Posted: November 10, 2025

How to Check Propane Levels

When Your Fuel Is Low, Call Becks Propane for a Refill

Here at Becks Propane, we provide all of our customers who opt into our Automatic Delivery service a free propane tank monitor. This device connects to your propane tank and allows us to check and track fuel levels in real time. This information lets us know when you will need your next propane delivery.

A propane tank monitor makes things easy and convenient while helping to ensure that you never find yourself in a situation where you’re out of fuel.

Homeowners who don’t have a propane tank monitor will need to check and track their own fuel levels — and Becks Propane can walk you through exactly how to do this.

The Different Ways to Check Your Propane Levels

There are a few different methods that a homeowner can use to track their propane tank’s fuel levels:

• Use warm water: Pour hot water down the side of your propane tank. Run your hand along the tank to feel for a cold spot — this cold area indicates the current fuel level.
• Use a scale: For smaller-sized tanks, you can use a standard scale. First, find your tank’s water capacity (WC) and tare weight (TW), which is how much the tank weighs when it’s empty. These numbers should be stamped somewhere on the tank. Place your tank on a scale and subtract the TW from the number on the scale to determine how much fuel is left inside.
• Use a gauge: Many propane tanks come with an external gauge that shows how much propane remains. If yours doesn’t, you can purchase one — options include digital propane tank gauges, inline pressure gauges, and analog propane scales.

It’s important to check your propane levels regularly so that you know when to place your next fuel order. If you’re a Becks Propane will-call customer, we recommend ordering when your tank is about 30% full. This gives you enough time to schedule a delivery without risking a runout.

What Having a “Full” Propane Tank Means

For safety reasons, propane tanks are never filled completely to the top. A small amount of space is left for the fuel to expand as temperatures rise. That’s why a propane tank is considered “full” at the 80% mark.

This means that the size of your propane tank doesn’t equal how many gallons of propane it can safely hold. For example, a 500-gallon propane tank will safely hold about 400 gallons of propane.

Get Your Propane from Becks Propane

Whenever your Central Michigan home’s propane tank needs more fuel, Becks Propane is here to help. We offer the most dependable residential propane delivery services in Eaton, Ingham, Shiawassee, Clinton, and surrounding counties.

Becks Propane is a company that goes above and beyond to ensure our customers have the fuel they need all year long.

Contact Becks Propane today to learn more about the propane and propane tank services we offer throughout the Greater Lansing, Michigan region.