If you are a new griddle user, you may be surprised at how fast the grill burns through propane tanks. It can be more frustrating if you bought a small tank and it runs out after a few cooks. So, how much propane is your new griddle going to use, and how long will a propane bottle last?
Many factors determine the longevity of your propane when cooking on a Blackstone griddle. Among them are the size and type of your grill and the capacity of your propane tank.
How Long Does Propane Last on Blackstone Griddle
If you have all burners on high, the standard 20 lb propane tank will last an approximate time of seven hours.
The standard 20 lb propane tank usually contains about 4.73 gallons of propane, which is equal to 430,270 BTU. With all burners on high, a Blackstone uses 60,000 BTU. Remember also that the propane exchange tanks are only filled to about 15 lbs; this means that your time may be less.
Heat and British Thermal Unit (BTU)
Understanding the units of measurements related to heat and propane is essential. If you are planning for your next excursion or camping, this knowledge will help you know how much propane gas you will carry.
Knowing how much that bottle of propane will last with your griddle cushions from any inconveniences out there. It also gives you peace as you prepare your delicacies on your griddle.
Among the essential terms you will need to understand is the British Thermal Unit (BTU).
You will find these initials labeled on almost every appliance that generates heat. You will find them on your hairdryer, your furnace, all the way to your griddle.
A BTU rating on a grill gives the specified maximum output of the main or the primary burners.
It’s the amount of heat that a product produces that determines BTUs. The measurement is always taken in a BTU rating.
Great quality griddles with heavy metal cooking grates tend to have lower BTU than the cheaper quality. Such quality griddles are excellent in trapping and holding the heat produced.
As such, a grill with 80 to 100 BTUs per square inch heats up quickly and maintains that cooking heat.
Propane BTU Ratings by Bottle Size
Usually, all propane bottles are marked with two measurements, the weight and BTUs.
The weight of propane is measured in pounds. A standard 20 lb propane tank will have a BTU rating of 432,804 BTUs.
To determine your consumption, divide the total BTUs of the propane by the per-hour BTU rating of your grill.
For example:
- A standard 20 lb propane tank rates at 432,804 BTUs.
- A Blackstone 36 has a rating of 60,000 BTUs when all burners are on a high.
Therefore, to get how long your 20 lb propane tank will last:
- = 432,804 divided by 60,000, which equals 7.2134 hours. (Approximately 7.2 hours)
This simple calculation is important in determining how long your propane tank will last. It will also give you a clear idea of the size of the propane tank that you need to purchase to cater to your needs.
How Much Propane Does a Blackstone Griddle Use?
A Blackstone griddle is dense and absorbs a lot of heat before reaching its optimal cooking temperatures. In the process, it consumes a lot of propane and needs, even more, to get the job done.
A large grill can go through a 5-lb propane tank in less than two hours when set at its highest performance level. A 1-lb propane tank will not last even an hour for a standard-size griddle.
If you want to get the best performance from your Blackstone griddle, it would be good to buy a 20-lb propane tank. This tank lasts at least 7 hours for the 36-inch grill and 36 hours for the 17-inch model.
Propane Usage Rating for Blackstone Griddles
After some research, we have come up with a simplified chart to show you the consumption ratings of all the Blackstone griddles. The ratings are applicable whether you use your griddle indoors or outdoors.
Please note that the ratings are based on the griddles being set on high heat. As such, they may differ a bit from what you get depending on how many burners you are using, at what settings, and for how long.
You probably don’t cook with all burners on high heat every time. Therefore, your propane tank is likely to last longer than the approximated figures below.
| Griddle Size & Type | BTU Rating | Number of Hours it Lasts | ||
| 1-lb Propane | 5-lb Propane | 20-lb Propane | ||
| Blackstone 17-inch Adventure | 12,000 BTU | 1.79 | 9.15 | 36.06 |
| Blackstone 22-inch Tabletop | 24,000 BTU | 0.89 | 4.57 | 18.03 |
| Blackstone Griddle 28-inch | 34,000 BTU | 0.63 | 3.23 | 12.72 |
| Blackstone Griddle 36-inch | 60,000 BTU | 0.36 | 1.83 | 7.21 |
| Blackstone 17-inch Air Fryer Combo | 12,500 BTU | 1.72 | 8.78 | 34.62 |
| Blackstone 17-inch with Side Burner | 24,000 BTU Combined | 0.89 | 4.57 | 18.03 |
| Blackstone Tailgater Combo | 35,000 BTU Combined | 0.61 | 3.13 | 12.36 |
Reading a Propane Tank Gauge
It’s important to understand that the fuel gauge of your propane tank shows you the percentage of the fuel left in your tank.
Also, note that not all propane tank gauges are the same. However, they all perform the same function of letting you know how much propane is left in the tank.
Note: As a matter of precaution, it’s important to refill your tank when the gauge reads 20% or below.
In most cases, you must have noticed that upon delivery, your propane gauge reads 80 percent. Don’t be alarmed; your propane gas is stored in liquid form; thus, the 20 % space remaining is to allow for expansion as heat rises.
The chart below shows you how much gas is left in your tank based on the size of your tank and the gauge reading.
| Gauge Reading | 120 – Gallon Tank | 250 – Gallon Tank | 500 – Gallon Tank | 1,000 – Gallon Tank |
| 80% | 96 gallons | 200 gallons | 400 gallons | 800 gallons |
| 70% | 84 gallons | 175 gallons | 350 gallons | 700 gallons |
| 60% | 72 gallons | 150 gallons | 300 gallons | 600 gallons |
| 50% | 60 gallons | 125 gallons | 250 gallons | 500 gallons |
| 40% | 48 gallons | 100 gallons | 200 gallons | 400 gallons |
| 30% | 36 gallons | 75 gallons | 150 gallons | 300 gallons |
| 20% | 24 gallons | 50 gallons | 100 gallons | 200 gallons |
| 10% | 12 gallons | 25 gallons | 50 gallons | 100 gallons |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use a 20-lb propane tank on a Blackstone griddle?
Yes, you can use a 20-lb propane tank on your Blackstone griddle, provided you have a Propane Adaptor Hose with Regulator. The hose allows you to connect smaller grills, 17-inch, and 22-inch, to the large 20-pounds propane tank.
Is camper propane the same as grill propane?
Yes, these propane tanks serve the same purpose and are safe to use interchangeably. They are ideal for travel trailers and fifth wheels’ usage. Most people, while on RVs, use the onboard propane tanks to fuel gas grills for outdoor cooking.
Can you use any propane tank on an RV?
Most motorhomes and RVs come with ASME tanks which are considered built-in propane tanks. The tanks mount to the outside of the RV and are not removable. They vary in storage capacity and size.
Does camping propane expire?
Every camping propane tank has an expiry date on it. Unopened and unused camping propane tanks have a shelf life of up to seven years. After opening, ensure that you use the gas within two years.
Wrapping Up
How long propane lasts on a Blackstone griddle depends mainly on the size of your tool. It also depends on the capacity of the propane tank. The least a small propane tank can last on a large grill is 0.3 hours, while a large tank can last over 36 hours when used on a small grill.