How much propane?

I've only ever used the green 1lb bottles for cooking so never needed more than 1 or 2 if I was also using my propane lantern. I just got a propane fire pit and now need a bigger tank.

If I plan to use a propane fire pit a couple hours each night, any idea how much propane that is? I know it varies depending on flame size and BTUs, but was hoping those with more experience could give me a rough idea. I think I used about half of my 5lb tank during the two nights I was testing the Ignik Firecan but I didn't think to time it. I would estimate about 3 hours total so for the lower flame size I was using I think maybe I could get about 6 hours minus whatever I use for cooking. Sound reasonable? I'm thinking maybe a 10lb tank would give a better margin for error on longer trips.

 

5lb tank should do. My buddy has one of those propane "campfires" and he gets through a 3-4 day camping trip ok. They fit perfectly in a plastic milk crate too if you have one

 

I have an 11# that I sometimes carry (especially when I had my VW Westy). When I bought it up from Sportsman's Warehouse years ago I'd originally planned to get a 5# but the 11# was approximately the same price, same diameter and only a little taller. I have one of the manifold poles that bolts to the handle and a hose that runs to the adapter for my Coleman (allows a Coleman/dual fuel model to also use propane), a hose to the Buddy heater (be sure to use an inline filter) and a small Coleman lantern that I screw on top of it.

 

Thanks for the info. Sounds like a 5lb will be fine for a few nights, but longer I might want a larger one or two 5lb or something. I'm really not sure which way to go. Since I already have a 5lb, maybe I'll get a 10lb for options.

 

I'm cheap so I was amazed at the prices- you could buy a standard 20# at Lowe's/HD/etc at the time for like $25 but the smaller sizes were, IIRC, ~$50 so I got the slightly taller 11#. I was just in Lowe's about an hour ago and the empty 20# tanks are now like $50.

 

I have an 11lb and it has been great, got cheap at Menards, good purchase

 

I went solo camping for 4 days and ended up using my firecan only one night. I'm thinking under normal circumstances I'll be okay with the 5lb tank but I think I'd be happier with 10/11lb just in case. I guess I'll just have to see how it goes after a few more trips. Solo camping I probably won't use much, but I can see burning more if sitting around shooting the shit.