Gas Grill Open Pilot Conversion

Gas Grill Conversions

• Before considering a gas grill conversion from propane to natural gas, ensure the grill’s components have little to no surface corrosion and the ignition system works properly. Manufacturers engineer and design grills according to certain specifications. A grill’s existing components work within a system that’s designed according to certain safety standards and system requirements. Converting to a different fuel type may void the warranty.

Gas Pressure Differences

• When considering natural gas- versus propane-fired grills, pressure differences exist that deliver natural gas versus propane gas to the burners. Propane grills operate at higher gas pressures than those with natural gas. Converting an open pilot grill involves adjusting the burner outlets so gas enters the combustion area as needed. When converting from propane to natural gas, adjusting the burner outlets means increasing the orifices’ size that feed gas to the burner lines inside the grill compartment. For both gas types, the gas supply company sets the operating pressure for gas supplies routed to the home. Homes using propane or natural gas heating can run gas lines directly to a grill unit.

BTU Levels

• British Thermal Units, BTUs, measure the amount of heat a grill generates. Manufacturers design gas grills to operate at specific BTU ratings, or heat levels. Information regarding BTUs appears on a nameplate affixed to the grill’s exterior surface. The amount of heat a grill generates depends on gas-pressure levels, the amount of gas emitted by the pilot and the size of the burner feed lines’ orifices. A gas-grill open pilot conversion involves ensuring gas pressure amounts, gas emission amounts and burner feed line emissions produce BTU levels corresponding with the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Control Valves

• Grill control valves regulate the amount of gas sent to an open pilot. These valves attach to the exterior controller knobs found on a grill’s front panel. These valves correspond with the original grill-design specifications. A grill’s control valves are set to operate according at specified pressure levels, gas amounts and BTU levels. This means a grill’s original control valves won’t deliver gas amounts as before. With a propane-to-natural gas conversion, the control valve’s “high” setting may not deliver sufficient heat amounts, while the “low” setting may not produce enough gas to keep the pilot lit. Some grill models provide a way to adjust a control valve by tightening or loosening a valve stem screw.