Propane to Natural Gas conversion for BBQ Grill

[Sombeech]

Yes, I'm a man. I just converted my grill from propane to natural gas. This means no more bottles! Endless Flames! The BBQ without end...

I'll post some pics up in a while. It took a series of calculations to find the orfice size I had to drill out. I ran the gas line through my house since my basement isn't finished yet, and it was still pretty accessible.

[chickenlicken]

My Dad did that a few years ago as well. It takes his BBQ a long time to get up to cooking temp. He has to pre-heat the thing for 1/2 hr before he throws the meat on it. He is actually thinking of going back to the propane. I hope your conversion works better than his did.

[Sombeech]

My Dad did that a few years ago as well. It takes his BBQ a long time to get up to cooking temp.

He may not have drilled out the orfices to the right size?

My brother "converted" over, but all he did was hook up a line to his grill, without making any adjustments. It's not as hot.

I'll post up a list of instructions and calculations here. If you do it right, you can even make it burn hotter.

[stefan]

My Dad did that a few years ago as well. It takes his BBQ a long time to get up to cooking temp.

He may not have drilled out the orfices to the right size?

My brother "converted" over, but all he did was hook up a line to his grill, without making any adjustments. It's not as hot.

I'll post up a list of instructions and calculations here. If you do it right, you can even make it burn hotter.

may the force be with you sasqueech

i have faith that your calculations will prevail

[Sombeech]

may the force be with you sasqueech

i have faith that your calculations will prevail

The proof is in the pudding -- I mean Steak.

[James_B_Wads2000]

The proof is in the pudding -- I mean Steak.

Mmmmmm... steak pudding.

[Sombeech]

For those of you interested, you can find all of the info you need from Questar's "Good Practices" document:
http://www.questargas.com/brochures/59060_401.pdf

It's a big 'un, 121 pages. Things to take note of:

• BTU's of your grill (BTU of EACH seperate burner, and also the total) My total was 46,000. 3 w/ 12k and 1 w/ 10k
  Your elevation - mine is 4350'
  Gas Pressure - mine is 12.60
  Total Cubic Feet per Hour - CFH

The CFH is what tells you the Orfice Size you will have to drill. For instance, the 3 burners on my main range were 12,000 BTU's each, and had 11.19 CFH. This took a size 55 numbered bit. The sideburner, or "pots and pans" cooker is 10,000 BTU, 9.325 CFH, and took a size 56 bit.

It's all about calculating the size of bit to use to drill out the orfices. Most grills can have 1/2" gas pipe ran to it, but I just used 3/4" just in case.

[moabfool]

I saw a gas guy converting a kitchen range from gas to propane one time. He was just drilling the orifice larger one size at at time until he got a flame. The guy installing the fireplace was doing the same thing. I like the scientific way better. Hope it works out for ya.