Can You Convert A Weber Natural Gas Grill To A Propane Device?

Ossiana Tepfenhart
by Ossiana Tepfenhart

Weber is famous for creating great gas grills that are as versatile as they possibly can be. Weber natural gas grills are popular, but the price of natural gas is starting to get pretty bad in some areas. That’s why many people are wondering whether they can convert a Weber natural gas grill to a propane grill. Is it possible, or is this just a bad idea?

Officially, Weber does not condone nor support the conversion of their natural gas grills to propane grills. However, that doesn’t mean it can’t be safely done. If you have the right connections, you can convert your natural gas grill to propane with ease.

Before you assume that you should convert your natural gas grill to propane, it’s a good idea to learn what the full story is before you start. So, maybe it’s time to talk about the conversion issue…

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Why Does Weber Refuse To Support Gas To Propane Grill Conversions?

In the past, Weber was famous for making a point of encouraging people to convert their grills. However, the standards that they had changed as a result of new updates to propane safety. If done incorrectly, a propane grill conversion could cause a massive explosion that results in fire and death.

Because there have been issues with conversions in the past, Weber will actually void your grill’s warranty if there is evidence that you tried to convert it. That’s really important if you want to make sure that you keep your warranty intact. Now that we’ve explained the risks, we might as well add that this is still frequently done. So, it’s up to you to decide whether you want to take that risk.

Can You Hire A Gas Grill Dealer To Convert Your Grill?

It used to be easy to hire a gas grill seller to do this work for you. In fact, most grill dealerships would have someone on staff who knew how to do it for a nominal fee. That is no longer the case. To avoid major lawsuits, Weber actually had all of their dealers sign agreements to refuse to convert new gas grills.

As a result of the new paperwork, there is nowhere in the country that offers this service. If you want to do it, you will have to do it at home on your own. Some handymen also tend to offer this service, but it’s rarely ever officially advertised due to the legal implications that it can have.

Where Do You Find Gas To Propane Conversion Kits?

Weber no longer sells these kits. You may have to go to sites like eBay to find them. Do not use conversion kits that have visible wear and tear, or worse, breaks. Remember, you are doing something that is not considered to be advisable by the manufacturer. So, you are taking your safety into your own hands.

It’s worth noting that some grills will not have compatible conversion kits out there. If this is the case, then you should not try to convert the grill at all. Sure, there may be “universal” conversion kits sold by shady third parties, but do you really want to take that risk? We think not.

How Do You Convert Your Weber From Natural Gas To Propane?

In order to convert a Weber grill from natural gas to propane, you will need to get a gas-to-propane conversion kit. A conversion kit will allow you to switch out the orifices that the gas pours out from. These can be hard to find “in the wild” since they tend to be in high demand from Weber.

Once you find the kits, you will have to follow these instructions below:

  • Shut off the gas. Make sure there is not any gas flowing in. Remove the canister that holds the natural gas, if your model has one. Otherwise, disconnect the gas line from the source.
  • Remove all the orifices and pipes that are labeled “natural gas.” Set them aside for future conversions, ideally in a nice, easy-to-access box.
  • Add the new orifices and piping that is labeled “propane.” These will be what’s included in the kit. You shouldn’t have any openings in the grill setup. Every orifice needs to be replaced or covered.
  • Insert the propane tank and secure everything. Amazed? Right. It’s just that simple.
  • Before you turn on the grill, use soapy water to check for gas leaks. Spray the tank, orifices, and hosing with soapy water. If you see bubbles forming, you have a leak and need to address it immediately.
  • Once it’s been cleared, you can use the newly converted propane grill as you see fit. Yay!

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Related Questions

Do natural gas grills get as hot as propane?

Natural gas grills do not get as hot as propane. Propane burns hotter than natural gas and also has a higher flame. As a result, people who tend to use natural gas grills do so for that delicious “low and slow” style of cooking. It’s great for tough cuts of meat, but if you were looking for a seared steak, you may be a little disappointed.


Can I use a natural gas orifice for propane grilling?

NO. Natural gas orifices need to be smaller than what you may find on the nozzles of propane. This is because propane tends to require a larger amount that also has to be sprayed out. Natural gas gets fed at a lower pressure than propane. If you use propane in a natural gas orifice setup, the results could quite likely be explosive.


Why are natural gas grills so expensive?

Natural gas grills tend to be more expensive than propane simply because of the way they are set up. The regulators in natural gas grills have hoses that run from the grill straight to your home. Since there is a lot more risk for mishaps with natural gas grills, you often have to pay a premium price for features and more complex regulators.

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Ossiana Tepfenhart
Ossiana Tepfenhart

Ossiana Tepfenhart is an expert writer, focusing on interior design and general home tips. Writing is her life, and it's what she does best. Her interests include art and real estate investments.

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