Nothing worse than gas dying mid-chapati. Here are four ways to know exactly how much is left — from zero-equipment tricks to precise weighing.

1. The Hot Water Trick (Fastest)

  1. Boil water and let it cool slightly (hot, not scalding).
  2. Pour it slowly down one side of the cylinder.
  3. Run your hand down the metal — you'll feel a distinct cold band where liquid gas sits inside.
  4. The cold line marks the gas level. Warm metal above = empty space.

Why it works: liquid LPG keeps the metal cold; the empty upper part warms quickly.

2. The Weighing Method (Most Accurate)

  1. Find the tare weight stamped on the cylinder collar/foot (e.g., "T 15.0" = 15kg empty weight).
  2. Weigh the whole cylinder on a bathroom scale.
  3. Subtract the tare: result = kg of gas remaining.

Example: total 22kg − tare 15kg = 7kg of gas left. This is also how you verify a refill is truly full — see spotting underfilled cylinders.

3. Magnetic Level Gauges

Stick-on gauges change colour with temperature — same principle as the hot water trick. They're cheap (KSh 300–800) and convenient, though less precise than weighing.

4. The Flame Test (Misleading)

A dying flame feels like low gas — but it's usually the last 5–10% of the cylinder. The flame stays normal until gas is nearly gone because LPG pressure stays stable until the liquid is almost depleted. Never rely on flame size to judge level.

Smart Habits

  • Order at ~20%. Don't wait for empty — place your refill order when the cold band drops to a quarter height.
  • Keep a 6kg backup. A small spare means no mid-cooking emergencies.
  • Note your cycle. Once you know your household's refill rhythm (say, every 5 weeks), set a reminder a week before.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does shaking the cylinder tell me the level?

You can sometimes hear/feel liquid sloshing, but it only tells you "some" vs "almost none" — not a real level.

My cylinder feels very heavy — is that normal?

A full 13kg cylinder weighs ~26–28kg total (13kg tare + gas). Heavy = full or partly full. If a "refill" feels suspiciously light, weigh it.

Why does the last bit of gas seem to last ages?

Low gas + weak pressure can stretch the final days, but don't push it — order at the quarter mark.

Low on gas? Order a refill before the cold band hits the bottom — same-day delivery. Order now →