diff --git a/examples/problems/co2injectionproblem.hh b/examples/problems/co2injectionproblem.hh
index c2d92de4f..404b934e7 100644
--- a/examples/problems/co2injectionproblem.hh
+++ b/examples/problems/co2injectionproblem.hh
@@ -210,14 +210,6 @@ struct FluidSystemTemperatureLow<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::Co2InjectionBaseProb
     static constexpr type value = 290;
 };
 
-// The default for the initial time step size of the simulation
-template<class TypeTag>
-struct InitialTimeStepSize<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::Co2InjectionBaseProblem>
-{
-    using type = GetPropType<TypeTag, Properties::Scalar>;
-    static constexpr type value = 250;
-};
-
 template<class TypeTag>
 struct MaxDepth<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::Co2InjectionBaseProblem>
 {
@@ -405,6 +397,7 @@ public:
 
         Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::GridFile>("data/co2injection.dgf");
         Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::EndTime<Scalar>>(1e4);
+        Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::InitialTimeStepSize<Scalar>>(250);
     }
 
     /*!
diff --git a/examples/problems/co2ptflashproblem.hh b/examples/problems/co2ptflashproblem.hh
index 39fc1213a..0b99ed78d 100644
--- a/examples/problems/co2ptflashproblem.hh
+++ b/examples/problems/co2ptflashproblem.hh
@@ -176,14 +176,6 @@ struct Initialpressure<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::CO2PTBaseProblem>
     static constexpr type value = 75.e5;
 };
 
-// convergence control
-template <class TypeTag>
-struct InitialTimeStepSize<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::CO2PTBaseProblem>
-{
-    using type = GetPropType<TypeTag, Properties::Scalar>;
-    static constexpr type value = 0.1 * 60. * 60.;
-};
-
 template <class TypeTag>
 struct LinearSolverAbsTolerance<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::CO2PTBaseProblem>
 {
@@ -392,6 +384,7 @@ public:
         }
 
         Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::EndTime<Scalar>>(60. * 60.);
+        Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::InitialTimeStepSize<Scalar>>(0.1 * 60. * 60.);
     }
 
     /*!
diff --git a/examples/problems/cuvetteproblem.hh b/examples/problems/cuvetteproblem.hh
index 6460d9296..53710f8da 100644
--- a/examples/problems/cuvetteproblem.hh
+++ b/examples/problems/cuvetteproblem.hh
@@ -121,14 +121,6 @@ template<class TypeTag>
 struct EnableGravity<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::CuvetteBaseProblem>
 { static constexpr bool value = true; };
 
-// The default for the initial time step size of the simulation
-template<class TypeTag>
-struct InitialTimeStepSize<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::CuvetteBaseProblem>
-{
-    using type = GetPropType<TypeTag, Properties::Scalar>;
-    static constexpr type value = 1;
-};
-
 // Set the maximum time step
 template<class TypeTag>
 struct MaxTimeStepSize<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::CuvetteBaseProblem>
@@ -305,6 +297,7 @@ public:
 
         Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::GridFile>("./data/cuvette_11x4.dgf");
         Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::EndTime<Scalar>>(100.0);
+        Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::InitialTimeStepSize<Scalar>>(1.0);
     }
 
     /*!
diff --git a/examples/problems/diffusionproblem.hh b/examples/problems/diffusionproblem.hh
index c6a20b70b..e4b480e89 100644
--- a/examples/problems/diffusionproblem.hh
+++ b/examples/problems/diffusionproblem.hh
@@ -115,14 +115,6 @@ template<class TypeTag>
 struct EnableGravity<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::DiffusionBaseProblem>
 { static constexpr bool value = false; };
 
-// The default for the initial time step size of the simulation
-template<class TypeTag>
-struct InitialTimeStepSize<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::DiffusionBaseProblem>
-{
-    using type = GetPropType<TypeTag, Properties::Scalar>;
-    static constexpr type value = 1000;
-};
-
 } // namespace Opm::Parameters
 
 namespace Opm {
@@ -220,6 +212,7 @@ public:
         }
 
         Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::EndTime<Scalar>>(1e6);
+        Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::InitialTimeStepSize<Scalar>>(1000);
     }
 
     /*!
diff --git a/examples/problems/fingerproblem.hh b/examples/problems/fingerproblem.hh
index 27f7e3357..7431e90b8 100644
--- a/examples/problems/fingerproblem.hh
+++ b/examples/problems/fingerproblem.hh
@@ -136,14 +136,6 @@ template<class TypeTag>
 struct EnableGravity<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::FingerBaseProblem>
 { static constexpr bool value = true; };
 
-// The default for the initial time step size of the simulation
-template<class TypeTag>
-struct InitialTimeStepSize<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::FingerBaseProblem>
-{
-    using type = GetPropType<TypeTag, Properties::Scalar>;
-    static constexpr type value = 10;
-};
-
 template<class TypeTag>
 struct InitialWaterSaturation<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::FingerBaseProblem>
 {
@@ -290,6 +282,7 @@ public:
         Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::NumericDifferenceMethod>(+1);
 
         Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::EndTime<Scalar>>(215);
+        Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::InitialTimeStepSize<Scalar>>(10);
     }
 
     /*!
diff --git a/examples/problems/fractureproblem.hh b/examples/problems/fractureproblem.hh
index 2579c2fea..83ba3986e 100644
--- a/examples/problems/fractureproblem.hh
+++ b/examples/problems/fractureproblem.hh
@@ -165,14 +165,6 @@ template<class TypeTag>
 struct EnableGravity<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::FractureProblem>
 { static constexpr bool value = false; };
 
-// Set the default value for the initial time step size
-template<class TypeTag>
-struct InitialTimeStepSize<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::FractureProblem>
-{
-    using type = GetPropType<TypeTag, Properties::Scalar>;
-    static constexpr type value = 100;
-};
-
 } // namespace Opm::Parameters
 
 namespace Opm {
@@ -306,6 +298,7 @@ public:
 
         Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::GridFile>("data/fracture.art.dgf");
         Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::EndTime<Scalar>>(3e3);
+        Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::InitialTimeStepSize<Scalar>>(100);
     }
 
     /*!
diff --git a/examples/problems/groundwaterproblem.hh b/examples/problems/groundwaterproblem.hh
index 2b704f29a..5e37f3e12 100644
--- a/examples/problems/groundwaterproblem.hh
+++ b/examples/problems/groundwaterproblem.hh
@@ -117,14 +117,6 @@ template<class TypeTag>
 struct EnableGravity<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::GroundWaterBaseProblem>
 { static constexpr bool value = true; };
 
-// The default for the initial time step size of the simulation
-template<class TypeTag>
-struct InitialTimeStepSize<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::GroundWaterBaseProblem>
-{
-    using type = GetPropType<TypeTag, Properties::Scalar>;
-    static constexpr type value = 1;
-};
-
 template<class TypeTag>
 struct LensLowerLeftX<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::GroundWaterBaseProblem>
 {
@@ -296,6 +288,7 @@ public:
 
         Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::GridFile>("./data/groundwater_2d.dgf");
         Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::EndTime<Scalar>>(1.0);
+        Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::InitialTimeStepSize<Scalar>>(1.0);
     }
 
     /*!
diff --git a/examples/problems/infiltrationproblem.hh b/examples/problems/infiltrationproblem.hh
index 6d3c11d55..64c2175ed 100644
--- a/examples/problems/infiltrationproblem.hh
+++ b/examples/problems/infiltrationproblem.hh
@@ -97,14 +97,6 @@ template<class TypeTag>
 struct EnableGravity<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::InfiltrationBaseProblem>
 { static constexpr bool value = true; };
 
-// The default for the initial time step size of the simulation
-template<class TypeTag>
-struct InitialTimeStepSize<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::InfiltrationBaseProblem>
-{
-    using type = GetPropType<TypeTag, Properties::Scalar>;
-    static constexpr type value = 60;
-};
-
 // Write newton convergence?
 template<class TypeTag>
 struct NewtonWriteConvergence<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::InfiltrationBaseProblem>
@@ -236,6 +228,7 @@ public:
         Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::GridFile>("./data/infiltration_50x3.dgf");
         Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::NumericDifferenceMethod>(1);
         Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::EndTime<Scalar>>(6e3);
+        Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::InitialTimeStepSize<Scalar>>(60.0);
     }
 
     /*!
diff --git a/examples/problems/lensproblem.hh b/examples/problems/lensproblem.hh
index c9d7b30d3..7c1f56894 100644
--- a/examples/problems/lensproblem.hh
+++ b/examples/problems/lensproblem.hh
@@ -153,14 +153,6 @@ template<class TypeTag>
 struct EnableStorageCache<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::LensBaseProblem>
 { static constexpr bool value = true; };
 
-// The default for the initial time step size of the simulation
-template<class TypeTag>
-struct InitialTimeStepSize<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::LensBaseProblem>
-{
-    using type = GetPropType<TypeTag, Properties::Scalar>;
-    static constexpr type value = 250;
-};
-
 // define the properties specific for the lens problem
 template<class TypeTag>
 struct LensLowerLeftX<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::LensBaseProblem>
@@ -372,6 +364,7 @@ public:
         }
 
         Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::EndTime<Scalar>>(30e3);
+        Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::InitialTimeStepSize<Scalar>>(250.0);
     }
 
     /*!
diff --git a/examples/problems/obstacleproblem.hh b/examples/problems/obstacleproblem.hh
index 0c1ca2577..eb299f702 100644
--- a/examples/problems/obstacleproblem.hh
+++ b/examples/problems/obstacleproblem.hh
@@ -120,14 +120,6 @@ template<class TypeTag>
 struct EnableGravity<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::ObstacleBaseProblem>
 { static constexpr bool value = true; };
 
-// The default for the initial time step size of the simulation
-template<class TypeTag>
-struct InitialTimeStepSize<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::ObstacleBaseProblem>
-{
-    using type = GetPropType<TypeTag, Properties::Scalar>;
-    static constexpr type value = 250;
-};
-
 } // namespace Opm::Parameters
 
 namespace Opm {
@@ -275,6 +267,7 @@ public:
 
         Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::GridFile>("./data/obstacle_24x16.dgf");
         Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::EndTime<Scalar>>(1e4);
+        Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::InitialTimeStepSize<Scalar>>(250);
     }
 
     /*!
diff --git a/examples/problems/outflowproblem.hh b/examples/problems/outflowproblem.hh
index 4737fb0c8..f1eeaf232 100644
--- a/examples/problems/outflowproblem.hh
+++ b/examples/problems/outflowproblem.hh
@@ -81,14 +81,6 @@ template<class TypeTag>
 struct EnableGravity<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::OutflowBaseProblem>
 { static constexpr bool value = false; };
 
-// The default for the initial time step size of the simulation
-template<class TypeTag>
-struct InitialTimeStepSize<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::OutflowBaseProblem>
-{
-    using type = GetPropType<TypeTag, Properties::Scalar>;
-    static constexpr type value = 1;
-};
-
 // Also write mass fractions to the output
 template<class TypeTag>
 struct VtkWriteMassFractions<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::OutflowBaseProblem>
@@ -183,6 +175,7 @@ public:
 
         Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::GridFile>("./data/outflow.dgf");
         Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::EndTime<Scalar>>(100.0);
+        Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::InitialTimeStepSize<Scalar>>(1.0);
     }
 
     /*!
diff --git a/examples/problems/powerinjectionproblem.hh b/examples/problems/powerinjectionproblem.hh
index b35a55772..71d245b44 100644
--- a/examples/problems/powerinjectionproblem.hh
+++ b/examples/problems/powerinjectionproblem.hh
@@ -128,14 +128,6 @@ template<class TypeTag>
 struct EnableGravity<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::PowerInjectionBaseProblem>
 { static constexpr bool value = false; };
 
-// The default for the initial time step size of the simulation
-template<class TypeTag>
-struct InitialTimeStepSize<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::PowerInjectionBaseProblem>
-{
-    using type = GetPropType<TypeTag, Properties::Scalar>;
-    static constexpr type value = 1e-3;
-};
-
 // Write out the filter velocities for this problem
 template<class TypeTag>
 struct VtkWriteFilterVelocities<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::PowerInjectionBaseProblem>
@@ -248,6 +240,7 @@ public:
         }
 
         Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::EndTime<Scalar>>(100.0);
+        Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::InitialTimeStepSize<Scalar>>(1e-3);
     }
 
     /*!
diff --git a/examples/problems/reservoirproblem.hh b/examples/problems/reservoirproblem.hh
index 8f891a2d7..addfe62c9 100644
--- a/examples/problems/reservoirproblem.hh
+++ b/examples/problems/reservoirproblem.hh
@@ -139,14 +139,6 @@ template<class TypeTag>
 struct EnableGravity<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::ReservoirBaseProblem>
 { static constexpr bool value = true; };
 
-// The default for the initial time step size of the simulation [s]
-template<class TypeTag>
-struct InitialTimeStepSize<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::ReservoirBaseProblem>
-{
-    using type = GetPropType<TypeTag, Properties::Scalar>;
-    static constexpr type value = 100e3;
-};
-
 // set the defaults for some problem specific properties
 template<class TypeTag>
 struct MaxDepth<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::ReservoirBaseProblem>
@@ -439,6 +431,9 @@ public:
         //! By default this problem spans 1000 days (100 "settle down" days and 900 days of
         //! production)
         Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::EndTime<Scalar>>(1000.0*24*60*60);
+
+        Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::GridFile>("data/reservoir.dgf");
+        Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::InitialTimeStepSize<Scalar>>(100e3);
     }
 
     /*!
diff --git a/examples/problems/richardslensproblem.hh b/examples/problems/richardslensproblem.hh
index cf5245309..44dee3c30 100644
--- a/examples/problems/richardslensproblem.hh
+++ b/examples/problems/richardslensproblem.hh
@@ -108,14 +108,6 @@ template<class TypeTag>
 struct EnableGravity<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::RichardsLensProblem>
 { static constexpr bool value = true; };
 
-// The default for the initial time step size of the simulation
-template<class TypeTag>
-struct InitialTimeStepSize<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::RichardsLensProblem>
-{
-    using type = GetPropType<TypeTag, Properties::Scalar>;
-    static constexpr type value = 100;
-};
-
 // Do not write the intermediate results of the newton method
 template<class TypeTag>
 struct NewtonWriteConvergence<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::RichardsLensProblem>
@@ -266,6 +258,7 @@ public:
         }
 
         Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::EndTime<Scalar>>(3000.0);
+        Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::InitialTimeStepSize<Scalar>>(100.0);
     }
 
     /*!
diff --git a/examples/problems/waterairproblem.hh b/examples/problems/waterairproblem.hh
index f10f57fe1..18716c10d 100644
--- a/examples/problems/waterairproblem.hh
+++ b/examples/problems/waterairproblem.hh
@@ -140,14 +140,6 @@ template<class TypeTag>
 struct EnableGravity<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::WaterAirBaseProblem>
 { static constexpr bool value = true; };
 
-// The default for the initial time step size of the simulation
-template<class TypeTag>
-struct InitialTimeStepSize<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::WaterAirBaseProblem>
-{
-    using type = GetPropType<TypeTag, Properties::Scalar>;
-    static constexpr type value = 250;
-};
-
 // Write newton convergence
 template<class TypeTag>
 struct NewtonWriteConvergence<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::WaterAirBaseProblem>
@@ -310,6 +302,7 @@ public:
         Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::NumericDifferenceMethod>(+1);
 
         Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::EndTime<Scalar>>(1.0 * 365 * 24 * 60 * 60);
+        Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::InitialTimeStepSize<Scalar>>(250.0);
     }
 
     /*!
diff --git a/examples/tutorial1problem.hh b/examples/tutorial1problem.hh
index e78e2845f..e58b0ce14 100644
--- a/examples/tutorial1problem.hh
+++ b/examples/tutorial1problem.hh
@@ -129,14 +129,6 @@ template<class TypeTag>
 struct EnableGravity<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::Tutorial1Problem>
 { static constexpr bool value = false; }; /*@\label{tutorial1:gravity}@*/
 
-// define the size of the initial time step [s]
-template<class TypeTag>
-struct InitialTimeStepSize<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::Tutorial1Problem>
-{
-    using type = GetPropType<TypeTag, Properties::Scalar>;
-    static constexpr type value = 125.0;
-};
-
 } // namespace Opm::Parameters
 
 namespace Opm {
@@ -225,6 +217,7 @@ public:
         }
 
         Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::EndTime<Scalar>>(100e3);
+        Parameters::SetDefault<Parameters::InitialTimeStepSize<Scalar>>(125.0);
     }
 
     //! Specifies the problem name. This is used for files generated by the simulation.
diff --git a/opm/models/utils/basicparameters.hh b/opm/models/utils/basicparameters.hh
index e871a1b4d..6b9ff8565 100644
--- a/opm/models/utils/basicparameters.hh
+++ b/opm/models/utils/basicparameters.hh
@@ -28,8 +28,6 @@
 #ifndef EWOMS_BASIC_PARAMETERS_HH
 #define EWOMS_BASIC_PARAMETERS_HH
 
-#include <opm/models/utils/propertysystem.hh>
-
 namespace Opm::Parameters {
 
 //! grid resolution
@@ -59,8 +57,8 @@ struct GridFile { static constexpr auto value = ""; };
 struct GridGlobalRefinements { static constexpr unsigned value = 0; };
 
 //! The default value for the simulation's initial time step size
-template<class TypeTag, class MyTypeTag>
-struct InitialTimeStepSize { using type = Properties::UndefinedProperty; };
+template<class Scalar>
+struct InitialTimeStepSize { static constexpr Scalar value = -1e35; };
 
 //! Set a value for the ParameterFile property
 struct ParameterFile { static constexpr auto value = ""; };
diff --git a/opm/models/utils/basicproperties.hh b/opm/models/utils/basicproperties.hh
index 36a9ac495..9d751ba9c 100644
--- a/opm/models/utils/basicproperties.hh
+++ b/opm/models/utils/basicproperties.hh
@@ -177,16 +177,4 @@ struct Vanguard<TypeTag, TTag::NumericModel>
 
 } // namespace Opm::Properties
 
-namespace Opm::Parameters {
-
-//! The default value for the simulation's initial time step size
-template<class TypeTag>
-struct InitialTimeStepSize<TypeTag, Properties::TTag::NumericModel>
-{
-    using type = GetPropType<TypeTag, Properties::Scalar>;
-    static constexpr type value = -1e35;
-};
-
-} // namespace Opm::Parameters
-
 #endif
diff --git a/opm/models/utils/simulator.hh b/opm/models/utils/simulator.hh
index aecc04adb..116da39c6 100644
--- a/opm/models/utils/simulator.hh
+++ b/opm/models/utils/simulator.hh
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ public:
         startTime_ = 0.0;
         time_ = 0.0;
         endTime_ = Parameters::Get<Parameters::EndTime<Scalar>>();
-        timeStepSize_ = Parameters::get<TypeTag, Parameters::InitialTimeStepSize>();
+        timeStepSize_ = Parameters::Get<Parameters::InitialTimeStepSize<Scalar>>();
         assert(timeStepSize_ > 0);
         const std::string& predetTimeStepFile =
             Parameters::Get<Parameters::PredeterminedTimeStepsFile>();
@@ -256,7 +256,7 @@ public:
     {
         Parameters::Register<Parameters::EndTime<Scalar>>
             ("The simulation time at which the simulation is finished [s]");
-        Parameters::registerParam<TypeTag, Parameters::InitialTimeStepSize>
+        Parameters::Register<Parameters::InitialTimeStepSize<Scalar>>
             ("The size of the initial time step [s]");
         Parameters::Register<Parameters::RestartTime<Scalar>>
             ("The simulation time at which a restart should be attempted [s]");
diff --git a/opm/models/utils/start.hh b/opm/models/utils/start.hh
index 714ef616c..2284ffcc3 100644
--- a/opm/models/utils/start.hh
+++ b/opm/models/utils/start.hh
@@ -323,7 +323,7 @@ static inline int start(int argc, char **argv,  bool registerParams=true)
             return 1;
         }
 
-        Scalar initialTimeStepSize = Parameters::get<TypeTag, Parameters::InitialTimeStepSize>();
+        Scalar initialTimeStepSize = Parameters::Get<Parameters::InitialTimeStepSize<Scalar>>();
         if (initialTimeStepSize < -1e50) {
             if (myRank == 0)
                 Parameters::printUsage(argv[0],