Converting Gas Grill to Natural Gas?

CapeCoaler · Post by **CapeCoaler** » Thu. Sep. 04, 2008 1:56 pm

Price seems reasonable to have it done correctly.
Grill is 74,000 BTU....

Devil505 · Post by **Devil505** » Thu. Sep. 04, 2008 2:44 pm

Thanks for the info guys. It's a gas grill which is rarely on , so I'm not worried about 2 devices sharing the same pipe diameter if in code.
2 questions:
1. Any problem with me converting the grill itself & running the conversion hose into the house (through wood wall) & leaving the actual gas connecting up to a licensed plumber?
2. Roughly what would be a fair price if the conversion hose reaches to the water heater fitting?

There are 4 burners & a total rating of 74K BTU's per hr

I paid $314.00 for the grill itself & am not about to spend $430.00 to connect it up ......I'll use the damned propane tank!

Devil505 · Post by **Devil505** » Thu. Sep. 04, 2008 2:51 pm

CapeCoaler wrote:If there is a problem and your work is at fault.....
Big trouble in Little China.....

Hey...."Trouble" is my middle name!!!

(Just ask Richard)

CapeCoaler · Post by **CapeCoaler** » Thu. Sep. 04, 2008 9:44 pm

Save your money....
Stick with the propane...
$400 will buy a lot of tanks....

Devil505 · Post by **Devil505** » Thu. Sep. 04, 2008 9:51 pm

CapeCoaler wrote:Save your money....
Stick with the propane...
$400 will buy a lot of tanks....

Already ordered the conversion kit for $70.00 & we like to use the rotisserie which burns propane tanks quick! I'm going to at least do the grill conversion & run the flex hose myself. How much could a plumber get for just adding a "T" fitting, shut-off & connect it at my water heater?

CapeCoaler · Post by **CapeCoaler** » Thu. Sep. 04, 2008 11:15 pm

Everybody has a minimum charge....
Setup and breakdown cut into billable hours....
That is why the little jobs cost so much....

Devil505 · Post by **Devil505** » Fri. Sep. 05, 2008 6:06 am

CapeCoaler wrote:That is why the little jobs cost so much...

Seriously, what would a fair price for just doing the connection to the gas line be roughly? (At what point is it a rip off?)

(hey....I'm just off Cape in Plymouth....How many bags of Blaschak for you to come do it?

)

CapeCoaler · Post by **CapeCoaler** » Fri. Sep. 05, 2008 8:54 am

Me, I hire folks to do the gas work...
But I bundle all the little jobs so there is a few hours of work to be done.
With my work I get the scoop on who is good and who is not....
Seen too many houses lifted off a foundation....
To do it myself.
Do all the stupid work yourself...
make it easy for the gas guy...
If the $430 included the bigger pipe...
I would think that is fair.
How about some pics of the work area?

Devil505 · Post by **Devil505** » Fri. Sep. 05, 2008 9:22 am

CapeCoaler wrote:How about some pics of the work area?

Here they are:

CapeCoaler · Post by **CapeCoaler** » Fri. Sep. 05, 2008 10:17 am

Talk to the gas person and ask him 'what will your price be if I clear the work area'...
Remove everything between heater and outlet down to the studs...
I hate working 'around' stuff...
Looks to be a $100 PIA factor!
Did the $430 include the bigger pipe?
A pic of piping that feeds the small heater piping please.

e.alleg · Post by **e.alleg** » Tue. Sep. 09, 2008 1:40 am

I would put the TEE right where the hot water heater is. No cutting or threading to do, just turn off the gas at the meter or where it comes in the house, bleed the system down by running the heater for a minute, TEE it off and run flexible copper to the grill. Be sure to use pipe hangers so the pipe can't chaff through and leak. USE GAS APPROVED PIPE DOPE OR TEFLON TAPE ONLY!! It says on the package and costs a little more. Once everything is hooked up turn on the gas and spray soapy water on the joints, of it leaks you'll see bubbles and smell it. Don't panic just shut the gas off and ventilate the area. As a homeowner you are allowed to hook up a gas grill or gas range yourself, no permit is required (except rare circumstances). Gas pipes seal easy because there is very low pressure, less than 1 psi I think 4oz of pressure that's it. If you are clumsy around tools or prone to making mistakes or somewhat careless then hire a pro otherwise GIT-R-DONE!

Devil505 · Post by **Devil505** » Thu. Sep. 18, 2008 2:51 pm

Had the plumbers out yesterday & it took 2 men all morning to tie into my gas line & run it out & up into my deck. They ended up cutting the gas pipe , putting in a "T" & going straight out & up with the black pipe......They put shut-offs inside & out on the deck, & then the owner come & converted the grill itself from propane to nat. gas with the conversion kit I sent away for. (I was going to try it myself until I saw how tiny some of the conversion parts where!)
Boy....am I glad I had pros do it! (took the owner about 3 hours to do the conversion!) Cost me $500.00 total, which was a bit below my other bid, & they earned their money!
Gonna do a pork roast on the rotisserie tonight & it's a great feeling not to have to worry about running out of propane & changing tanks...ever again!

Converting Gas Grill to Natural Gas?

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