As we wind down another summer season, grilling season is still in full bloom. Gas grills are center stage dishing out burgers, dogs, and smiles. But all grillers know one thing can bring the fun to a halt: running out of propane!
Many homeowners ask us, “Can I hook up my grill to my home propane tank? It always has plenty of gas.”
While it sounds like a reasonable idea, you shouldn’t hook your gas grill to your home propane tank. The practice is neither safe nor cost-effective for home grilling.
The Top 3 Reasons NOT to Hook Up Your Grill Tank to Your Home Tank:
CAUTION: This is Not a DIY Job
Search online and you will come across numerous “how-to” guides on connecting your propane grill and home-supply tank.
Don’t risk it.
Adjustments to your propane connections should only be made by a licensed professional. An insecure connection can lead to a propane gas leak and compromise your safety.
Connecting Your Grill to Your Home Tank is Not Work the Risk
You risk wasting hundreds of gallons of propane
We’ve all done it—gotten caught up in a good barbecue and left on the grill tank supply.
Now, imagine your grill tank is connected to your home supply. Instead of losing 17.3 lbs of propane, you’re risking losing 250-500 gallons of propane!
Even if you are diligent about turning the grill supply off, leaks can still happen. Mice, squirrels, or other backyard pests are notorious for chewing on propane lines.
A separate propane grill tank is safer
The grill tank in your backyard contains an automatic shut-off valve for safety. When you connect your grill directly to your home supply, you lose this safety feature. You have to remember to turn off the gas every time.
If you forget, too much gas can up in your grill. This could lead to a dangerous combustion the next time someone turns on the grill’s ignition knob.
Keep your grill portable
When colder temperatures become more frequent, your grilling days are numbered. To protect your grill from the elements, you may want to move it to a covered area or garage.
However, if your grill is attached to your home tank, this task becomes more difficult. It would require you to unhook and safely seal propane lines. And then you will need to reconnect it come next grilling season.
Overall, it is not worth connecting your home propane supply to your gas grill. If you are tired of running out of gas mid-cooking, then here are some tips.
How to avoid running out of propane gas for your grill
- Weigh your grill tank before you grill. A full grill tank weighs about 40 lbs and contains about 17 gallons of propane, enough to grill for 18 hours or so. An empty tank will weigh about 20 lbs.
- Buy a propane gauge. $15-$20 at any hardware store, a gauge can give you an accurate reading of your propane level at a glance.
To save money and keep your family safe, stick with a separate propane tank for your grill.
Switch without losing what you’ve paid for.
When you become a Kauffman Gas customer, you will receive a gallon-for-gallon credit for up to 200 gallons of the propane you’ve already paid for from your current provider.
Thank you for this article. The information is invaluable. You just helped me to not make a dire mistake.
Anytime!
My home has a propane system that includes a hard gas line to my rear deck, with a shutoff valve. So most of the issues you discuss dont apply to my situation….other than not to be forgetful, which applies regardless.
A shutoff valve is a good measure.