Usually, for a 40,000 BTU heater, 0.437-gallon propane lasts 1 hour. On average, a 20-pound propane tank will power a gas fire pit for 3 to 6 hours. Depending on the BTU rating of your fire pit, a tank can last anywhere from 9 hours to 1-2 hours. A 20-pound propane tank Provides About 450,000 BTUs. In a fire pit of 30000 BTU output, a 20 lb tank will last for about 15 hours, while in a 50000 BTU output fire pit, a 20 lb tank will run for about 9 hours.
How Long Will My Propane Tank Last?
To figure out how long the propane tank will last, you need to know about two factors; Your fire pit BTU output and the propane tank you will use. Usually, a 20 lb propane tank provides 450,000 BTU, so if your fire pit’s output is 40000, all you need to do is simple math; divide 450,000 BTU by the fire pit’s BTU. a 20 lb propane tank will last 11.25 hours in a 40000 BTU output.
Here is a chart about the hour propane tanks will stay for different BTU output fire pits-
BTU output of the fire pit | 10 lb propane tank | 20 lb propane tank | 33 lb propane tank
| 100lb propane tank |
30000 | 7.5 hours | 15 hours | 24.75 hour | 75 hours |
50000 | 4.5 hours | 9 hours | 14.85 hour | 45 hours |
60000 | 3.75 hours | 4.5 hours | 12.37 hour | 37.5 hours |
Frequently Ask Questions by Customers:
Can I Use a 15lb Propane Tank Instead Of 20 for My Fire Pit?
It is OK to use a 15lb propane tank or any other size instead of a 20lb tank for a fire pit. Size only affects how much propane is needed and how long the fire pit will burn. When you use different-sized propane tanks, the biggest problem is ensuring that the tank you use connects securely to the hose or fire pit without leaking. Wait a minute after you click your tank and listen for the sounds of leaking. Also, take a whiff of the air a few minutes later to see if you can still smell propane. If you see either of these, turn off the propane and open the door for 15 minutes to let the area air out.
Can You Put a Propane Tank Under a Fire Pit?
Never put a propane bottle under a fire pit that is on. Many propane fire pits are built with a place to hide the propane tank safely. However, when the propane tank gets hotter, the pressure inside the tank increases, and it will explode. It would be best to put the propane tank in a well-ventilated place.
How to get more time from my propane tank/ how to burn less propane?
To get a more extended performance, you can turn the gas down lower if you want to save propane. Adding a glass wind guard allows you to use less propane and enjoy the flame. The wind guard, also called a flame guard, will keep the wind from blowing over the flame, letting more of the propane burner. Without a flame guard, the fire is blown back and forth across the table when it is windy. Because the flame is being blown on all the time, a lot of gas is not being burned. If you keep the wind away from your flame, you will burn all the propane, giving you more time to use a tank of propane.
How much does a propane tank cost?
A new 20-pound tank will probably cost about $20. These can be easily refilled at Home Depot, Lowe’s, or other local hardware stores. When you use your fire pit often and have to change the fuel, the total cost can go up quite a bit.
Final Verdict:
To put in a propane fire pit, consider its pros and cons. A 20-pound propane tank is used for many portable fire pits that run on propane. This group includes gas fire pits, patio heaters, generators, propane grills, and other similar items. Homeowners can get a lot out of outdoor fire pits, but the convenience does come at a price. Filling up a propane tank can be expensive, and it can be hard to tell how much is left. Intelligent homeowners, on the other hand, can use some simple math equations to figure out exactly how much propane fuel they have left.
