"TBone" wrote in message
...
Actually, they are filled to 80% to leave room for the gas to accumulate
as
it is the gas that is burned, not the liquid.

--
If at first you don't succeed, you're not cut out for skydiving
"Ralph Mowery" wrote in message
link.net...

"runsrealfast" wrote in message
oups.com...
Dan

my 250 gal tank has a gauge, that really is a % full gauge. They only
fill it to 80%. Don't know if your small BBQ tank fits the same
guidelines.

John


They are only filled to 80% so that when the tank gets hot the propane
inside has some space to expand to.


While the gas and not the liquid burns, it is still only filled to 80 % for
expansion due to temperature. If filled all the way and the temperature
warms up slightly you will vent the tank through the relief valve.

From: http://www.teardropparts.com/sub-pag...afety-tips.htm

By design, approximately 20% of the interior space in all propane tanks, OPD
and otherwise, is reserved for expansion to safely accommodate the 1.5%
increase in volume that propane experiences for every 10 degree Fahrenheit
temperature increases. In an overfilled tank, insufficient space may remain
as the propane warms up, expelling gas and/or liquid forcefully through the
safety relief valve.