How much propane does grilling use?
Quick answer
Most 3-burner grills consume roughly 30,000–45,000 BTU per hour on full blast — meaning a 20 lb tank (~430,000 BTU usable) lasts about 10–20 hours of actual grill time depending on settings. Medium heat with two burners uses noticeably less than searing on all burners.
Estimate your usage
Multiply burner BTU ratings by how many you run and how long you cook. Weeknight 30-minute sessions on two burners medium use far less fuel than weekend marathon smoking with three burners high.
Tips to save fuel
- Preheat lid-down, then reduce heat
- Turn off unused burners
- Keep burners and ports clean for efficient combustion