Sam...

The tank weighs 10# empty and takes 10# of propane. I bought a fish scale (the type the other half of the boating world uses to weigh their catch) and use it to weigh the tank. This gives me a pretty good idea of when the tank is getting low. The fish scales have a hook to attach the fish and I simply take out the tank pick it up with the hook and weigh it.... if the weight is close to 10#, time for a refill.

Sam

I bought a new composite 10# cylinder made by the Lite Cylinder Co. I paid like $82 delivered with a $10 coupon from Garden.com. It fits easily in the cylinder compartment on my '99 MK II

You can see through the tank to visually check tank level.

I carry 2 of the small green propane bottles; I use them for my BBQ, and have an adapter which allows them to be attached to the boat's propane connector if the tank runs out. Two of them fit under the lid of the propane compartment. One bottle lasts a surprisingly long time, but I'm not cruising extensively, so can return to my marina to get the tank filled fairly easily. Not sure if that solution would work for you.

I like the idea of the fish scale to weigh the tank; think I'll have to pick one of those up.

There are also new composite bottles available that allow you to visually see the fluid level.

Pierview, nice tip on the weight figures, I have owned my boat for five years. I am still working off what was in the bottle when I purchased the boat with no clue what was left in the bottle. As you may assume, I do not do a lot of cooking aboard. I have cooked as much on my hot engine as on the stove.

Steve

I always seem to have plenty of 1# propane bottles aboard for the BBQ. So, like Gary, I bought an adapter. Mine came from WM.

Part No. 315269

[URL]http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catal...

[QUOTE=pierview;16974]Sam...

The tank weighs 10# empty and takes 10# of propane. I bought a fish scale (the type the other half of the boating world uses to weigh their catch) and use it to weigh the tank. This gives me a pretty good idea of when the tank is getting low. The fish scales have a hook to attach the fish and I simply take out the tank pick it up with the hook and weigh it.... if the weight is close to 10#, time for a refill.[/QUOTE]

Are the aluminum ones 10 lbs, or the steel ones?

Sam, I have the original which I believe was a 7# tank and got the 10# tank (I'm thinking steel). We are on the boat most weekends and 2 10 day trips. Cooking meals and brewing coffee. When one runs out I replace with the other and that seems to having me fill one tank a year.

Digger... I never thought about that but when I had it filled, they filled it up to a total combined weight of 20 #'s and said it was a 10 pounder. I'd have to actually look at it to answer your question and the spring wx is really crappy in NJ today so I wont be going down to the harbor.

We don't have or use a BBQ aboard, or the adapter for the small bottles would be a good idea for when the main 10# tank runs out. Our PO had a holder made of starboard that sits on the stern rail and holds our spare 10# tank. That location allows for any escaping gas to stay out of the boat.

On our recent 7 month cruise, we went through about 2 tanks worth, but not easy to tells since we started and ended with a partially full tank. We were surprised how many ports did not have easy access to propane refills without a car.

Hi, Sam.

We have found that propane is a pretty efficient cooking fuel and we don't use as much as you might think.

Speaking of baking, I used to bake a lot of rum cakes, but my doctor wanted me to cut down on the fat, sugar, and carbs, so I just drink rum, now.

Doctors orders...:)

[QUOTE=... If I get a spare LPG tank and keep it filled as a back up, as you have, if I just lash it onto the aft rail, sitting on the quarter deck seat there, shouldn't that be safe enough for venting any LPG overboard? ...[/QUOTE]

Well, I think the amount of safety against having propane fumes (which are heavier than air) flow into the cockpit and then into the boat's interior depends on several factors. If the tank location is such that any leaking gas goes directly overboard, then you are in good shape. If wind can carry the gas into the cockpit, then not as much.

Also, the bridgedeck between the cockpit and companionway is pretty high on my MK II and I believe gas would flow out the open transom before getting below. Maybe the wrong wind situation would change that.

The best solution would be to have a built-in vented locker for two tanks, of course. If you don't feel that the spare tank location is safe enough, perhaps those spare little containers and an adapter is the best answer.

We are cruising with two 10lb aluminium tanks. Cooking for two of us, we usually estimate about - 4 or 5 weeks of use per tank. We have not had any difficulty getting propane refills in Mexico.
John Meyer
Currently in La Paz, MEX