Converting Outdoor Kitchen Appliances Between Natural Gas and Propane in Oklahoma
Oklahoma homeowners who move to a property with a different fuel system — or who move an outdoor kitchen when relocating — sometimes need to convert their appliances from natural gas to propane (LP) or from propane to natural gas. This guide explains what’s involved, when conversion is appropriate, and what to watch out for to keep your outdoor kitchen operating safely and at peak performance.
Why Natural Gas and Propane Require Different Appliance Configuration
Natural gas and propane are different fuels with different physical properties that affect combustion:
| Property | Natural Gas | Propane (LP) |
|---|---|---|
| BTU per cubic foot | ~1,020 BTU | ~2,516 BTU |
| Operating pressure (at appliance) | 3.5 to 4 inches WC | 10 to 11 inches WC |
| Specific gravity (vs air) | 0.6 (lighter than air) | 1.5 (heavier than air) |
| Combustion air requirement | Lower | Higher |
Because propane has significantly more BTU per cubic foot and operates at higher pressure, appliances designed for natural gas have larger orifices (holes that meter fuel flow) to deliver enough gas at natural gas’s lower pressure to achieve the rated BTU output. If you run propane through a natural gas orifice, you’re delivering far too much propane — the result is a dangerously fuel-rich, sooty flame.
Conversely, if you run natural gas through a propane orifice, you’re starving the burner of fuel — you’ll get a small, under-performing flame at a fraction of the rated BTU output.
The Conversion Process
Step 1: Verify Your Appliance Is Convertible
Not all appliances can be converted between fuel types. Most quality outdoor kitchen appliances — grills from Blaze, Napoleon, Lynx, Fire Magic; side burners; infrared burners — are available in both natural gas and propane versions and include conversion kit capability. Check your appliance’s documentation or contact the manufacturer to confirm a conversion kit is available for your specific model.
Step 2: Obtain the Manufacturer’s Conversion Kit
Always use the manufacturer’s approved conversion kit, not generic conversion parts. The kit includes:
- Replacement orifices in the correct size for the new fuel type
- A new regulator or regulator adjustment instructions
- Detailed conversion instructions specific to your appliance model
Generic orifices from hardware stores may appear to fit but may have incorrect flow rates that either starve the burner or over-fuel it. Manufacturer-specific parts are designed and tested for your specific appliance.
Step 3: Replace All Orifices
Every burner in the appliance has an orifice that must be replaced for a complete conversion. Missing a single orifice in a multi-burner grill creates one burner that runs on the wrong fuel delivery rate — a hazardous and performance-degrading condition.
Orifice replacement involves:
- Removing each burner from the firebox
- Unscrewing the existing orifice fitting from the valve body
- Threading in the replacement orifice (correct thread type and torque is critical — cross-threading or under-torquing creates leaks)
- Reinstalling the burner
Step 4: Adjust or Replace the Regulator
Natural gas appliances connect to the gas line without a user-accessible regulator — the pressure is regulated upstream at the meter or manifold. Propane appliances require a pressure regulator that reduces the tank/line pressure to the correct operating pressure for the appliance.
When converting:
- Natural gas to propane: Add a propane regulator appropriate for the appliance’s BTU rating
- Propane to natural gas: Remove the propane regulator (natural gas pressure is regulated upstream by ONG or your gas provider)
Step 5: Test the Conversion
After conversion:
- Check all orifice connections with soapy water for gas leaks — bubbles indicate a leak requiring immediate attention
- Light each burner individually and observe the flame: a correct flame is blue with small yellow tips; a yellow/orange sooty flame indicates too-rich combustion; a small, stuttering blue flame indicates fuel starvation
- Test at multiple BTU settings to verify consistent operation across the control range
When to Call a Licensed Professional
Gas appliance conversion carries real safety stakes — an incorrect conversion can create an explosion risk, a carbon monoxide hazard (in enclosed spaces), or a fire risk. We recommend involving a licensed professional for:
- Any conversion you’re not completely confident performing correctly
- Any appliance where the conversion instructions are unclear or missing
- Any situation where the post-conversion flame behavior doesn’t match what the instructions specify
- All gas line connections — even if you’re comfortable with orifice replacement, having a licensed plumber verify gas line connections and pressure after conversion is prudent
VistaScapes Design coordinates gas conversion work with licensed plumbers and gas line contractors as part of our outdoor kitchen installation services. If you need an outdoor kitchen appliance converted in Broken Arrow, Tulsa, or northeast Oklahoma, contact us and we’ll ensure the conversion is done correctly and safely.
Warranty Implications of Conversion
Converting your appliance using a manufacturer-approved kit and manufacturer-approved procedure preserves your warranty. Converting with non-approved parts or procedures — or having a conversion done by someone not following the manufacturer’s procedure — typically voids the warranty. Always use manufacturer kits and document the conversion in case warranty service is ever needed.
VistaScapes Design
413 N Walnut Ave Suite A, Broken Arrow, OK 74012
Phone: (918) 779-1317
Serving Broken Arrow, Tulsa, and all of northeast Oklahoma
