How Can I Convert my Weber NG to LP Options

[bowie]

A nice Weber 3 burner was given to me, but it is a Natural gas and I dont have the hook up for it. I need a Propane gas grill. I know that you can buy a conversion kit from weber but it is over 100 bucks. I wondered if anyone out there knew how to convert it and had a turtorial on how to do it. Or if there is a cheaper alternative then going with weber.

Any help is appreciated.

Thanks

[Eric D]

Bowie,

Converting a grill from propane to natural gas is more difficult then converting natural gas to propane. This is because natural gas is typically at 7 inches of water column and propane is 11 inches of water column. If you have a propane grill that needs 11 inches WC and you only have 7 inches WC, natural gas, your only choice is to change the orifices to a larger size. However, the other way around is much easier. No orifice changes needed. What is needed is a propane regulator that can be adjusted down to 7 inches of WC. With this change the grill works the same on propane as with natural gas.

So, where do you find the right regulator? Check out this LINK for information on a regulator that will allow running at the lower pressure. You will still need to purchase the tank fitting, low-pressure hose and the other miscellaneous fittings. You will also need a way to measure the pressure in order to set the needed 7 inches of WC. Here is a LINK to making a simple manometer.

Total cost to make this conversion should be less then $50.

Eric D

[Sanchez_315er]

Also, it is important to remember that LP has a higher BTU vs NG... just want to help a brother keep his eyebrows!!!

[Eric D]

Also, it is important to remember that LP has a higher BTU vs NG... just want to help a brother keep his eyebrows!!!

It does not. The ONLY difference that matters is the pressure and orifice size. The reason this misnomer continues is the fact that people don’t take into account the pressure difference. Propane will appear to be hotter if you switch a device design to run on natural gas and simple attach it to a propane supply. The added 2 inches of water column pressure accounts for the higher btu’s.

To convert from natural gas to propane the only thing needed is to change the pressure feeding the orifice to 7”wc, no orifice change needed.

Eric D

[Sanchez_315er]

Check me if I'm wrong, but isn't the following true:

Natural Gas BTU Appx, 1,031 per Cubic Foot
Propane Gas BTU Appx, 2,516 Per Cubic Foot

If I'm wrong, I'm wrong.

[Eric D]

Sanchez,

Yes, you are about right on the ft³ BTU. I guess I don’t get your point.

Understand that we are talking about a gas that can be compressed. The only reason the propane value is higher is the pressure difference compared to natural gas. If you take the BTU per ft³ at 7 inches of water column for both propane and natural gas they would both be approximately 1,031 BTU’s. Same thing as if you take the per ft³ at 11 inches of water column they both would be approximately 2,516.

The btu at the grill is the same if you maintain the same pressure for the orifices that are installed.

Hope that clears it up some,

Eric D

[Sanchez_315er]

I don't believe that the standard for BTU per ft³ had anything to do with pressure. It is a standard for volume at 0 PSI.

If the difference in BTU was compensated by the difference in WC, then the orifices would be the same size from LP to NG.

I have been sleep deprived, so I could be out of my gourd.

[Eric D]

It is a standard for volume at 0 PSI.

Sanchez,

Hmm, most be some new type of unit I have never heard of….zero pounds per square inch (psi). Could you explain to me what that means? Zero in reference to what?

Eric D

[Sanchez_315er]

The amount of energy stored in one cubic foot of LP at atmospheric pressure is 2,516 BTUs.
The amount of energy stored in one cubic foot of NG at atmospheric pressure is 1,031 BTUs.

Like I said.. not enough sleep over the last week... 14.7 PSI.

[Eric D]

Sanchez,

I think you are missing something here. I will try to explain. If you have a square box that is air tight, one foot by one foot and you close it while at the beach (sea level) the box would contain 14.7 psi. on the inside. Do you understand why? When you say “zero psi”, it has to be referenced to something. It is common for psi to be read in psig but there is also psia.

Bottom line, British thermal unit (BTU or Btu) is a unit of energy. It is defined as the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. When talking about a grill, the Btu value implies Btu per hour.

So, the unit of energy can be different based on the unit of gas measure. For natural gas the unit of gas measure is ft³ @ 7 inches of wc. For propane it is ft³ @ 11 inches of wc. Low and behold, put more into the cube you have more energy. But as stated in the first post, if you have both gases at the same pressure they are almost the same Btu pre ft³.

You have to take pressure into account.

But hey, you can believe what ever you like,

Eric D

[Sanchez_315er]

I'm always amazed at how a simple conversation on forums can turn to a fight with a comment like:
But hey, you can believe what ever you like,

I never said I was right, and I appreciate you taking the time to explain your point. No need to cop a tude.

[the707]

Hello,

I am not a gas/propane expert so I could really use some advice. Classic Story - I have a Weber Summit 4 Burner natural gas grill. Next week I will be moving to a house without a natural gas hook up. I need to convert to propane. I understand that I want/need a 2 stage pressure regulator that will get me to 7" WC. So here are my questions:

1) I can't seem to find this kind of 2 stage adjustable pressure regulator that will get me to 7" WC. The model in this post and another go to 11". Any recommended part brands and #s and/or places online to purchase?
2) One side obviously goes into the grill - the other to the tank. I can figure out what I need to the grill but what do I need to the tank?
3) I HATE buying propane (that's why I bought NG model) so I would like to use a 20 pound tank. Any difference here? Words of advice? Doable, not?
4) How do I calibrate to get close to the same temps-per-settings I have gotten use to working with over the last 3 years?

Thank you,

Patrick

[shelly]

Hello,

I am not a gas/propane expert so I could really use some advice. Classic Story - I have a Weber Summit 4 Burner natural gas grill. Next week I will be moving to a house without a natural gas hook up. I need to convert to propane. I understand that I want/need a 2 stage pressure regulator that will get me to 7" WC. So here are my questions:

1) I can't seem to find this kind of 2 stage adjustable pressure regulator that will get me to 7" WC. The model in this post and another go to 11". Any recommended part brands and #s and/or places online to purchase?
2) One side obviously goes into the grill - the other to the tank. I can figure out what I need to the grill but what do I need to the tank?
3) I HATE buying propane (that's why I bought NG model) so I would like to use a 20 pound tank. Any difference here? Words of advice? Doable, not?
4) How do I calibrate to get close to the same temps-per-settings I have gotten use to working with over the last 3 years?

Thank you,

Patrick

Patrick,

I'm sorry that I cannot offer you an answer but wanted to post that I have contacted Weber about the availability of a conversion kit from propane to ng (I realize that you want to go in the opposite direction) for the 2007 and 2008 Summit 400 and 600 series. Weber says that they do not have any conversion kits for these models at this time, but perhaps in the future, they will.

They do have conversion kits for the previous Summit Gold and Silver series, however.

Shelly

[Billy Goat]

Hello,

I am not a gas/propane expert so I could really use some advice. Classic Story - I have a Weber Summit 4 Burner natural gas grill. Next week I will be moving to a house without a natural gas hook up. I need to convert to propane. I understand that I want/need a 2 stage pressure regulator that will get me to 7" WC. So here are my questions:

1) I can't seem to find this kind of 2 stage adjustable pressure regulator that will get me to 7" WC. The model in this post and another go to 11". Any recommended part brands and #s and/or places online to purchase?
2) One side obviously goes into the grill - the other to the tank. I can figure out what I need to the grill but what do I need to the tank?
3) I HATE buying propane (that's why I bought NG model) so I would like to use a 20 pound tank. Any difference here? Words of advice? Doable, not?
4) How do I calibrate to get close to the same temps-per-settings I have gotten use to working with over the last 3 years?

Thank you,

Patrick

Patrick ...

First ... Welcome to the forum!

I'm a LP guy, and most conversions go from LP to NG. Maybe Hike, Don or Bluesin can help [sorry I'm volunteering you guys ]

Does Don have Weber orifices in his store? It might be easier just to get the correct orifices ... and a LP regulator and hose.

BG in WV

http://www.bbqsource-store.com/

[Don S. (The Barb...]

Patrick ...

First ... Welcome to the forum!

I'm a LP guy, and most conversions go from LP to NG. Maybe Hike, Don or Bluesin can help [sorry I'm volunteering you guys ]

Does Don have Weber orifices in his store? It might be easier just to get the correct orifices ... and a LP regulator and hose.

BG in WV

http://www.bbqsource-store.com/

We do carry "blank" orifices but they are not designated by model just by size. In addition, they have to be drilled out. There have been some threads on this forum regardin hole sizes etc. Usually I recommend you take the orifices to your local propane dealer as they usually have the right drill sizes. (not talking about Home Depot or Ace Hardware but the big guys that supply bulk propane)