Is A 20 Lb. Propane Tank High Or Low Pressure?

Propane tanks are useful for a variety of applications, and 20-pound propane tanks are commonly used in residential settings. You may have noticed that your propane tank has a low pressure regulator. But does that mean that a 20-pound propane tank is considered high or low pressure?

A 20-pound propane tank can be high or low pressure, depending on the temperature of the propane. In fact, any propane tank, regardless of size, varies in pressure due to the temperature of the propane itself. The pressure inside the average propane tank typically ranges from 100 PSI (pounds per square inch) to 200 PSI.

A 20-pound propane tank is often called a grill cylinder. This size is standard for BBQ grills, small space heaters, mosquito magnets, and turkey fryers. It is the most commonly used type of propane tank and works well in other applications, too.

While you might think a 20-pound propane tank literally weighs 20 pounds, this actually refers to the weight of the propane. When empty, a 20-pound propane tank weighs about 17 pounds. When it’s full, it weighs around 37 pounds.

Twenty-pound propane tanks hold about 4.6 gallons of propane, which weighs around 20 pounds in liquid form.

The pressure in the average propane tank typically ranges from 100 PSI to 200 PSI. “PSI” is an abbreviation that stands for “pounds per square inch.”

This pressure range applies whether the tank is small or large. What affects the pressure in a 20-pound propane tank the most is the temperature of the propane. This usually depends on the temperature of the environment outside of the propane tank.

For example, when a propane tank is left out in the sun on a summer day, the pressure will increase. Conversely, if a propane tank is left in the shade where it’s cooler, the pressure inside will be lower.

When a propane tank is used for residential applications, it’s required to have a low pressure regulator. This is a machine that reduces the pressure of the propane to six ounces or 10.5 water column inches.

The water column is an alternative method of expressing measurements of pressure. It’s a way to explain how much pressure there is inside something (in this case, a propane tank). The water column’s definition is the pressure produced by a one-inch by one-inch column of water with a specified height.

For instance, suppose the pressure on a surface is equal to three inches of water. That would mean the pressure is equivalent to a square-inch column of water with a height of three inches. Water columns are often useful for identifying low pressure.

The low pressure regulator for propane tanks is most often located on or near the main supply tank. This is true for low pressure regulators for homes, motor homes, and campers.

However, let’s say you have an outdoor gas appliance. This could potentially be a grill or a fire pit. In this case, the low pressure regulator would not be located near the main supply tank.

Instead, outdoor gas appliances typically access low-pressure propane gas through a gas convenience outlet. This outlet can be found near the low pressure regulator. In some cases, outdoor gas appliances get their low-pressure propane gas directly from a portable tank.

Portable tanks also require propane pressure regulation. Some outdoor gas appliances have low pressure regulators built-in, but most often, they’re installed on the propane tank.

Twenty-pound propane tanks are often referred to as “low pressure.” This is misleading because the pressure inside the tank is dependent on the temperature of the propane. Meanwhile, the temperature of the propane is typically a result of the temperature in the environment around the tank.

This means that two propane tanks at the same temperature will have the same amount of pressure under static conditions. This applies regardless of the sizes of the two propane tanks.

You could have one 20-pound tank and one 250-gallon tank. If both tanks are at 70 degrees Fahrenheit, then they should have the same pressure PSI as well.

Related Questions

How much does it cost to fill a 20 lb. propane tank?

A 20-pound propane tank typically costs between $14 and $20 to fill. It tends to cost between $3 and $4 per gallon, and a 20-pound propane tank holds 4.6 gallons.

How many gallons are in a 20 lb. propane tank?

A 20-pound propane tank holds 4.6 gallons of propane when full. It’s commonly referred to as a grill cylinder.

How much pressure is in a 20 lb. propane tank?

The amount of pressure in a propane tank depends on the temperature of the propane. For instance, a 20-pound propane tank has 145 PSI (pounds per square inch) at 70 degrees. However, if the temperature rises to 100 degrees, the pressure inside the tank rises as well, up to 172 PSI.