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Backyard Review

Free tool

How long will a tank last?

Pick your fire table or patio heater, set your usual flame, and see hours per tank and what an evening really costs.

Maximum output: 50,000 BTU/hr, from the maker's page.

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$

Example value. Enter what you pay locally.

Tip: tanks from exchange programs are often filled with less than the label size. If you know what yours holds, pick the closest size.

One tank lasts about

12.3 hours

≈ 4.1 evenings at 3 hr each

Fuel cost per hour

$2.03

Per evening

$6.10

Per month

$106

≈ 4.2 tanks

Propane burned

1.63 lb/hr

at your flame setting

How this is calculated

Propane carries roughly 21,500 BTU per pound, so burn rate = (maximum BTU/hr × flame setting) ÷ 21,500. Hours per tank = pounds in the tank ÷ pounds burned per hour.

We assume output scales with the flame setting. Real burners aren't perfectly linear, and wind, temperature and regulators change the numbers, so treat this as an estimate, not a promise.

As a reality check, Fire Sense lists about 10 hours on a 20-lb tank for its 40,000–50,000 BTU patio heaters, which is in line with this math at full output.

Fuel prices are yours to enter; we don't guess them. For safe placement and clearances, follow the manufacturer's manual and local rules.

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