3. The seat-of-the-pants method.
Pour hot water over a section of your o o tank, then run your hand up and down ii' the side. The part of the tank that turns warm is empty; the part that feels cool is full. You can get an idea of how much propane is left based on this. At least one propane-exchange company - Blue Rhino - includes a disk on its tank that, with the help of hot tap water, will let you know when there's less than 2 hours of grill time left. Tapeon gauges, like the one shown (above), are also available. If you still need backup insurance, you have three options: Keep a filled spare propane tank on hand, convert your grill to natural gas, or buy a product like the Flame Saver tank, which provides an extra 60 minutes of grilling time with the flick of a switch when your main tank runs out.

4.All new fiberglass tanks
With a visible gas level it takes the guess work out of figuring out the propane tank level. Clear View (R) is made from composite materials weighing 50% less than traditional steel bottles with the same gas volume. It is available through summitoutdoorsgear.com

• When you haul your tank to the refill station or exchange center, transport it in an old milk crate. It's just the right size to hold the tank snugly upright and will protect your tank and valve from being damaged ( or damaging other objects) by rolling around.
• Store excess tanks outside, in the shade, in an upright position away from the grill or other heat sources. And never leave a tank in a hot trunk or car.
• Tank-exchange programs usually
  save time and hassle and don't cost much more than a refill (unless you exchange a tank that has propane left in it). Most exchange centers (there are over 50,000 of them in the u.s.) will