No one wants to run out of propane, especially in the middle of cooking a meal. The answer is to be prepared by having an extra refill and knowing how long a tank will last you. It depends on your tank size, how much and what types of cooking you do and so on. But a simple guideline will make it easier.
Average Propane Use for Cruisers
A basic rule of thumb is 1 pound per person per week of full-time living.
That assumes:
- “Average” amounts of cooking and baking; few to no electrical appliances such as coffee makers or microwaves
- No particularly cold weather where you cook or bake for long periods to warm up the boat
- No propane refrigeration (with a small propane refrigerator, we used a little over 1 pound a day for two people)
The larger the number of people, the less per person you’re likely to use as cooking time isn’t perfectly proportional to the amount cooked. And single-handers may go through a bit more. But for most families, one pound per person per week is a good starting point.
Tank Size Considerations
Many boats use 20-pound tanks, but note that if you do a tank exchange at a store (common in the US), it’s generally only filled with 15 pounds. I get about 2-1/2 months from one of these and just over 3 months with a full 20-pound tank. Some boats use 10-pound tanks to make them easier to carry for refills or exchanges and I’ve seen a couple of boats (who have propane refrigeration, which I really don’t recommend) that have 40-pound tanks.
Whatever size tank you get, I strongly recommend having two so that you can swap tanks instantly when one becomes empty (they always go empty at the least convenient times). The spare tank needs to be kept where any leak will not drain into the boat.
Tracking Your Propane Use
We also had a gauge on the propane line, which helped us know when a tank was getting low. A gauge isn’t strictly necessary, but if I’m baking something like bread or a cake where having the tank go empty in the middle would cause funny results (and not just a delay), I’ll check the propane level before lighting the oven and change the tank if it’s virtually empty.
The gauges may not be perfectly accurate, but we’ve had very good luck with them being close to correct (note: some brands get much better reviews than others). Also, when we see the needle starting to drop, we double-check that the spare tank is, in fact, full. All it takes is one morning without coffee and you’ll never forget to check again!
Advice So You Don’t Run out of Propane on Your Cruising Boat
Other cruisers often have great tips of their own. Laney suggested one low tech solution. Run boiling water down the side of the tank. Run you hands down the tank. Where it’s warm, there is no gas. It will feel cold where there is propane.
Pamela D, a member of the Boat Galley team, used a small luggage or fish scale (Amazon). It was a handheld doohickey with a spring. Subtract the tare weight printed on the side from the amount you measure to know how much is left. She also kept two tanks for her coastal cruising, an aluminum one she refilled and one she swapped out at the grocery store when refilling was not an option.
Jane H kept a basic backup on board–a 1 pound propane can she could attached to her regular propane. You wouldn’t want to rely on it, but it worked in a pinch. Obviously, it’s best to not run out unexpectedly. Hopefully, my tips will help you avoid this common problem for new cruisers.
Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
Simplify meal prep on board with proven strategies for provisioning, maximizing fridge space, and cooking delicious meals aboard your boat.
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