Author: andrew@agency15.com

One of the worst nightmares of any food truck owner – especially one just starting out – is to run out of propane in the middle of a busy workday, with a line of people waiting for food. That’s why it’s so important to understand how much propane you need to power all the appliances that keep your business up and running.

Here are some basic steps to calculating propane usage for your food truck.

Step 1: Measure your tank – Measure your propane tank’s height (from the floor to the top of the tank collar) and diameter (around its widest point) to determine its size. A typical 20 lb. tank is 18 inches high and has a diameter of 12.5 inches. A 30 lb. tank is 24 inches high and has a diameter of 12.5 inches. A 40 lb. tank is 29 inches high and has a diameter of 12.5 inches. A 100 lb. tank is 48 inches high and has a diameter of 14.5 inches.

Step 2: Determine your tank’s BTU capacity – When full,

• A 20 lb. propane tank has a 430,270 BTU capacity
• A 30 lb. propane tank has a 649,980 BTU capacity
• A 40 lb. propane tank has a 860,542 BTU capacity
• A 100 lb. propane tank has a 2,160,509 BTU capacity

Step 3. Add up BTU ratings for all your appliances – You can find the BTU rating on each appliance, or in its owner’s manual. Add the BTU rating of all your appliances together.

Step 4. Divide the BTU output of your tank (or tanks) by the total appliance BTU rating – This will determine how many hours your propane tank(s) will be able to power the appliances in your food truck to run at 100 percent.

That’s it!

Don’t get caught short of propane in your food truck – contact the food truck experts at Irish Propane today for fast, safe propane tank refueling – or any other food truck services, including planning, leak testing, certifications and inspections, and more!

*Please note that any appliance’s BTU rating assumes that the appliance is running at 100 percent – for example, a gas grill running with all burners set on “high” or a water heater set at its maximum temperature setting.

Whether you’re having all of your friends and family over for a holiday bash or you’re just ready for some chill out time with your family, July 4th is a great day to get out and do some cooking on your propane grill.

But what’s on the menu for American birthday # 242? Ready to do take on something ambitious and jaw dropping or something simple and classic?

Either way, here are four keys to making your meal something to remember.

1. Have enough propane on hand. One of the most important ways to make sure you have a great July 4^th grilling experience is to make sure you have enough propane on hand to do the job right. Fortunately, we can help you there, with 20-pound propane thanks available for purchase, exchange, or filling at our convenient Rochester- and Buffalo-area locations.
2. Do your grocery shopping early. Trust us, you’re not the only one with holiday grilling plans. Want to make sure you have that perfect prime rib cut, or that exotic rub you’ve been eyeing and salivating over? Get it now – don’t wait until the last minute.
3. Do a quick propane grill safety check. If you just replaced your propane tank, do a quick leak check – and always follow safe grilling practices.
4. 4. Have your favorite recipes on hand and ready to go. Of course the most important thing about grilling is the food – so do your research and find the perfect recipe for your friends and family!Here are some resources to help you get started:

• Real Simple
• Food & Wine
• Food Network
• Allrecipes

Yum! Grill well, friends – and Happy 4^th!

Don’t get caught with a gasless propane grill this 4^th of July! Visit one of our Rochester- and Buffalo-area locations today to refill your 20-pound propane cylinder.

Memorial Day is fast approaching, unofficially kicking off the start of summer for lots of folks in and around Rochester and Buffalo.

If you plans to feed some of them as part of your annual grilling extravaganza, that’s great – just don’t be the guy that runs out of propane halfway through the day’s festivities (we can help you with that – just stop into one of our convenient locations for a propane cylinder refill)!

More importantly, DO be the guy who grills safely. Here are some tips for how to do it:

1. Keep your grill at least six feet away from your home on sturdy and level ground.
2. Always keep an eye on children and pets, and never leave the grill unattended.
3. Check all hoses and connections for leaks before operating the grill.
4. To light, open the lid of the grill, then turn on the gas at the tank. Never light a gas grill with the lid closed – it could cause an explosion. If the grill doesn’t light after a couple of clicks, turn off the burner, turn the gas off at the tank, and wait 5 or 10 minutes before attempting to light it again.
5. Make sure to keep your grill lid accessible to extinguish small flare-ups. It’s also a good idea to portable fire extinguisher on-hand.
6. Always practice food safety:
   • If you can’t wash your hands, use antibacterial wipes before eating or handling food – especially raw meat, poultry, or fish.
   • Separate raw meats from cooked and prepared foods. Store raw meats in a separate cooler, place raw meat on its own plate, and use different utensils to handle uncooked and cooked food.
7. Never attach or disconnect an LP tank or fiddle with fittings while the grill is operating. If you run out of gas while grilling, turn off all the burners, reconnect the new tank, and re-light. When you finish grilling, shut the gas valve and disconnect the LP couplings before storing the grill.

Don’t be THAT guy – come in today for your propane BBQ refill in time for the holiday weekend! Call or stop by our Buffalo or Rochester location today to learn more.

We know, next winter is probably the last thing on anyone’s mind here in Buffalo and Rochester – especially now that we’ve gotten some warmer weather (FINALLY!). But what if we told you that thinking about winter just a little bit could save you a few hundred dollars down the road?

That’s exactly what could happen if you take advantage of pre-season pricing by buying your 2018-19 propane gallons now.

If you previously purchased your residential propane gallons on a buying plan from us, now is the time to re-up your contract – just contact us and we’ll take care of you right away.

If you’re new to propane buying, here’s the scoop: propane market prices vary throughout the season and are usually highest during heating season, when supplies are tight and demand is high. By purchasing your propane in the offseason, you lock in your price for every gallon you agree to buy – which could save you hundreds of dollars over the course of next heating season (not to mention during the summer – once you get that propane pool heater running).

While there is no way to know for certain where propane prices might go in the heating season to come, an early season buy almost always saves you money. But even if you chose to hold off on your propane purchase, you can rest assured knowing that whenever you buy your gas you’ll get Fair Pricing from Irish – we guarantee it.

Take advantage of spring pricing – buy your winter propane now! Contact us today to lock in early season prices on your 2018-19 propane.

A quick glance at the calendar (and away from the thermometer) reminds us that spring has sprung here in Buffalo and Rochester – and its arrival ushers in two of our country’s most time-honored traditions: spring cleaning and outdoor grilling.

At Irish Propane, we can help you with both.

If you’ve got an unwanted 20-, 30-, or 40-pound propane tank cylinder from your barbecue or space heater taking up residence in your garage or outdoor space and want to dispose of it safely (and legally), just bring it to one of our Irish Propane locations—for a small fee, we’ll take care of it for you.

If you need to replace your tank, we can help there, too, with new and reconditioned tanks available. We can also recertify old tanks, with a 24-hour turnaround (your recertified cylinder would be good for 5 years). If your tank is still in good shape and you want to have it in time grilling season (it will get here, we promise!), just bring it in for a refill.

Why refill rather than exchange you tank, you ask? Simple – you’ll get more for your money.

You see, most tank exchange companies will only fill your tank to about three-quarters capacity, citing safety laws that require the extra space for propane expansion in the heat. The problem is that cushion is already factored in to the tank’s 20 lb. capacity – which means you’re getting charged for a tank that’s filled to little more than 60 percent of its capacity!

Why do that when you can get an honest propane cylinder refill at Irish Propane?

Irish Propane offers 20-, 30-, and 40-pound cylinder recycling and refills for domestic customers at its Buffalo and Rochester locations. Contact us today to schedule a refill visit!