Just bought my first propane grill and have questions... is this legal?

[Eug]

You can go to true UHaul locations and get a filled propane tank. Most WalMart locations also have the BlueRino setup

It used to be that you would also get an new empty tank with a grill. Apparently not for you.

The price difference should be no more than 5-10 no matter where you get the tank and get it filled.
This month, I filled 1 tank and topped of a second tank for $25.

For propane tanks, around here at Costco it's usually CAD$10-12 to fill a 20 lb tank. It's $15-20 elsewhere.

CAD$10 is US$8.

They don't do partial fillups though. Just a flat rate. $10 for a full tank or $10 for a quarter tank. So, it pays to have two tanks. Run the first until it is empty, and then swap in the second tank. Then get the first one filled.

It's more convenient to have a permanently connected natural gas line, but if you don't have one, you don't have one. It also limits the placement options for BBQ, so the gas line had better be in the right spot.

 

[Pulsar]

One useful little trick I read someplace to check the propane level is to pour some hot tap water down the side of the tank, there is a noticeably colder spot where the propane level is.

That only works if you're actively using propane long enough that the ideal gas law helps out.

 

[preslove]

So, let's talk veggies. If you're going to make a veggie side for your meat on the grill, how do you cook the veggies?

 

[waggy]

Wow really? It's ~$15 for a 20lb canister paying by the gallon around here....I wonder if we have BJs...

i'm sure you can find a BJ on MLK boulevard.

 

[CoPhotoGuy]

haha, grill newb here. I moved into a house with my fiancee 6 weeks ago and have been looking to get a grill I just pulled the trigger on this cheap ass one: http://www.target.com/p/char-broil-4-burner-gas-grill/-/A-14263674. $147 after tax I figured I'd go cheap for my first one.

OK, so now that I have the grill, what do I need to get. A filled propane tank at the gas station, or is there a better place to get it? How much does propane cost. I figure I should get a cover. Anything else I should get?

How should I clean it, and with what. I've read about people preferring to not clean the grates. Does this literally mean not clean them, or just use a brush

Any other tips and tricks are very welcome.

Is what legal? Filling propane at a gas station? Well they sell it there don't they?

 

[preslove]

Is what legal? Filling propane at a gas station? Well they sell it there don't they?

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http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2434896

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[CoPhotoGuy]

That doesn't look anything like me.

 

[NetWareHead]

So, let's talk veggies. If you're going to make a veggie side for your meat on the grill, how do you cook the veggies?

Some grills come with a gas side burner. Look for the deep fryer attachment accessory and you're all set.

 

[preslove]

Some grills come with a gas side burner. Look for the deep fryer attachment accessory and you're all set.

Grilled veggies! Veggie tempura is a waste of oil!

That doesn't look anything like me.

 

[DrPizza]

Just watch out if you exchange tanks. I noticed at a 7-11 the other day that they had a tank exchange. The tanks were filled with 15 pounds. That's 75% full. They might tell you, "you've got to leave some space at the top" - that's designed into the tank size. A 20 pound tank safely holds 20 pounds of propane, and has the extra space at the top. I believe the cost for the exchange was $24. 3/4 of a tank should cost about $9 for the propane, so you're getting ripped off.

That's right 7-11 if you're reading this, I'm informing consumers that you're ripping off the uninformed consumers.

Buy your own tank, buy a second tanks; don't buy the tanks at the exchange places. Get it refilled at somewhere like BJ's. They even have a good price for non-members. If you see someone with a free grill at the curb, and it has a tank, grab the tank! I have 4 tanks at the moment; 2 are half full, 2 are empty. I'll fill them all this week when I get a chance, and that'll cover me for the summer.

 

[ponyo]

My Weber Genesis S330 has a lever that shows approximately how much propane is left in the tank. I have two tanks I use for the grill. I got both for free from people throwing out their old grill with propane tank still attached.

I don't understand how people don't clean their cooking grates. That's just nasty. I clean mine and it's super easy because it's stainless steel grates. I can take grill cleaning brush and quickly swipe it couple times after cooking and get everything clean. It's why I prefer complete stainless steel internals on a gas grill. Makes cleanup a breeze. You can't do that on cast iron grates or you'll ruin the finish.

 

[CoPhotoGuy]

Grilled veggies! Veggie tempura is a waste of oil!

 

[DrPizza]

My Weber Genesis S330 has a lever that shows approximately how much propane is left in the tank. I have two tanks I use for the grill. I got both for free from people throwing out their old grill with propane tank still attached.

I don't understand how people don't clean their cooking grates. That's just nasty. I clean mine and it's super easy because it's stainless steel grates. I can take grill cleaning brush and quickly swipe it couple times after cooking and get everything clean. It's why I prefer complete stainless steel internals on a gas grill. Makes cleanup a breeze. You can't do that on cast iron grates or you'll ruin the finish.

I don't "clean" my grates - I simply crank all 5 burners to full blast, close the lid, and leave it for 15 or 20 minutes. Pretty much the same thing as a self-cleaning oven. Nice and clean.

 

[cabri]

Apparently there are new Federal regulations that allow filling of tanks that are only less than 5 years old. The date is stamped on tanks.

Tanks older are not supposed to be filled.

So when snatching tanks, keep that in mind.