Colbyt wrote:
"Steve" wrote in message
.128...

Nate Nagel wrote in
:


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.

Is that Arlington, TX?


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?

Yes. You'll have to replace the orifice with one designed for natural
gas.


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?

Yes. You'll need an actual plumber, at least in North Texas. The gas
company will cut off your gas, the new work will be done, and the gas
company will do an inspection before they turn the gas back on. You
might be able to get away with doing it yourself, but if you mess up,
your insurance company probably won't cover it. If you hire a plumber,
his insurance takes over.
--
Steve B.
New Life Home Improvement





I will second the answers that Steve gave with the exceptions that here it
is legal for the homeowner to do it in their personal residence.

The big gottcha is finding the proper orifice and you must have an internal
and external shutoff here.


To answer a couple questions in one post, I'm talking about Arlington,
VA, and the tank in question that I spent so much money on is not a 50
lb deal but a standard 17 lb propane tank, hence my suspicion that the
pricing is significantly higher than I'd spend if I simply used regular
natural gas.

nate


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