Why a conversion isn't just a new hose
Propane and natural gas burn at very different pressures and have very different energy content. Propane is delivered to the grill at higher pressure and carries more energy per cubic foot; natural gas comes in at much lower pressure. Grills are built for one or the other, and the difference is in the small brass orifices at each valve, the regulator, and sometimes the valve itself, which has a low-flame setting tuned to the fuel.
Connect a propane grill to a natural gas line without converting it and you get a weak, lazy flame that never gets hot. Go the other way, running propane through natural gas orifices, and you get flames that are dangerously large. That's why conversions need the right parts for your specific grill.
What a conversion includes
- Confirming your grill model can be converted and sourcing the manufacturer's conversion kit
- Replacing the orifice on every burner: main burners, side burner, sear, infrared and rotisserie burners
- Swapping or removing the regulator for the new fuel type
- Adjusting the low-flame screws on each valve, where the design calls for it
- Setting air shutters for a clean blue flame
- Connecting to the natural gas stub with an approved flex line and quick-disconnect if appropriate
- Leak testing every connection
- Test firing each burner on high and low
- Updating or noting the fuel type on the rating label, per the kit instructions
How the conversion works
- 1
Check the model
Send us a photo of the rating label. It lists the model, serial number and fuel type, and tells us whether the manufacturer offers a conversion kit.
- 2
Confirm the gas supply
There needs to be a natural gas line with a shutoff near the grill, sized for the grill's output. If there isn't, a plumber has to run one first.
- 3
Order the kit
We get the manufacturer's kit matched to your model, or the correct drilled orifices for grills where no packaged kit exists.
- 4
Convert
Orifices, regulator and valve adjustments are done at the grill. Built-ins are converted in place.
- 5
Test and tune
Leak test, then each burner is lit, adjusted and checked for the right flame height and color.
Can my grill be converted?
Most premium built-in grills can, including Lynx, Fire Magic, DCS, Viking, Twin Eagles, Alfresco and many others. Manufacturers publish conversion kits for many of their models. Some lower-end grills and some older models aren't designed for conversion, or have no kit available, and in those cases we won't do it. Using parts that weren't meant for the grill is how flare-ups and valve problems start.
Our guide to propane vs. natural gas covers the pros and cons if you're still deciding.
Other appliances we convert
The same logic applies to fire pits, fire tables, outdoor fireplaces, side burners and some patio heaters. Fire pit burners in particular are often convertible with an orifice and air mixer change. See fire pit service for more on those. Natural gas to propane conversions are possible too, for instance when you're moving a grill to a property without gas service.
What's not included
We convert the appliance and connect it at the grill. We don't run new gas piping from the meter or extend lines through the yard and into the island. That work needs a plumber, and in many cases a permit from your city. If you're planning a new island with natural gas, it's worth involving us early so the stub ends up in the right place for the grill you pick. See built-in grill installation.
Gas conversion questions
Will my grill get as hot on natural gas?
Yes, when it's converted properly. The correct orifices are sized so the grill delivers its rated output on natural gas. Grills that seem weak after a conversion usually have the wrong orifices or an undersized gas line.
How long does a conversion take?
The work itself typically takes an hour or two, longer for grills with many burners. Waiting on the kit is usually the longer part.
Do I need a natural gas line already in place?
Yes. We need a gas stub with a shutoff near the grill. If you don't have one, a plumber will need to run it first.
Can you convert my portable grill?
Some freestanding grills can be converted and some can't. Check with us using the model number before buying a natural gas hose.
Why is my converted grill burning yellow?
Usually the air shutter needs adjusting or the wrong orifice was installed. See our yellow flame guide, or have us take a look.
What does a conversion cost?
It depends on the brand, how many burners the grill has and the cost of the kit. Send a photo of the rating label and we'll quote it.
Related repairs and guides
Propane 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.
Care & how-toFinding Your Grill's Model and Serial Number
Where grill makers hide the rating plate, how to read it when it's faded, and what to do if it's gone. Saves time and wrong parts on any repair.
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.
TroubleshootingYellow Flame on a Gas Grill
What a yellow flame on a gas grill means, when a little yellow is normal, and how to clear the blockages that usually cause it.
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.
RepairNatural Gas & Propane Problems
Supply-side problems on propane and natural gas grills: wrong orifices, undersized lines, regulators and bad conversions.
RepairRegulator & Hose Replacement
Worn propane regulators, cracked hoses and tired natural gas flex connectors replaced and leak tested.
RepairLow Flame & Weak Heat
Flames stuck on low and a grill that won't get hot: regulator bypass, blockages and gas supply problems diagnosed and fixed.
RepairGas Valve Replacement
Stiff, stuck or leaking burner control valves replaced and leak tested by a technician, not a weekend project.
RepairGas Smell at the Grill
Smell gas at the grill? Safety steps first, then the common leak points and how a technician finds and fixes them.
Switch to natural gas
Call or text us with a photo of your grill's rating label and where the gas line is. We'll tell you whether it can be converted and what it takes.