9kg Gas Bottle Weight – How Much Does a 45kg Gas Bottle Weigh When Full

9kg Gas Bottle Weight – How Much Does a 45kg Gas Bottle Weigh When Full

The 9kg gas bottle weight full includes the weight of the gas bottle plus the 8.5kg of LPG, which is approximately 17.5kg.

Similarly, the 45kg of the LPG plus the empty weight of the bottle is how much a 45kg gas bottle weighs when full, which is approximately 78kg.

Full Weight = Empty (Tare) Weight + Weight of the Contents.

Knowing the weight of full and empty LPG gas bottles – is important.

It is arguably the best way to determine how much gas is left.

Weight of LPG (Contents) = Full Weight – Empty Weight

Gas Bottle Empty Weight = Tare Weight

Tare weight is synonymous with empty weight or unladen weight.

Gas bottles typically have the “tare weight” stamped into the metal neck ring.

It is sometimes abbreviated as “T.W.”.

Not all tare weights are equal, even if it is the same size gas bottle (e.g. 9kg or 20lb).

For example, the tare weight of steel 9kg gas bottles typically ranges from 7.8 to 10.4 kg and some exceptions may even fall outside of this range.

This is as a result of the manufacturing variances between all of the different gas bottle manufacturers.

The variances include different dimensions and dissimilar thicknesses of steel used in the manufacturing of the vessels.

This blog includes two LPG conversion charts (towards the end) with all of the tare weights for common Australian gas bottle sizes and US propane tank sizes.

There is also information regarding Indian 14.2kg domestic cooking gas cylinders.

LPG (Propane) Specific Gravity – Density

When determining the weight of the contents, it is important to know that the density of LPG – propane – is only about half that of water.

Unlike water, 1kg of LPG does NOT equal 1L of LPG.

1 pint of propane does not weigh ≈ 1lb.  It actually weighs 0.51lbs.

This is because the density or specific gravity of LPG is less than water.

In countries where LPG is propane (e.g. Australia and USA), 1kg of LPG has a volume of 1.96L.

Conversely, 1L of LPG weighs 0.51kg.

1 US gallon of propane weighs approximately 4.23lbs, instead of the 8.34lbs it would weigh if it was water.

Net Weight of the LPG (Propane)

The net weight is the weight of the actual contents.

The units of measure can vary based on location and method of delivery.

In metric units, kilograms (kg) are units of mass generally used when cylinders are refilled on an exchange basis.

Litres are used when the LPG is supplied by tanker and must be converted to kilograms to determine net or gross weight.

Pounds are used in countries that use the imperial or United States customary units of measure for mass, when cylinders are refilled on an exchange basis.

Gallons are used when the propane is supplied by tanker and must be converted to pounds to determine net or gross weight.

LPG Full Weight = Gross Weight

The full weight of the LPG gas bottle, is the combination of the tare weight and net weight.

In other words, the full weight is equal to the weight of the empty gas bottle plus the weight of the LPG contents.

Full Weight = Empty Weight + Weight of the Contents.

Determining Weight of Contents Using a Scale

With a small BBQ gas bottle (9kg or 20lb) you can determine how much gas is contained in the bottle by weighing it on a scale.

Just place it on the scale to get the full weight and then subtract the tare weight value to determine the amount of LPG contained within the gas bottle.