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The propane gauge is boring, but it works
You’ve probably had this oh so terrible problem happen to you. It goes like this, you go out to the grill, perfectly shaped, sized, and spiced hamburgers in hand and try to start the grill only to find out you’re out of gas. Now, instead of one damn tasty hamburger, you get a broiled, mediocre/sub-par burger that’s probably half cooked. Some grills have those little levers or gauges that tell you how much gas is left. Mine does, but when the gas tank is actually empty it still reads that I’ve got plenty left. The Propane Gauge goes right onto the gas tank and hopefully, you know, works. Imagine that!
It’s pretty simple — the little doo-hicky screws right onto your gas tank and tells you, for real, how much gas you have left. The adapter is leak-proof (nobody likes propane explosions) and when you’re installing it, the positive seal mechanism prevents any gas flow until it’s securely connected. As a bonus feature, the gauge has a leak detector; every time you start your grill, you can know you’re grilling safely (unless it says that you’ve got a leak, if that happens, I’d stay away from it. 
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The Propane Gauge is a simple gadget that does two things for you without using some fancy LED screen, a programmable timer, or a remote control. For some, that’s boring (myself included), but it looks like it actually works. And it’s only $25, so next time your in Brookstone, pick one up.
Join 8 Comments
A Must Have For BBQ Aficionados : Behind the Walls : sharing stories about home renovation Says: May 14, 2007 at 10:28 am
[...] Check out the rest of the article on this exciting new product! [...]
Matt Scott Says: May 25, 2008 at 9:56 am
This device works by measuring the pressure in the tank. As long as there is liquid in the tank, the pressure will vary with the temperature (not the volume in the tank). The pressure will drop once the liquid runs out. The only thing a pressure guage can tell you is if you are about to run out. It can not tell you the fuel level in the tank. Matt Scott- delivery driver for Kamps Propane.
Michele Says: July 24, 2008 at 10:49 am
If you check out http://www.gaswatch.com, the GasWatch product offers many different types of the gas gauge for your propane tanks. They do carry LED versions of the gas gauge as well as the simple, manual kind. They’re sold in Lowe’s, Target, Sam’s Club, Ace Hardware, True Value, etc. I would recommend this product as it has great customer satisfaction and is only $20.
Chris Saltzman Says: November 19, 2008 at 7:26 am
By far and away the best propane gauge available is the GRILL GAUGE (www.grillgauge.com). Unlike those other contraptions, the Grill Gauge is calibrated to measure the weight of the propane and the tare weight of the tank. Very simple (hand-held and immediate results), but very effective! That’s my choice – and only about $14!
chris S.
Will T. Says: November 19, 2008 at 7:29 am
I also endorse the Grill Gauge! I bought one last year and the thing is so reliable – I even take it to the refiller to verfiy I’m getting a properly filled tank because many propane suppliers are now under-filling the tanks!!! I bought online for like $12.99 + shipping. Trust me, I’ve tried everything before this and I’ve bought two others for my father-in-law and brother-in-law (www.grillgauge.com).
Will T.
Joe Says: August 23, 2009 at 5:33 am
Matt – perhaps you should stick to delivering propane and leave the physics to somebody who knows…. yes when a propane tank is closed, it will register close to the same pressure, but when the tank is open and your grill is on, the propane gas gauge will register the correct amount of propane in the tank, because now the volume is not constant. Thats the time to take a reading, when you are using your grill.
Marc Says: December 24, 2009 at 7:33 am
I agree – the original GRILL GAUGE (www.grillgauge.com) is the only device that is consistently reliable and accurate! This “gaswatch” thing is unreliable. I know, I threw mine out…
Neagle Says: May 13, 2007 at 11:09 pm
Cool! I have only been able to find an LED version of this device. Sometimes it’s refreshing to have a simple, reliable, manual gauge.