Gas Bottle Level with Boiling Water Trick?

I just shake the bottle to get an idea of how full it is.

It works OK. The water dries quickly off the top of the bottle (the empty bit) and leaves condensation on the lower bit. Works best if the bottle is warmed in the sun. Can also get those stick on tell tales that you pour water over.

I tried the hot water trick & it showed me nothing. Still using the tank after 4 weeks.
Cheers
Fred

Matt,
Works fine for me. Pour the hot water on the outside of gas cylinder, wait a few seconds then run your hand up and down the side. You will actually feel a difference in temperature where the level is, as the liquid gas is colder as compared to the vapour. As a previous reader wrote, you can get those stick on ones, may be a little easier.

Mick

Thanks for all your replies. Might have a look for these stick thermometers at bcf later on in the week. Will try the hot water when the kettle has boiled. Thanks all
Matt

Just install a safety cut-out device with a gauge built in. Apart from the priceless safety feature of the auto cut-off, in the event of a leak etc, it also indicates remaining gas level.

Bought an ultrasonic device in the UK that gives accurate reading of gas in bottles.
Mounts underneath gas bottle. Brilliant made in Germany

Best way is to pour the boiling water down one side of bottle , then run a finger UP the bottle , that way you can feel when cold becomes hot
But doing it from top to bottom i.e. from hot to cold it is not very easy to feel the level
Garry

I bought my bottles with a built-in gauge.

Internally there is a float mechanism and externally a small plastic indicator gauge.

Available (I think) in 4.5 & 9 litre bottles.

In South Australia , you can buy them from Maxbuilt Trading at Norwood.

G,day.....there is a gas fuse that I have bought for my bottles cost about $30 each from Kmart, big W etc.....they actually show you how much is left in your bottle and also protect from flash back etc.
If you require the make etc let me know and I will post the details.

SARGE

Hi all,

First to Matt: Yes it does work. As decribed above, you run hot water down the side of the bottle for, say, 10 seconds, wait 10 -20 seconds, then run your fingers up & down the side of the bottle. The liquid/gas level is usually easy to find unless the bottle's either full or just about empty.

Just a thought and would welcome feedback from readers: As an active caravanner, I've had in mind for a while a remote gas bottle level detector. Nothing as flash as an ultrasonic device but rather one that gives a four or five step indication (i.e. full, 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, "not much left"). So, if this was available and safe and reliable to use in-situ in a caravan/motorhome boot/cabinet, would you buy one? Would around $100 be reasonable? I'd be pleased to receive comment on this. Ta.