Nate Nagel wrote:
Clot wrote:
Nate Nagel wrote:

Hi,

I'm sure that I just got poked in the no-no spot. SWMBO brought
home some trout today and informed me that we would be grilling it
later, would I please pick up a new propane tank? After visiting
two Orange-Colored Stores and filling myself with the usual
loathing and hatred of my fellow man (not even determining if they
did, in fact, sell propane, as I wasn't able to accomplish my
initial goal of finding some new watering cans, and wasn't able to
find a sales associate to assist me - even after waiting at the
service desk of the second store for a good ten minutes) I finally
gave up and drove into Arlington to a small hardware store that I
knew sold propane. I wanted to purchase a new tank, as I had only
one and it was almost empty, I figured if I had two tanks then I
wouldn't ever have to worry about running out and would also be
able to get full use out of them and not have to return a tank with
useful gas left in it for fear of running out mid-grill.
Well, first I was informed that the "quick disconnect" connector on
my old tank was obsolete, so I could either get on a waiting list
that they would call when they finally got some tanks in with quick
disconnects, or else buy a new regulator/hose assembly for
$20-something. So I bought the hose, because I figured if there was
a waiting list now and the connector was obsolete, the situation was
only going to get worse in the future. I didn't even ask how much
the new tank was... it was *SEVENTY-FIVE DOLLARS!* Well, being the
sort of guy that appreciates a good grilled trout, and not knowing
anywhere else likely to be open on a Sunday that sold propane, I
bought it, but I still feel vaguely violated.
So the question is kind of a two-parter. First, is it possible to
convert an old Weber propane grill to safely operate on natural gas
as delivered to one's house? If so, is it legal to pipe the gas
outside the house, e.g. to a connection on an outside wall on the
deck, so that I could hook up my grill to it?



I look forward to the responses to this! Here in the UK, Nanny State
Police would find so many ways to stop this plan, that you would
never even consider it!


I'm kind of suspecting that there's a Bad Idea somewhere in there, I
just don't know exactly what it is yet. If it can be overcome,
however, that would be a big savings because AFAIK an empty new tank
is only about $25 meaning a refill at this store would have been
about $50. That's a lot of dough! My monthly gas bill for everything
- heating, water heater, stove, dryer, etc. - has never been over
$200, ever.


I'm guessing, but you are talking about circa 50lb. gas tanks? We have a
similar arrangement over here. I have 3 gas tanks - one propane and two
butane that I use rarely. One Butane is used say 0 to 15 times a year for
the BBQ and the others once a year for a local Lions Club MayDay Carnival -
which is tomorrow!

Pre- planning is a good thing! I got hold of the 2 Burcos (large water
boilers), cleaned them, sterilised the contents by boiling, but in the
process found that the propane tank was empty! No problem, the two butane
have enough gas, *ugger, where's the valve? Nicked the one from my BBQ.
Changing that valve reduced my personal energy significantly!

Doug@s comment re the technical issue is right, you'll need different jets.