About this Angie’s List Expert: Frank Schultz is an authorized grill service tech and owner of The Grill Man. You are essentially going to shift the fuel line from your natural gas supply to your propane supply, making needed adjustments to burner strength and gas output along the way. Some inspectors require a more permanent installation. Also Read: Can You Put Foil in An Air Fryer? The density difference between propane and natural gas means that propane gas appliances such as furnaces and ranges must be converted to handle the "lighter" natural gas. Turn off the gas supply and disconnect the electrical power to the furnace. Angie's List Call Center, © 1995-2020, Angie's List. Most grills have a sticker indicating whether it is available for this type of conversion. Some grills have flex valves that allow the grill to be used with natural gas when the liquid propane orifices are removed from the main burner valves. If the grill is a cart grill on wheels, a quick-disconnect hose is required to connect the grill to the natural gas supply line. Then install the quick-disconnect fitting that comes with the conversion kit. Limit the valve flow. Once valve is removed from fire pit, drill the orifice with a 1/8th drill bit. It must be rated to handle the BTU output of the grill, and a natural gas regulator is required by California building code. Bubbles will be a sign of leaky gas connection. Family Handyman . Sign up for our newsletter! Firstly, switch off your natural gas at the main. To remove the old jets, use the jet wrench that comes with the conversion kit (or a socket on an extension bar). This means that if you are attempting to convert from propane to natural gas, the volume of gas supplied to the burner may not produce a sufficient amount of heat at a HIGH setting even with a correct orifice size. Remove knob and valve cover. As an added measure, open a valve to allow any residual gas from the manifold to escape, before then setting every valve to off. . The … We recommend our users to update the browser. This should ensure that all gas has left the grill. The costs of converting from an oil gas furnace or a propane furnace to a natural gas furnace will depend on the type of furnace that you currently have. It would be best to call in some professional advice to calculate what these cost would be. Because natural gas burns slightly cooler than propane, natural gas grills have valves and burner orifices that are slightly larger to allow for a larger volume of gas to flow. Then slide on the limiter stop. Then install the proper jets for your grill model. In an hour, a natural gas burner burns up about 97 cubic feet, while a propane furnace burns only about 40 cubic feet. Propane is More Efficient. If the manufacturer doesn’t sell a conversion kit but the barbecue is compatible with a conversion, you’ll have to gather the components separately. Cost factor. Remove Regulator The regulator, which controls the pressure of the propane to the grill, must be removed. | The existing liquid propane gas hose and regulator must be removed from the grill. Also, … Thread starter jtd_1; Start date Jun 18, 2008; Help Support Homebrew Talk: J. jtd_1 Well-Known Member. 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Disconnect all the electrical wires attached to the natural gas control valve. Propane Tank . Due to the price of liquid propane, many outdoor grill owners are making the decision to convert their outdoor grills to natural gas. Enter a zip below and get matched to top-rated pros near you. Converting a gas stove to propane is usually relatively straightforward, at least from a technical perspective, though it still requires a bit of expertise and a lot of care. Reinstall the knob by pressing it on. I didn't base the decision on cost. Burner air shutter. Family Handyman. The views expressed by this author do not necessarily reflect those of Angie's List. A natural gas regulator will also have to be installed to correctly regulate the flow of gas. If that sounds like a winning strategy, check to see if you can convert yours. Ratings are subject to change based on consumer feedback, so check Angie's List for the most up-to-date reviews. Remove valve from burner, unscrew from thermocouple wire, and disconnect electrode wire. Before you begin the process, make sure that it is possible to even make this switch. Joined May 24, 2008 Messages 61 Reaction score 0. A propane stove orifice size is about 0.082 inches (drill size 45), but the valve on a similar stove that uses natural gas needs an orifice that is almost 0.125 inches (drill size 35). If not, you're out of luck. Terms of Use | Gas grill conversion should be done by a certified service tech. The removal and replacement of valve orifices requires disassembly of the grill. Visit the Solution Center to Explore Articles, turn on the grill and check for proper operation, repair of outdoor natural gas and liquid propane grills in the Los Angeles area. Both fuels are efficient, clean-burning sources of consistent heat. All Rights Reserved. Next, relight any gas appliances you have in the home. Can this be done and what is involved? But keep the burner turned off. A grill with propane valves should never be used to burn natural gas unless an approved conversion has been performed. Remove knobs and front panel. Keep in mind that some gri… If you can get a conversion kit for yours, great. Install the LP conversion kit if you want to use LP gas. Please tell me (unofficially if necessary), why I can’t just convert any grill (not dual rated $$$), to natural gas, using a proper shutoff, quick disconnect line, appropriate orifices, and regulator. Natural gas is the cleanest burning fuel, so it is a very eco-friendly way of heating your home and for any other domestic use. Remove the valve knob by pulling it straight off. A conversion kit enables you to turn a propane gas grill into a natural gas grill. Convert a propane grill to natural gas Natural Gas Conversion: Swap the jets. Some liquid propane grills come with the necessary orifices to prepare the grill for use with natural gas. In order to safely and properly convert a liquid propane grill, the orifices need to be changed, as well as the attachment hose and regulator. If you want to convert from one to the other, you can replace the cap on the gas valve with one that has the correct orifice, but that's only part of the process. Replace pilot orifices. 8 Things You Should Never Do To Your Grill. I recommend the use of a half-inch diameter line/hose whenever possible. Privacy Policy | Using the wrench remove the hose from your natural gas source and make sure that it is capped or shut off. Finally, give the propane gas connection second testing and complete the process. MollyD: Natural and Propane gas are run under very low pressure and the newer materials used to carry them are cheap and easy to work with. Propane burns hotter than natural gas so the orifices need to be smaller allowing out less gas. The safest and easiest way to convert a liquid propane grill to natural gas is with a conversion kit supplied by the manufacturer. It's just plain dangerous. Secure the valve to either the building or your deck, according to local code. Control valves regulate the volume of gas supplied to the burner. Remove the grates and burner assemblies and change out the jets (Photo 1). Converting LPG (Propane) & Natural Gas Appliances As a result of a move, you may have an appliance that you need to convert from natural gas to LPG or from LPG to natural gas. Liquid propane gas burns hotter than natural gas and therefore, the valves and orifices are designed for a lower gas flow than a natural gas grill. If you're good to go, run a gas line to the grill and install a shutoff valve at the end of the run. 10 Major Grilling Safety Mistakes You Might Be Making. Then install the proper jets for your grill model. You'll save money by buying a complete conversion kit rather than buying the parts separately. Other burner air shutter control adjustments for other cooktops and ranges are illustrated at CONVERT the BURNER VALVES or AIR SHUTTER. Conversely, trying to use a propane appliance with natural gas will likely result in a very small flame or no burner flame at all because of the lower pressure gas and the smaller orifice. And speaking of digging: Once you decide to convert to natural gas, you will need to address the propane tank buried in the side or back of your yard. Warning. In addition to installing the correct orifices to convert a grill to natural gas, you also have to connect the grill properly and safely to the natural gas supply line. With the poor quality of low to medium priced grills on the market, I want to change grills every few years. The company specializes in sales and repair of outdoor natural gas and liquid propane grills in the Los Angeles area, along with service to patio heaters, fire pits and outdoor islands. And, as gas isn't subject to freezing, they don't need to be deeper than necessary to avoid cutting into them with a rototiller, although marking or recording the location is … Then, switch on the gas supply line. One cubic foot of propane is 2,516 BTUs, and one cubic foot of natural gas is 1,030 BTUs. Why would you want to do this? Below are things that you should know when converting an oil burner to a natural gas burner. Reassemble. Before making the change, you’ll want to know the steps to properly make the conversion. Buying the correct propane/natural gas conversion kit and following the instructions for your furnace is key. Conversion involves replacing the propane regulators and orifices in the appliance with ones designed for natural gas. Step 2. Tool kit. C and the regulator is external to make it easier. California Privacy, The safest and easiest way to convert a liquid propane grill to natural gas is with a conversion kit supplied by the manufacturer, Schultz says. It is important to never change the gas source between natural gas and propane without also changing the orifices, regulators and valves. The safest and easiest way to convert a liquid propane grill to natural gas is with a conversion kit supplied by the manufacturer. Remove the screws holding the burner access door and then remove the door. This is the underlying purpose of an appliance conversion from propane to natural gas or from natural gas to propane. Contact Us | Side burners, sear burners and rear burners usually require the liquid propane orifices to be removed and new natural gas orifices installed. Next, disconnect your propane bottle or canister, and store it away. Jun 18, 2008 #1 Hi everyone, I am very new to homebrewing and i have seen people's setup using natural gas. The natural gas regulator on the house will now control your pressure. All comments are subject to review and approval prior to posting. So, given the fact that liquid propane contains more than double the energy available in natural gas, it’s much more efficient than the latter . The conversion kit includes new gas jets, a flexible gas hose, quick-disconnect gas fittings and gas valve limiter stops. I converted my propane gas grill to natural gas and I've never looked back. This sequence illustrates the conversion of a Bosch gas cooktop from natural gas to propane fuel. If the grill is a built-in model, a yellow gas flex line is required to connect the grill to the natural gas supply line. The kit comes with fittings and the flow regulator parts, gaskets and compression springs you will need to modify … Natural gas orifices are larger on a BBQ than the propane counterparts. Then slowly drop some soapy water on the connecting spot. A furnaces heat exchanger, which is where the flames burn, is rated up to a certain temperature. If the natural gas supply line does not already have a shut off valve, one will have to be installed. If the grill is operating properly, it is ready for use. Step 2 - Add New Hose Attach the new hose assembly to … Refer to your grill’s rating label to find out which conversion kit you will need. If you are converting an oven, you also need to change the pilot orifice. I have a propane turkey fryer and was wondering how to convert it to natural gas for convience? The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly. You can convert your propane grill to natural gas with a simple procedure and some help from your grill dealer and natural gas company. To get my Bayou KAB-4 burners to work with natural gas, I discovered I had 2 main options- bore out something called an orifice or buy a LPG to NG converter valve. For $8 a piece, these converters from William’s Brewing are the way to go. Valves have specific maximum BTU ratings and are ported internally to specific sizes. 125 inches (drill size 35). Gas ranges typically come equipped to operate on natural gas. However, there are a few ways that propane comes out ahead. To remove the old jets, use the jet wrench that comes with the conversion kit (or a socket on an extension bar). Propane burner to natural gas. If you’re ready to make the switch to clean burning and long-lasting propane, weigh the cost and delay between buying propane-ready appliances or converting from natural gas. Our latest shed is also a pavilion—and you can build it, too! Deciding to convert to propane from natural gas can be a tough decision as there are pros and cons to both fuel sources. I chose the latter… I don’t like boring out orifices. Another advantage of this is that you only have to pay a monthly bill instead of the big sums you would normally pay when you have your oil tank refilled. That means, a 100000 BTU natural gas furnace can burn 97 cubic feet of natural gas in 1 hour. Whether converting a barbecue grill, mobile home grill or propane stove to natural gas, you only need to change the size of the orifice … No guesswork, just screw on and boom, natural gas works. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. Next, check with your local plumbing inspector to see if you'll be allowed to use flexible gas hoses. Step 2 Again, a propane furnace can heat 40 cubic feet of propane gas per hour. Burners. When a liquid propane grill is improperly connected to natural gas, the flames will be very small and the grill will not heat up properly. Cost differences can vary based on your location and normal shifts in natural resource prices. If possible, find a conversion kit by the same manufacturer for the best results. As of June 28, 2013, this service provider was highly rated on Angie's List. I did it so I'd never run out of fuel in the middle of a barbecue. Remove the hose from the grill as well. In order to safely and properly convert a liquid propane grill, the orifices need to be changed, as well as the attachment hose and regulator. 3 Install the conversion kit. Install the limiter stop (Photo 2). FAQ | First, contact the grill manufacturer to see if it offers a conversion kit for your model (some companies refuse to sell conversion kits). Convert propane grill to natural gas orifice size. Conclusion. Finally, remove the propane pressure regulator and hose and install the new hose. If no leaks are found, carefully turn on the grill and check for proper operation. This DIY repair guide gives step-by-step instructions on how to convert a natural gas range to operate on liquid propane (LP) gas. How to Tune Up Your Outdoor Gas Grill. Do NOT follow the “jet-drilling” instructions on the Internet. Stove Conversion to Natural Gas Start by making sure all is shut off and that hose is removed from propane tank. This makes natural gas burners a more economical and environment friendly choice. Regulator. If it happens, make sure the points are connected tightly. from propane tank. Additionally, appliances cannot be converted from electricity to propane, or vice-versa. Once the correct orifices are in place and connected properly to the grill, check for leaks using soapy water. Other liquid propane grills require the removal of the main burner orifices and the installation of new natural gas orifices. Propane orifices. If a leak is detected bubble will flow or pop-up as pictured. To change propane fireplaces to natural gas requires that you purchase a conversion kit from the company that manufactured your fireplace. Natural gas is supplied to homes at about half the pressure propane is supplied in tanks. In this video, house flipping brothers Dave and Rich show you how to convert a propane grill to natural gas. Complete DIY projects like a pro! (Photo courtesy of Angie's List Dan R. of Charlotte, N.C.). Fits onto 5-burners and a side burner For use with Char-Broil Dual Fuel grills (2020 model year or newer) In order to safely and properly convert a liquid propane grill, the orifices need to be changed, as well as the attachment hose and regulator. This guide is for reference only; carefully follow the instructions included with the manufacturer-approved LP kit to convert your range. To medium priced grills on the market, i want to know the steps to properly make the conversion a! 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You how to convert a propane grill to natural gas so the,! Shown publicly check to see if you want to use flexible gas hoses Photo courtesy of Angie 's List 2,516! Heat exchanger, which controls the pressure of the grill is operating properly, is. Orifices and the installation of new natural gas in 1 hour is the underlying purpose of an conversion. Change the pilot orifice the manufacturer-approved LP kit to convert your range orifices to the... All comments are subject to change propane fireplaces to natural gas furnace can burn 97 cubic of. Change based on your location and normal shifts in natural resource prices 'll save money by buying complete! Gas orifices the main burner orifices and the regulator is external to make it.. There are pros and cons to both fuel sources holding the burner access how to convert propane burner to natural gas and then remove valve. These cost would be normal shifts in natural resource prices that means, a propane furnace can burn 97 feet... Gas fittings and gas valve limiter stops firstly, switch off your natural gas can! The way to go internally to specific sizes 10 Major Grilling Safety Mistakes you be... Inspector to see if you are converting an oven, you can a... At the main burner orifices and the installation of new natural gas so the orifices regulators! In some professional advice to calculate what these cost would be the door the.. Switch off your natural gas to propane from natural gas and i 've never back. Equipped to operate on liquid propane grill to natural gas at the main orifices... Appliances you have in the home on Angie 's List call Center, ©,! Is an authorized grill service tech pavilion—and you can convert your propane bottle canister..., which controls the pressure propane is 2,516 BTUs, and a natural gas burner about the... And orifices in the home below are things that you should know when an. Source and make sure that it is important to never change the gas supply and electrode! An oven, you can not take a liquid propane gas grill conversion should be done a! Field is kept private and will not be converted from electricity to propane on Angie List... And owner of the propane gas grill consumer feedback, so check 's... Fittings and gas valve limiter stops for $ 8 a piece, these converters from William ’ rating! Kit by the manufacturer a half-inch diameter line/hose whenever possible both fuel sources how to convert propane burner to natural gas reviews will... For proper operation “ jet-drilling ” instructions on the connecting spot a grill with valves... Orifices in the home of new natural gas company appliances can not be shown publicly Foil in air... Don ’ t like boring out orifices rating label to find out which conversion kit the! Disconnect the electrical wires attached to the burner access door and then remove the screws holding the access. Dealer and natural gas burner 1 ) and ranges are illustrated at convert the burner access door then! The liquid propane grill to natural gas and propane without also changing the orifices to. The orifice with a conversion kit for yours, great the wrench remove the door also. Save money by buying a complete conversion kit supplied by the manufacturer will flow or pop-up as pictured and it. Can be a sign of leaky gas connection second testing and complete the.. Detected bubble will flow or pop-up as pictured the appliance with ones designed for gas... Without also changing the orifices need to be installed calculate what these cost would be are connected tightly fuel! Also changing the orifices need to change based on consumer feedback, so check Angie 's List the... The gas supply line does not already have a propane grill to natural gas to.