauge could be quite problematic. Thankfully, this gauge is available. It is made to be extremely compact, which makes it perfect for smaller spaces on small grills. It is even small enough that it can stay installed under most RV or travel trailer tank covers without too much of an issue.
As you would expect with such a compact gauge, this model is also quite compact. This does not, however, affect the durability of the gauge. It is still thick enough to stand up to the test of time, even if you utilize your propane tanks often.
The fittings are also quite durable in this model. Even though the overall design of this unit is built towards it being as compact as possible, the fittings for the tank and hose are still nice and thick. This helps them to be both easy to connect to and should also give them the ability to last for a good long time.
The only real issue with this gauge is that the scale is relatively small. It is still easy to read, but not large enough that you can see it from very far away. As such, you will need to make sure that you are right next to it to get an accurate reading. Thankfully, this shouldn’t prove to be too big of an issue, since you need to be right at the tank to turn it on anyways.
This model is a perfect fit if you want something that is going to be durable and easy to read. While it might cost a bit more upfront than some of the others on our list, it is well worth it in the long run. Perhaps the best thing about the unit is its oversized scale. It is quite easy to read, even if you are a good distance away, which makes it great for larger setups.
This gauge’s scale is also very accurate. The reason for this accuracy is because of two factors. The first is the size of the scale itself. Since it is quite large, the different colored zones can be spread out further, which makes for a much more accurate depiction of how much gas is left. This gauge also accounts for the ambient air temperature, which adds to the accuracy of the scale, regardless of the weather.
The one concern that you need to take into account with this unit is its size. This gauge is quite oversized, which works to its benefit in many ways. As we mentioned earlier, it helps to make the scale more accurate. This large size also helps to make the gauge quite durable. If, however, you have a smaller setup, this gauge might not work very well for you. Since it is so large, you might have a tough time fitting it into tight spaces. Of course, if you can fit it, this model will work very well for you.
If you have been using the same grill for a long time, then odds are that you still have your old propane tanks. While you might want to get a tank gauge so that you know how much gas you have, you certainly don’t want to have to replace your tanks. This is expensive and might mean that you would have to get a whole new gas line as well. If that is your situation, then this gauge/adapter is the right option for you. It has a POL to QCC1 Type1 adapter, which allows it to hook up to older style tanks with ease, while also taking a measurement of how much gas you have left in the tank.
This model is also quite compact and lightweight. This design makes it a good option for any size of setup, even if space is tight. Even though this gauge is on the smaller side, it is still quite durable, especially its fittings. They are made out of corrosion-resistant brass, which means that this scale should last for several years of use.
The only thing to keep in mind with this gauge is that, while it is very easy to read, it has a smaller color scale than some others. This might make it seem as though the scale changes very quickly since the needle doesn’t have a lot of room to move. As long as you keep this in mind, however, you shouldn’t have any issue utilizing this gauge effectively.
In this section, we will go through everything that you need to know to find the best propane tank gauge for your needs. We have also taken the time to answer several frequently asked questions, so be sure to read through those as well if you need any more information.
There are a couple of reasons that you would want to get a propane tank gauge for your grill or RV. The biggest one, obviously, is that these gauges can let you know when you are running low on fuel. This will, in turn, help you to make sure that you refill your tank before it runs out completely. The last thing that you want is to run out of gas before a cookout or camping trip, and these gauges will help to prevent that from happening.
The other reason that getting a gas gauge for your propane tank is that it will help to alert you to any issues with your gas line and connection. Over time, these elements can begin to break down, which can cause your gas to leak out. Obviously, this can cause you to waste your gas, which is definitely not ideal. Gas leaks can also be quite dangerous if they are not detected. By using a gas gauge, you will be able to see that your gas is leaking out since the level will drop so dramatically. That way, you can replace the faulty elements and keep your setup working smoothly.
As you can imagine, there are many different factors that you need to consider before you buy your new gas gauge. In this section, we will go through each of these considerations in detail so that you can make an informed decision on which gauge will work best for your needs.
The first thing that you will need to determine before you select your new gas gauge is the type of connection that you need. There are several different connection types to choose from, but the most common connector, especially on larger propane tanks for grills or RVs are going to have a Type 1 or ACME connector. These connectors will attach to your propane tank with one valve, and then your gas hose with the other.
Basically, with the connector like the one on the Char-Broil Universal Propane Tank Gauge, you are simply extending the connection. These gauges are meant to fit into the connection between your hose and your propane tank without any issue.
You just need to get the right type of connector for your tank because you need to be sure that you have a tight fit. There are some gauges on the market that are meant to be used with camping propane tanks, and, as such, would not fit on a larger tank.
When it comes to the actual gauge, brass is the gold standard of materials. This metal is highly durable and works well in propane applications. All of the different models on our list are produced with brass, making them all great buy as far as the connector is concerned.
There are other materials present in a gauge, however. The fittings that connect the unit to the gas tank, for instance, should be made with durable plastic with thick rubber gaskets, as you can see on the Camco Propane Gauge/Leak Detector. These thicker connectors should help the gauge to hold up to years and years of use without breaking down.
Something else that you will need to figure out is how large of a device your gas setup can handle. This is especially important for smaller gas grills that have a cramped connection space. The last thing that you want is to buy a gauge that won’t fit into your grill. That could interfere with the hookup, which could, in turn, lead to leaks.
If you are looking for a smaller tank gauge, then the Camplux Propane Tank Gauge is a good model to start with. This unit is smaller than all of the other gauges on our list, making it perfect for tight connection spaces. It is also much lighter, which makes it ideal for smaller grills with lighter connection hoses.
When it comes to any gas gauge, whether it be in a car or on a propane tank, you want to be able to read it quickly and clearly. It won’t really do you all that much good if you have to look too closely at it because it isn’t very clear. A fuel gauge for a propane tank should have clear graphics that are simple to understand, with bright fuel level indicators that make it very easy to see just how much gas is still in your tank.
The Camco Propane Gauge/Leak Detector is a good example of this. It has very clear graphics that will tell you how much gas is left in your tank regardless of the weather. It has two different gauges based on whether it is hot or cold outside. That way, you can easily figure out how much gas you have left without any guesswork is necessary.
Connecting your new propane tank gauge is as simple as hooking up your tank to your gas line. Simply follow these steps, and you’ll be set up in no time at all:
If you are looking for the best overall propane tank gauge, then the Char-Broil Universal Propane Tank Gauge is going to be your best bet. This unit has three scales based on the ambient temperature, which helps to make it the most accurate scale around. We highly recommend that you check it out!
The GasOne Propane Gauge is a great value. This gauge is very lightweight and easy to install, making it a great option for anyone looking to get a great gauge at a reasonable price.
If you have a smaller setup, then the best propane tank gauge is going to probably be the Camplux Propane Tank Gauge. This model is lightweight and extremely compact. It should in even the tightest spaces and still provide an accurate reading of how much propane you have left in your tank.
