How the two fuels differ
Natural gas comes from the utility at low pressure and is lighter than air. Propane comes from a tank at high pressure, gets regulated down, and is heavier than air. Propane also carries a lot more energy per cubic foot, so propane orifices are much smaller than natural gas orifices for the same burner. Grills are built and labeled for one or the other. The rating plate on your grill tells you which.
When the fuel and the setup don't match, you get problems. Natural gas through propane orifices gives tiny, weak flames. Propane through natural gas orifices gives huge, yellow, sooty flames, and that's dangerous. Our propane vs. natural gas guide covers the basics.
What we see most
In rough order of frequency.
Propane regulator in bypass
The regulator's safety device trips and passes only a trickle of gas. Flames stay small on every burner.
Learn moreUndersized natural gas line
Long pipe runs, small diameter pipe, or a line feeding a grill plus a fire pit, heater and side burner can't deliver enough gas when everything runs.
Incomplete or wrong conversion
A grill converted between fuels with only some parts changed, or with a kit for a different model.
Missing or wrong appliance regulator
Many natural gas grills need their own regulator at the inlet. Some get installed without one, or with a propane regulator.
Partly closed shutoff
A shutoff valve left half open after other work. More common than you'd think.
Empty or cold tank
A propane tank near empty, or chilled on a cold morning, can't keep up with a big grill.
Learn moreWhat you can safely check
- Find the rating plate (often under the control panel, on the back, or inside a door) and confirm whether the grill is set up for propane or natural gas.
- On propane, reset the regulator: knobs off, tank closed, disconnect for a minute, reconnect, open the tank slowly.
- On natural gas, check the shutoff handle is fully in line with the pipe.
- Note whether the grill gets weak when other gas appliances are running, which suggests the supply line can't keep up.
- Look at the flame: small and blue is too little gas, big and yellow is too much gas or not enough air.
How we sort out supply problems
- 1
Identify the setup
We check the rating plate, the orifices, the valves and the regulator to confirm the grill is set up for the gas it's connected to.
- 2
Measure pressure
Gas pressure at the grill, with burners off and on, tells us whether the supply is adequate.
- 3
Fix the grill side
Wrong orifices, missing regulators, worn hoses and bad conversions get corrected with the right parts.
- 4
Flag the house side
If the pipe is undersized or the problem is upstream of the shutoff, we explain what we found so a plumber or SoCalGas can handle it.
- 5
Leak test and light
Every connection we touched is leak tested, and every burner lit and checked.
Converting from propane to natural gas
Switching to natural gas is a common upgrade in LA homes that already have a gas line to the patio. It means no more tank swaps. A proper conversion uses the manufacturer's kit where one exists: new orifices for every burner, sometimes new valves, a natural gas regulator, and adjusting the air shutters. Not every grill can be converted. Our propane to natural gas conversion service covers what's involved, and we'll tell you if your grill isn't a candidate.
A conversion assumes there's a gas line in place. Running new gas pipe is plumbing work, not grill service.
Gas supply questions
Can any grill be converted from propane to natural gas?
No. Many can, using a manufacturer kit. Some can't, or the manufacturer doesn't support it. We'll check your model.
How do I know if my grill is propane or natural gas?
The rating plate on the grill says so. A grill with a tank connection is set up for propane. A grill hard-piped or connected with a flex line to a house line is usually natural gas, but check the plate to be sure.
Why is my natural gas grill weaker than my old propane grill?
Often an undersized supply line or a regulator issue. A properly set up natural gas grill should perform about the same as its propane version.
Do you run new gas lines?
No. Running or modifying gas piping is plumbing work. We handle the grill side of the shutoff.
How much does it cost to fix a gas supply problem?
It depends on the cause and parts. Call or text with your grill's brand and model and which gas you're on, and we'll quote it.
Related guides
Propane to Natural Gas Conversion
Converting grills, fire pits and other outdoor appliances between propane and natural gas with the correct orifices, regulator and adjustments, then leak testing.
Buying advicePropane vs. Natural Gas Grills
How propane and natural gas grills differ in heat, convenience, setup and safety, and when converting a grill from one to the other makes sense.
SafetyHow to Do a Gas Leak Soap Test
How to check a propane or natural gas grill for leaks with soapy water, step by step, and what to do if you find bubbles.
TroubleshootingWhy Your Grill Won't Get Hot
The common reasons a gas grill runs cold, in the order techs check them, including the regulator reset that fixes many propane grills.
SafetyGrill Safety Checklist
A practical safety checklist for gas grills and outdoor kitchens, from placement and gas checks to grease fires and what to do in an emergency.
Grill and gas not getting along?
Call or text us with your grill's brand, model and fuel type. We'll figure out whether it's the grill, the regulator or the supply.