How To Check Your Propane Tank Level Without A Gauge - RV Geeks

Who doesn’t love an awesome RVing hack? We’ve got a great one for you in this post: how to check your propane tank level without a gauge. This tip will save you time and money if you don’t have a gauge (or if your current one has failed, or is inaccurate), and will make it less likely that you’ll run out of propane at the worst possible time. So, let’s get to hacking!

Table of Contents hide

1. 1) How to Check Your Propane Tank Level Without a Gauge
   1. 1.1) Fill a Container Full of Hot Tap Water
   2. 1.2) Pour Down the Side of Your Propane Tank
   3. 1.3) Feel the Temperature of the Tank Wall
2. 2) See It In Action, Watch Our Propane Tank Level Check Video
3. 3) Why This Propane Tank Level Trick Works
4. 4) Check Any Propane Tank Level with the Hot Water Trick
5. 5) Can You Install a Gauge on Your Propane Tank?

How to Check Your Propane Tank Level Without a Gauge

Checking your propane tank level is important, particularly if you’re not fond of running out of propane in the middle of making dinner or in the middle of a chilly night. Follow the simple steps below (or, for visual learners, watch the video) to check your propane tank level even if you don’t have a gauge on hand:

Fill a Container Full of Hot Tap Water

All you’ll need for this simple RVing hack is your propane tank and a container of hot water. We’re talking hot tap water, not boiling water. As long as your water heater has been on for a little while, the water should be plenty hot enough to do the trick.

Pour Down the Side of Your Propane Tank

Once you have your container of hot water, pour it generously down the side of the propane tank.

Feel the Temperature of the Tank Wall

After you’ve coated the side of the tank with water, run your hand along the side of the tank. Start at the top and move down until you feel the tank’s temperature change.

Pouring hot tap water down the side of a propane tank can help you to determine to what level the tank is filled (or not!) with propane.

Hold your hand on the wall of the tank and run it down the side. The spot where you notice the temperature change from warm to cold will indicate your current propane level. The hot water will heat the side of the tank anywhere the metal isn’t in contact with liquid propane on the inside of the tank. The spot where you notice the temperature change will indicate your current propane level.

Pretty simple, right?

See It In Action, Watch Our Propane Tank Level Check Video

If you’re more of a visual learner, and like to see things rather than read them… here you go:

Why This Propane Tank Level Trick Works

This reaction occurs because the propane inside the tank is cold. VERY cold. The hot water can heat the metal where there’s vapor on the other side of the tank wall (near the top of the propane tank). However, the hot water that flows over the lower part of the tank —the part where liquid propane is in contact with the other side of the metal — is a different story. The temperature of the propane is so intensely cold that it will prevent the metal from warming up.

That dividing line, where the tank temperature transitions from warm to cold, will be a very clear line that you can feel with the palm of your hand. That line between hot and cold is the exact location of the top of the liquid propane inside the tank.

IMPORTANT: Keep in mind that propane tanks can only be filled to about 80% full. So if you find the level to be about 3/4 of the way up the side of the tank, it’s basically full.

This hack gives you only a general idea of where your propane tank level is, but can help you decide if you need a propane refill ASAP or if it can wait.

Check Any Propane Tank Level with the Hot Water Trick

While RVers can use this tip as an RVing hack, it’s not specific to propane tanks in RVs. This hack will work on ANY propane tank you’re using, whether it’s a barbeque propane tank or propane for your home generator.

Can You Install a Gauge on Your Propane Tank?

If you want a more accurate way to keep an eye on your propane tank level, you could install gauges on your tanks.

There are many types of propane tank gauges. If your propane tank doesn’t have a gauge, you can buy one to install on the tank.

Some meters easily screw into any propane tank, while others have magnets that mount to the side or bottom of the tank. Some gauges will even connect to your phone via Bluetooth, alerting you to low propane levels (like this one from GasWatch, or the Mopeka Pro Check Sensor – which is what we use on our new travel trailer because it links to our Victron Cerbo GX and displays the propane level on our Touch 70 display screen).

Propane tank level gauges range in cost from under $15 to $75. Keep in mind that if your RV has more than one tank, you’ll need more than one gauge.

Camco RV Propane Gauge and Leak Detector |... $20.99 Buy on Amazon Price & availability info updated 2025-12-16 at 02:54. Accu-Level Magnetic Removable Propane Tank Gauge $9.01 Buy on Amazon Price & availability info updated 2025-12-17 at 00:32. Gaswatch TVL220-AVC Bluetooth App Enabled Wireless... $35.95 Buy on Amazon Price & availability info updated 2025-12-17 at 00:32. Mopeka Pro Check Sensor - Wireless Propane Tank... $65.99 Buy on Amazon Price & availability info updated 2025-12-14 at 07:15.

Knowing your propane tank level can be really important, especially since so many RVs rely on propane to cook, heat your rig, or run your refrigerator.

We hope this simple hack will come in handy to keep you or a friend from running out of propane in the middle of an epic boondocking trip or family barbeque.

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