Propane vs Natural Gas: Conversion Basics
Propane and natural-gas grills are not interchangeable without a proper conversion kit. The two fuels burn at different delivery pressures and different BTU content per cubic foot, so a burner sized for one will run incorrectly on the other — usually needing different-sized orifices, and sometimes a different regulator, to burn cleanly and safely on the other fuel type. Never swap fuel lines without the manufacturer's specific, listed conversion kit for your exact model.
Why the fuels aren't interchangeable
Natural gas is delivered at lower pressure through a home's gas line and carries less energy per cubic foot than propane, which is stored under higher pressure in a portable tank. A burner's orifice — the small opening that meters fuel into the burner tube — is sized specifically for one fuel's pressure and energy density. Put natural gas through a propane-sized orifice (or vice versa) and you get either a flame too small to cook properly or one dangerously oversized for the burner and hood clearance.
What a real conversion kit changes
A manufacturer-approved kit swaps the orifices to the correct size for the target fuel and, on many grills, also swaps or adjusts the regulator, since the two fuels need different pressure regulation. Some grills also require different valve components. This is why conversions are sold as complete kits matched to a specific model, not a universal part.
Cost and convenience tradeoffs
Natural gas piped to a fixed grill location is typically cheaper per cook than refilling or exchanging propane tanks, and never runs out mid-cook — but it requires a permanent gas line installation, tying the grill to one spot. Propane stays portable and needs no plumbing, at the cost of periodic tank refills and the risk of running out mid-cook.
This page is general mechanism information, not gas-fitting instructions. Any fuel conversion should use the manufacturer's listed kit and instructions, or be performed by a qualified technician, and should follow local gas-code requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Only with the manufacturer's specific conversion kit for that model -- never by improvising. Propane and natural gas burn at different pressures and BTU-per-cubic-foot, so orifices, and sometimes the regulator and valves, must be swapped to the correct size for safe, complete combustion.
Natural gas is delivered at lower pressure and has a lower BTU content per cubic foot than propane, so a natural-gas burner needs larger orifices to deliver the same heat output, and a propane burner needs smaller ones. Using the wrong size causes incomplete combustion, sooting, or dangerously high flame.
No -- not every model has a manufacturer-approved conversion kit. Check the specific grill's manual or manufacturer's parts page before assuming a conversion is available; some grills are propane-only or natural-gas-only by design.
Generally yes, per unit of heat delivered, since natural gas piped to a home is typically cheaper than refilling or exchanging propane tanks -- but it requires a fixed gas line installation, which is a bigger upfront commitment than a portable propane tank.
No. Doing so risks incomplete combustion, excess carbon monoxide, or flame that's too large for the burner and hood clearance. Always use the manufacturer's specific, listed conversion kit and follow its instructions, or have a qualified technician perform the conversion.