Propane or natural gas grille?

[rattlsnak]

In need of a new grill and our new house has a natural gas hook up so I looked into getting a natural gas style versus a propane style. (which i had no idea were completely different) Any pros or cons on these two styles versus each other?

[strupgolf]

My grill is set up for both but my new house has no gas line nearby. I would go natural gas if at all possible. I was set to grill last week and turned it on only to find my tank was empty. Save yourself time AND money, go gas.

[Halm]

Had natural gas hookup for years. And I have always used a Weber grill. Absolutely no difference other than the gas that ignites and not having to haul propane bottles back and forth.

[LWJ]

I believe Weber's have a slightly different orifice for propane vs NG. I need to move away from the bottle.

[rattlsnak]

Originally Posted by LWJ

I believe Weber's have a slightly different orifice for propane vs NG.

Yes, one will not work in the other's place. The regulator/burners, etc are different. You have to buy one style or the other although they do have conversion kits to swap them back and forth.

[GH85Carrera]

I used my natural gas grill for years. Never needed a new bottle, and it always worked. I even shoveled snow on the back porch to get to it so I could grill on winter.

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by rattlsnak

Yes, one will not work in the other's place. The regulator/burners, etc are different. You have to buy one style or the other although they do have conversion kits to swap them back and forth.

This.

The only difference is the orifice size in the manifold jets to control for the difference in the two gasses flow rates.

Meaning, what the grill is originally set up for is not too much of a concern as it can be easily converted so buy what you like.

It's like rejetting a carb but much simpler.

I've had both and given the choice nothing beats the convenience of NG.

[rattlsnak]

ok thanks guys!

[catalog]

In longer run natural gas is less expensive but installation can needs professional helps which cost your upfront money which propane one is portable which requires less space.

[T77911S]

propane burns hotter so as said the valves need to be changed to let in more NG to get the same temps.

[jcommin]

I believe NG burns hotter. Valve /regulator change is a must - not difficult.

[Jim Bremner]

TRAEGER. You will thank me.

[sammyg2]

I converted my gas grill from propane to natural gas, would never go back.

Just make sure the orifices are matched to the fuel, propane burns hotter so the orifices are smaller.
Nat gas burns a little cooler so the grill burns more of it to maintain the same temperatures.

[tabs]

Druthers NG...it is more convenient.

That was simple.

That said my WOK burner is Propane, one Bottle has lasted me about 15 months so far. When WOKing I am only running it for about 10 to 15 minutes, and when I light my Charcoal it runs for about 5 to 7 minutes. So for me it is no big deal.

[Hugh R]

I or the wifey left the NG BBQ on for a week once, at least the propane tank eventually. Runs out.

[T77911S]

Originally Posted by jcommin

I believe NG burns hotter. Valve /regulator change is a must - not difficult.

propane is hotter, that's why the valve is bigger. lets more NG in.

[schwarz633]

I believe Weber stopped selling conversion kits quite a few years ago. I converted my propane grill to natural gas by drilling out the burner orifices with a #53 drill. The guy at the local LPG/Weber dealer "unofficially" told me that there was also a port in each gas valve that would be larger in a NG version (wink-wink). This port basically sets the minimum gas flow. That has to be large enough to keep the burner lit when you turn it down to low. You remove the center plug section from each valve and drill out one of the holes in it. I finally settled on a #56 drill after trying a few smaller sizes. I really don't miss dealing with those tanks or being informed that it ran out in the middle of my wife cooking something on it.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

I or the wifey left the NG BBQ on for a week once, at least the propane tank eventually. Runs out.

Old-timers?

I kid, I also did that once. only over-night. I'm betting it cost almost as much as the propane needed to cook a steak.

Natural gas is CHEEEEEEEP compared to propane and propane accessories, I'll tell you what...






PS I read somewhere that propane burns hotter than natural gas.

[onewhippedpuppy]

Propane tanks are designed to run out when you are halfway through cooking the steaks. Bastards.

[rattlsnak]

Originally Posted by catalog

In longer run natural gas is less expensive but installation can needs professional helps which cost your upfront money which propane one is portable which requires less space.

Originally Posted by sammyg2

I converted my gas grill from propane to natural gas, would never go back.

Just make sure the orifices are matched to the fuel, propane burns hotter so the orifices are smaller.
Nat gas burns a little cooler so the grill burns more of it to maintain the same temperatures.

I'm going with a brand new Weber that is made for NG so won't need any conversion kits, and it's just one gas line to hook up, why would you need a professional install?