GrillPro 00030 Magnetic Gas Level Indicator , Black

Works as advertised. I bought 4 of them at this price to put on a 100 lb tank (stacked one above the other since they are only 4" tall...). The magnet only measures the temperature of the surface beneath it, so it is only as accurate as the temperature difference on the tank surface. For it to show any real difference in temperature across the liquid/gas line the tank needs to be running for a bit. This will cause the liquid to get colder due to evaporation (basic thermodynamics). When the liquid gets cold enough the tank next to the liquid gets colder than the tank next to the air above the liquid level. The magnets just measure the temperature of the tank rather than directly measuring the actual liquid level. If you run the tank long enough you can get condensation (water) on the outside or even frost (if it gets really cold and the room it is in isn't too warm) where the liquid level is. This works great - but you have to know what it is actually measuring for it to "work". If the entire magnet is over the liquid or the air part (the line is above or below the magnet) then it will show a consistent temperature and you will think it doesn't 'work'. Or, if the liquid hasn't had enough time for the evaporation to make a significant temperature difference, you will also not see anything on the magnets - but this isn't the sensor's fault.

I cannot see any indication of the level of propane in the tank with this gauge. While using the tank, with the propane running, in the shade, the gauge stuck on the tank in several different places (I actually bought 4 of these, and have put 3 on a tank in different spots to cover the whole tank so as to be sure to pick up a level somewhere) and using tanks that was later shown to be about half full, I could never see any indication of a level. Ambient temperatures were about 70 F. I used these gauges both on a barbecue grill tank while cooking some steaks, and also on my RV tanks while running the propane stove. The gauges were over about where the propane level should have been, and essentially they covered the entire tank anyway. I will say that at the longest I ran the propane about 15 minutes. I suspect that if I had run it much longer the gauge would have been able to pick up a level.It's really important for me to be able to measure the amount of propane left in a tank and from research I've done on line so far there seem to be 2 viable options: a scale the works based on the weight of the tank and see through tanks (yes, if you search for these you will find there are fibreglass tanks DOT approved where you can see the level of propane in the tank, not cheap about $70 for 5 gallon and $120 for 7.5 gallon tanks). These magnetic temperature based gauges unfortunately don't work and pressure gauges are said not to work and also many complaints about the pressure gauges leaking. Currently, the only inexpensive answer is the propane tank spring scale gauge.I think the inventor of this gauge had a good idea, but where he or she went wrong is a.) the magnet and b.) the short length of the gauge. What would almost certainly work is a long strip that covered the whole length of the tank (in two sections: one above and one below the weld line. Actually 2 gauge strips for one tank) and used an adhesive to stick it to the side of the tank, instead of a magnet. I use something like this to measure temperatures in plastic fermenters when brewing beer; they are dirt cheap and work well. I think probably the magnet has too much thermal mass, and is probably conducting heat up and down the gauge. A very thin, cheap, adhesive tape like gauge wouldn't have this problem and would pick up a temperature change more quickly. Back to the drawing board guys.

This did not work for me. Right in the middle of cooking, I had to go out and get a refilled propane tank. I consider it hard to read and totally unreliable. I'm better off tapping the tank with a screwdriver to figure out where the liquid level is. Unfortunately, too late to return it. I definitely recommend not to buy this product.

I see there's a "customer" comment by the manufacturer that these are designed for use with 20-lb tanks. Shame on them for not saying that outright. But it does work ok for 20-lb tanks, IF you run at fairly high BTUs. If you put this thing on a tank that is not in use, or burning little fuel, like when I use my smoker, you might see nothing useful at all. However, if you pour hot water over the patch, you will (within an inch or so) see the temperature gradient between the liquid and gas phases, even when you are not burning fuel. Better than feeling with your hand, so for me, it's worth the few bucks it costs.

You can't beat this gas grill gauge for the price. I looked at many types of gas gauges and after looking at the reviews, this one by GrillPro seemed like the best value for the money. Now that I have it, it works well and I was pleased by the low price. The magnet sticks well on the gas tank. You do need to start the grill and let it heat up a couple minutes and then the gauge will register. We grill at least once a week, and it's been a big help to us.

First and foremost, thwre is no way to gauge the size of this magnet from the pics. I envisioned it might be nearly the same size as a 20# (4.62 gallon) tank since it reads from full all the way to empty. Full is at the top and empty at the bottom right? Wrong! Since it's about 1/3 the height of the outside of the tank, full and empty are relative, but the magnet is still way too small. That said, reading it was impossible for me. Granted I am color blind in some colors so maybe it's me, but I never once saw a change in color. In the end I put it in the trash and bought the needle gauge that screws directly on the tank and I have no trouble reading it and it seems to be accurate.

Magnetic, versatile

Es un buen producto solo que aun no logro descifrar correctamente su funcionamiento, lo he puesto en los tanques que tengo y si marca pero entre uno y otro que están llenos marca de forma diferente. Desafortunadamente no hay una página de internet o algún tutorial que explique de forma adecuada su funcionamiento.

I wish I had a measurement like this for the sins against my soul. It would give me a decent idea of what to expect in the afterlife.I like the colors, seems to work fine. A great addition to my workshop.

Doesn’t show level of propane in the colder weather

Hard to see level on indicator.

Magnetic quality could be stronger as my tank reader had trouble staying on the tank. Level of propane more difficult to understand compared to other tank readers I have used.