Monday, March 10, 2014

Drilling An Orifice To Convert From Propane Gas To Natural Gas



I was told I need to drill the two orfices out in order to convert from LP to Nat-gas. I have everything, but need the drill size for drilling purposes.
I have tried calling their 800 #, but have been put on hold twise for over an hour. NO MORE OF THAT, if I can help it.
Thank You,
It is a Jenn-air unit.
Thanks
Dale in Indy

It is preferable to purchase the correct orifice as drilling one might not be as simple as it sounds.
You need to select the correct drill size but should not use an electric hand drill to do it.
If you are not steady the brass is very soft and will easily over drill the hole which will give you a very poor flame.
Orifice drills are attached to a small handle and are twisted by hand to ensure the hole is as accurate as possible.
Image courtesy of teecoproducts.com
Here is a chart that will give you the correct sizes.

No manufacturer will give you advice converting a grill from propane to natural gas. Too much legal liability.
First you need to know your current orfice size in order to know what size to drill. Attempting to convert from propane to natural gas is often attempted by home brewers who use outdoor gas burners. Most have trouble getting them to work but it can be done sometimes. It takes experimenting because you are changing everything; fuel, fuel pressure, orfice size, fuel/air mixture. It's not as simple as saying use this size drill.
Oh, for legal and safety sake. Do not convert your grill.

I know it's a little late, but in rural areas where stoves and the like are shipped for Natural Gas and have to be converted to propane, the propane guys just throw the NG orifices away. You may find it beneficial to talk to one of them for the possibility of getting a set. If it were me, I'd let them do the conversion anyway.

Originally Posted by Pilot Dane
No manufacturer will give you advice converting a grill from propane to natural gas. Too much legal liability.
First you need to know your current orfice size in order to know what size to drill. Attempting to convert from propane to natural gas is often attempted by home brewers who use outdoor gas burners. Most have trouble getting them to work but it can be done sometimes. It takes experimenting because you are changing everything; fuel, fuel pressure, orfice size, fuel/air mixture. It's not as simple as saying use this size drill.
Oh, for legal and safety sake. Do not convert your grill.
I was going to try the drill size and found that weber sold the burner for my outdoor grill. LOVE IT!
NG is not some magic stuff. Common sense, nothing the laws and codes make it very easy.
I have a 150K but LP heater that I will be drilling out in small drill sizes since there is not much more too it for this app.

Hello --
I've read the various threads in this discussion group and think things are almost as clear as they can be about the steps in converting the orifices from Propane to NG. The approach I am taking is to buy the orifices I need and not drill them and to take the simple approach about the gas regulator. Beyond that I dont think there is much else one needs to to other than be careful and test the connections for leaks ...

Converting from LP to natural gas safely and correctly involves more than might be apparent to the typical DIYer.
Frankly, it's folly to drill out orifices. If you can get the correct orifice, don't do it.
You need to get the correct sized orifice, get the gas pressure correct which may involve a new regulator, adjust the primary air shutters correctly and generally be able to look at the equipment and how it's operating to be sure it's correct.
Not really a good DIY project, in my opinion. Too many things that require some judgment and experience to get correct.






Tags: drilling, orifice, convert, propane, natural, orfice size, propane natural, size drill, will give, convert from, drill size, from propane