Convert a LPG grill to NG? DIY?

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e9999

e9999

Gotta get out there...
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so, I just had my 2 5gals tanks refilled yet again with LPG... just too dang expensive, and a pain. I want to convert to NG and connect to the house.

I vaguely remember reading that you need basically bigger jets for NG and that the NG systems are typically running at lower pressure (4" W.c. vs 11"?).

I can get a conversion kit from Costco for $80 delivered. Includes burners and valves and a new regulator. Not too bad but if it's just a matter of running a fine drill bit through the existing jets, I'd rather have fun doing that. Grill is nice and newish so don't want to butcher it. And I guess a DIY conversion would be one way.

Anything to know about hoses and shutoffs etc (I have a 3/4" or so pipe stub coming out of the wall).

Thoughts? Experience? Advice?
 
FWIW I went from NG to propane. NG took forever to heat up and even then it just didn't get hot enough to put that magic sear on a good steak. Propane burns about 18%-20% hotter...which is noticeable and better for my particular grill.
 
spressomon said:
FWIW I went from NG to propane. NG took forever to heat up and even then it just didn't get hot enough to put that magic sear on a good steak. Propane burns about 18%-20% hotter...which is noticeable and better for my particular grill.
Click to expand...

no kiddin'?
your grill was originally properly setup for NG? You need bigger orifices for NG, of course, but then it should work just fine, I would think.
 
I'm starting to reconsider the DIY part. I hadn't thought about needing to drill out all the control valves too. That's harder than the orifices...
 
I've built a few BBQ trailers at work and had to adjust the BTU output. All I did was increase the orifice size with a letter bit to get more gas at the jet. We have a BBQ specialty shop here called BBQ's Galore and they sell all makes of parts and valves and burners etc. They were good for lots of advice (and a few thousand in parts:eek:)
 
e9999 said:
so, I just had my 2 5gals tanks refilled yet again with LPG... just too dang expensive, and a pain. I want to convert to NG and connect to the house.

I vaguely remember reading that you need basically bigger jets for NG and that the NG systems are typically running at lower pressure (4" W.c. vs 11"?).

I can get a conversion kit from Costco for $80 delivered. Includes burners and valves and a new regulator. Not too bad but if it's just a matter of running a fine drill bit through the existing jets, I'd rather have fun doing that. Grill is nice and newish so don't want to butcher it. And I guess a DIY conversion would be one way.

Anything to know about hoses and shutoffs etc (I have a 3/4" or so pipe stub coming out of the wall).

Thoughts? Experience? Advice?
Click to expand...

Check local codes. Most NG plumbing has to be done by an authorized person. If NG company comes out and sees you have tampered with the lines they will possibly fine you or just cut off your gas until you have it inspected.

Not a big deal when doing electrical work but then again with electricity the likleyhood of you burning your neighboors house down is less likely. Messing with a gas line and having a problem you could easily take out a city block if not done right.

Insurance companies look for any reason to get out of paying you for your blown up home.

Make a few calls. Ask someone. I had a line run for 45 dollars for a furnace. Cheap knowing it was done right.
 
hmm, how does NG comapare to Low pressure LPG?
 
I considered this conversion myself on my Jenn-Air grill. Two things stopped me - Jenn Air does not offer the conversion kit and NG burns at a lower temp, when I want hotter. The issue is not just the orifice and control valves, but the flame holes. To get the optimal blue flame heat, you need a different size flame and the geometry of the grill may not accomodate that with the current burners.

My next grill will be a good model designed for NG, that reaches glass melting temps.
 
IIRC Natural gas has more BTUs per Cubic Ft than Propane but Propane runs at higher pressure (normally around 11 inches WC) where Natural gas is is lower pressure (around 6 inches WC). Most grill companies have conversion kits if the grill can be converted. You'll need to swap out the regulator and the burner orifices. Some grills have a 2 pressure regulator that you just have to pull the cap and flip it to change the pressure. The hardest part will be running the gas line and installing the outside quick connect for the grill.

Kevin
 
Ditto on the JennAir, thought I could convert it but could not and for same reasons listed above would not. Will wear it out and buy NG built next time around.
 
At $25 for a 20 pound propane tank a conversion like this could pay for itself pretty quick.
 
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haven't done it yet, but may still do so. Hoses are not cheap, unfortunately.
 
well, I looked a bit more into this and it's becoming clear that there is more to it than just drilling the jets, unfortunately. Of course, you'd have to increase the air flow properly too but that might not be too bad, assuming the air holes are big enough. Unfortunately, there may be a limitation in the valves, depending on the model. And you really really want to avoid one of the burners' flame going out on you on a low setting... :eek:

So, not a completely trivial DIY job I'm afraid...
 
So, after 3 years, your going to try to BBQ again?
 
can someone explain how this NG to Propane conversion works?
 
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