A full 20 lb propane tank should weigh 37 pounds. This total weight is a combination of the propane fuel itself and the empty weight of the tank.
Understanding the Weight of a Full Propane Tank
To understand why a 20-pound propane tank weighs 37 pounds when full, it's important to differentiate between the weight of the fuel and the weight of the cylinder itself.
- Propane Fuel Weight: A 20 lb propane tank is designed to hold 20 pounds of liquid propane. This is the net weight of the fuel.
- Tare Weight (TW): The empty weight of the cylinder is referred to as its Tare Weight (TW). For a typical 20-pound tank, this empty cylinder weighs approximately 17 pounds.
- Total Weight: When you combine the weight of the empty tank with the weight of the propane fuel, you get the total weight of a full tank.
- 17 pounds (empty tank) + 20 pounds (propane fuel) = 37 pounds (full tank)
Breakdown of a 20 lb Propane Tank's Weight
The following table summarizes the components contributing to the total weight of a full 20 lb propane tank:
| Component | Weight (pounds) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Empty Tank (TW) | 17 | The weight of the cylinder itself, without any fuel. |
| Propane Fuel | 20 | The actual amount of propane liquid the tank is designed to hold. |
| Total Full Weight | 37 | The combined weight of the empty tank and the full capacity of propane fuel. |
Identifying Tank Weights and Capacities
Each portable propane tank is stamped with important information, typically on the collar or neck of the cylinder. Look for:
- TW (Tare Weight): This indicates the weight of the empty cylinder in pounds.
- WC (Water Capacity): While not the exact propane weight, the Water Capacity is a measure of the tank's total volume in pounds of water. For a 20 lb propane tank, the "20 lb" refers to the amount of propane it holds, which is tied to its overall capacity.
Knowing these numbers can help you determine how much propane you have left. By weighing your tank on a scale and subtracting its Tare Weight (TW), you can estimate the remaining propane. For example, if your tank weighs 27 pounds, and its TW is 17 pounds, you have 10 pounds of propane remaining (27 - 17 = 10).
