Using the propane spigot on our main tank - anyone do that for BBQ?

[Susie236]

We have a spigot that we can hook the BBQ up to so we never have to worry about providing propane.  We haven't been using it because my husband is worried the guests will leave it on and then drain all the propane in the house tank which would affect the cook top and the central heat.  We just rented an Airbnb and they did have their BBQ hooked up to the same kind of house spigot - and just had signs reminding the guests to turn off the spigot when they were done.

Has anyone used their main propane for the BBQ and what kind of success have you had with guests turning it off?  Our main tank is monitored by computer by our propane distributor, but I definitely would not like to refill the whole tank for a BBQ.

[Fred13]

@Susie236  In my experience BBQs usually come or are provided with small ('5 pound', the ones sold at even many convenient store) separate tanks, just to circumvent the case and consideration you described. They usually come with a different type (non-regulated) quick-connect female type of connector because of this reality (the regulator is built-in the actual BBQ unit). Example: the Q series by Weber.

[Kia272]

@Susie236  Do as @Fred13 suggested and keep things simple. Don't overthink this. Buy two tanks for the BBQ, so you'll always have a full one on hand if one runs out. Easy peasy. 

[Susie236]

I think I didn't explain it very well.  We DO have two tanks for the BBQ already.  We just have to make sure to keep them full.  Our house DOES have the hookup already, my husband doesn't want to use it because he's afraid our guests will leave it on.  I wondered if anyone has used their BBQ hookup to the main gasline with their Airbnb guests and what kind of luck you have had?  We go to AZ all winter so the less hassles the better.

[Lorna170 · Accepted solution]

@Susie236 We installed a timer on the propane line from our house tank to the grill.  It is available on Amazon and probably from your propane company as well.  It is very simple to use -- dial the time needed and it will automatically shut off.  If you need more than 60 minutes of grill time, you have to reset it.  Works wonders in insuring that your guests do not leave the grill on for three days ...like ours did.

[Sybe]

@Lorna170 For three days?! I hope it was the grill outside they left on!

I have a "skottelbraai" at home (not sure what they'd be called in English... camping grills?) but it uses the 450g propane cartridges. I doubt they'd last three days if left on!

[Lorna170]

@Sybe  and @Susie236   The OP wanted to know how to control the gas line from the 300-500 gallon propane tank that provides gas to the home IF they decided to also connect the gas grill to that same source.

Our gas grill is connected to the house propane tank which is 300 gallons.  I do not have to worry about refilling the small tanks that are on most grills.  I have the regulator timer so that the gas grill will automatically shut off after the selected time period, a max of 60 minutes and the guest has to reset the timer if they need more time to grill.

The timer was purchased many years ago after a guest left the outdoor grill on for three days.  I have no idea how they could not have noticed this.  It cost me a lot of money as the 300 gallon tank was emptied.  Since installing the timer, we have had NO ISSUES with the gas being left on by mistake, and our gas bill actually DECREASED.