We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.
We’re only a few weeks into summer, but I’ve already found the season’s MVP. Could it be these brilliant bug-repelling incense sticks (which often sell out and happen to be back in stock)? These stunning insulated wine tumblers? This perfectly perforated grill basket? Those are all very close guesses. The correct answer: This propane tank gauge, which is on sale right now as an early Prime Day deal. Allow me to explain. After running out of propane one too many times, I realized we needed help. (The inability to grill can really ruin an outdoor grilling session.)
My husband and I used to, um, just kinda guess how much propane we had left. We’d use our fingers to sloppily count how many weeks we thought it’d been since we hooked up the tank. We’ve also tried the boiling water trick without much luck. If you’re not familiar, the idea is that you can pour a cup of boiling water along the side of the tank and feel for where things start to feel cold to the touch, indicating the propane level. It works, in theory. We’ve just found that it still requires too much guesswork. And so, after reading some online reviews, we added this $17 gauge (it’s a bestseller on Amazon and has more than 12,000 five-star reviews) to our joint Christmas wishlist. Turns out, it makes for a great stocking stuffer, and my in-laws were grateful for the guidance!
As soon as the weather began to thaw, we dusted off the grill, gave it a thorough cleaning, and hooked up our new gauge. It couldn’t be easier to install: It just screws on between the tank and the hose. Then, the dial clearly indicates the level of remaining propane. If the needle is in the green, you’re golden. If it’s yellow, you’re going to want to plan to swap out your tank within a cookout or two.
I will say, the gauge does make things a little more stressful. While a standard tank of propane should give you 18 to 20 hours of cook time, It can be alarming to see how much the needle drops in a single weekend. But you know what? I’d rather have this gadget keep me on my toes than have to run to a nearby convenience store, mid-party, to swap out the tank. I’ve done it. It’s not fun. Quizzing my husband to guess where the needle is pointing on the gauge? Well, that’s actually a lot of fun!
To makes things even more fun: The gadget is on sale ahead of Prime Day next week — and and you can get it at a whopping 36 percent off discount right now. Make sure to get one for yourself ASAP while grilling season is still in full swing!
Do you have any grilling tools you love? Tell us in the comments below.