Natural gas grill?

[JoeWras]

I see these are readily available. Sounds like a good idea. I might get one.

 

[audreyh1]

Well, a bit ago my son dropped by and used the grill while we were away. He left it on an it emptied the tank. Not a big deal but, if it was the natural gas line it would have been a very big deal.
This makes it a non-starter since I can easily see this happening again in the future.

Well it’s too bad you can’t rely on a user to shut off the gas.

We’re the only ones using our grill, and shutting off the natural gas valve at the wall is SOP.

 

[splitwdw]

Another possibility or something else to consider is you could use it for a whole house generator.

Yes, why do you think the gas line is for a grill. We use to have a whirlpool spa on our deck with a big heater. When the whirlpool died we didn't get a replacement. We got a whole house generator and used the natural gas line for it.

 

[JoeWras]

Use it for whatever you want, as long as it has the proper flow rate. Most generators need at least 1" line, maybe more. My little 3/4" line for the grill wouldn't cut it.

 

[COcheesehead]

We use natural gas. Endless supply. No more worries about not having enough. It cooks well and shutting it off is a breeze.

 

[Venturer]

I got married in 1971 and my DM & stepdad moved into a new house in 1973 that had a NG grill mounted on a pedistal in the back yard just off the sliding glass door. We would go over a lot and cookout with them. They lived there for 10 years and used that grill the whole time, it was great. I wish I had access to NG here but alas not in my neighborhood so its propane for us. I just have 3 of the 20# tanks and swap out if I run out. When I have 2 of them empty we make a Costco run to fill them so I can have the back ups full and ready to go.

 

[Gumby]

I have two portable propane tanks. I use one, switching between the grill and smoker as necessary. When it empties, I immediately hook up my second one and then go get the empty refilled the next day. That way, I don't end up with halfway grilled steaks or halfway smoked ribs.

 

[ERD50]

Yes, NG better than propane in every way (except maybe the lower BTU content, but I don't think that's an issue after you change the orifice).

As has been noted:

Convenient - you never run out, never worry about running out.

The connections generally are more permanent with NG, less chance of a leak (safety issue and another 'running out' issue).

And, those safety flow valves on the propane tanks are pretty easy to false trigger, I've had to fiddle/reset mine a few times.

Cheaper - the cost of the NG isn't even a consideration, compared to the cost of a tank (and a spare), refills and trips.

What I don't think was mentioned is that Natural Gas is much SAFER than Propane!

Natural Gas (methane) is lighter than air, propane is heavier than air. This is very important. If the flame goes out and you try to relight, or have trouble lighting it, or it was unknowingly left on when you tried to light it, the propane sinks to the bottom of the grill and collects and 'pools' there. It can create a concentration that will ignite, and the whole thing can blow very forcefully.

Natural Gas, being lighter than air, tends to just rise up and out, and not collect to levels that will ignite, other than right at the burner itself.

Same is true of propane in a home. There was a case around here years ago of a propane leak in a home, and it all settled in the basement, and the homeowner was unaware. She gets up, runs some hot water to wash up, and the water heater starts up, lighting all the propane that has pooled in the basement. Blew the place sky high. Amazingly, she survived with fairly minor injuries, as a bathroom typically has at least one very beefy wall (thicker to make room for large drain pipes and other 'mechanical' stuff).

Be extra special careful with propane. NG is dangerous as well, and has to be treated with respect, but propane is far more likely to cause harm.

And "hey, hey hey -- be careful out there!" (what was that, 'Hill Street Blues'?)

.... A proper installation MUST have a shut-off at the pipe. You cannot depend on the grill to turn it off. This may go without saying, but sometimes handyman connections are wonky so just want to say it.

Good point, I did that at my old place.

-ERD50

 

[Mark1]

What I don't think was mentioned is that Natural Gas is much SAFER than Propane!

+1 You can't get a BLEVE with vaporized natural gas, but you sure can with liquid propane (or a train rail car filled with light flammable liquids, which is why they vented them in Ohio).
https://www.google.com/search?clien...#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:61921840,vid:UM0jtD_OWLU

 

[JoeWras]

What I don't think was mentioned is that Natural Gas is much SAFER than Propane!

Natural Gas (methane) is lighter than air, propane is heavier than air. This is very important. If the flame goes out and you try to relight, or have trouble lighting it, or it was unknowingly left on when you tried to light it, the propane sinks to the bottom of the grill and collects and 'pools' there. It can create a concentration that will ignite, and the whole thing can blow very forcefully.

Great point!

I'm used to NG and how it behaves. One time I was at SIL and she asked me to light her porch "fire rocks." I knew there was some releasing before I tried, but thought it would be like NG.

Nope! Got a slight burn on my arm and lost some arm hair. It really woke me up to the dangers of propane and blow back.

I have some small propane cylinders for plumbing soldering. I keep them outside.

 

[Winemaker]

I am going to replace my Weber propane grill soon with a NG grill. Does anyone have a preferred brand? I'm very disappointed with my Weber; we use it at least twice a week year round. I have been known to be grilling during blizzards in my neighborhood.

Once I get done running all the new electric work on the new deck by the end of the month, I will be extending the NG line to outside to fuel a linear fireplace and the grill.

 

[audreyh1]

I’m very happy with my Weber Genesis E-320 grill. I ordered the natural gas version from Lowe’s back in 2011. It’s been a champ.

 

[rk911]

We recently moved into a house which has natural gas supplied by the town.
I noticed a natural gas pipe/hookup extended outside under the back deck. I imagine it was put in to allow for an outside grill.

I have been using a nice Webber propane grill for years, and still use it.
Now, I am tempted to switch over to a natural gas grill and make the outside connection. However, I have never grilled with natural gas.

Does anyone here use natural gas grills?
How does it do compared to propane? I wonder if it imparts a different taste to the food, since grilling means cooking over an exposed flame essentially.

Thx.

yep.we did the same when we had our deck built. we ran a pipe from the main gas line under the deck where it splits into two branches...one for the Weber 3-burner nat. gas grill and the other for a yet-to-be-installed fire table. the nat gas grills fine...no issues. we previously grilled with charcoal. nat. gasis much better.

 

[eytonxav]

I am going to replace my Weber propane grill soon with a NG grill. Does anyone have a preferred brand? I'm very disappointed with my Weber; we use it at least twice a week year round. I have been known to be grilling during blizzards in my neighborhood.

I was wondering about best brands as well. I've heard Napoleon Prestige 500 mentioned as being good. I was under the impression the Webers are always a good choice. Just would want to get even heating and one that is easy to clean.

 

[Jerry1]

I am going to replace my Weber propane grill soon with a NG grill. Does anyone have a preferred brand? I'm very disappointed with my Weber; we use it at least twice a week year round. I have been known to be grilling during blizzards in my neighborhood.

Once I get done running all the new electric work on the new deck by the end of the month, I will be extending the NG line to outside to fuel a linear fireplace and the grill.

What Weber grill do you have? I have the Genesis S-320 and am very happy with it. Wondering what it is about your Weber that you don’t like?

You can get one of these:

https://kalamazoogourmet.com/products/k500-freestanding-hybrid-fire-grill/

Might be a bit more expensive than a Weber.

 

[big-papa]

Yes, I got the natural gas version of the larger Weber Genesis grill. I had to order it, no problem. Lowe’s delivered and we got the special dark brown “espresso”Lowe’s color which I preferred to black. Also lots more storage available in the cabinet under the grill.

It works great and is very convenient. When we had the house built we had them install a natural gas connection in the courtyard wall. The hose is long enough that I can roll the grill around quite a bit. I have a valve at the wall where I shut off the gas when not grilling.

Absolutely no difference in taste. The gas burns off.

Exactly what we have as well. Also from Lowes. One thing I like a lot is just how fast it heats up.

Cheers
Big Papa

 

[DrRoy]

We did not notice any difference on the taste. Handy to never run out of gas.

 

[ERD50]

What Weber grill do you have? I have the Genesis S-320 and am very happy with it. Wondering what it is about your Weber that you don’t like?

You can get one of these:

https://kalamazoogourmet.com/products/k500-freestanding-hybrid-fire-grill/

Might be a bit more expensive than a Weber.

Is that a comma or a decimal place on the price??!! Other sites say "Call for Quote" (they probably ask if you are sitting down).

I need to check out my future Son-In-Law's grill. He's got an infrared burner on the back, which is what I think I need for effective rotisserie chicken.

I love rotisserie chicken, but I need to put the pans underneath to avoid flare-ups, then the heat is too indirect for the crisp skin I crave.

-ERD50

 

[COcheesehead]

We bought our last grill at an Ace Hardware and they delivered it built - which is nice. They told us to have a licensed plumber hook up the gas line, but I did it myself. Just get the right connectors and sealant.

 

[audreyh1]

OK, I finally took a picture of our handy gas shutoff valve at the wall. It has a nice quick connect for the hose at the bottom. The valve is easy to see and turn - inline = on.

 

[Winemaker]

My grill is a Weber Genesis Special Edition. Propane, 3 burner, push button ignition, at least 8 years old, paid about $700 on sale.

 

[audreyh1]

My grill is a Weber Genesis Special Edition. Propane, 3 burner, push button ignition, at least 8 years old, paid about $700 on sale.

What is it that you find disappointing about the grill?

 

[NewEnglander]

We're still using our 20+ year old Weber Genesis Silver-B propane grill. We live in New England and have kept it outside it's entire life. Use it several times per week. We've replaced the grates and igniter a few times but it's still on the original burner. My MIL has a newer Weber Spirit that I don't think is the same quality.

 

[ERD50]

We bought our last grill at an Ace Hardware and they delivered it built - which is nice. They told us to have a licensed plumber hook up the gas line, but I did it myself. Just get the right connectors and sealant.

OK, I'm a bit OCD and DIY, but I just don't trust assembly of things like that to the local store. The instructions are typically confusing, and doing it right can make a difference to how well it works, or how long it stays together. And when something comes apart because it wasn't put together correctly, that can often lead to damage of other parts. They often just pick a high school stock boy to do the job.

As an example - the movers took apart and put together our old bed frame when we moved. A few weeks later, I realized that one of the insert threaded metal dowels was missing, and the guy just put the bolt in without the fastener. Longer term, that joint would come apart and as it gets loose, the leverage builds up on it and it can get pretty seriously damaged. I picked up a replacement fastener at the hardware store, and checked the whole thing.

-ERD50

 

[Music Lover]

We're still using our 20+ year old Weber Genesis Silver-B propane grill. We live in New England and have kept it outside it's entire life. Use it several times per week. We've replaced the grates and igniter a few times but it's still on the original burner. My MIL has a newer Weber Spirit that I don't think is the same quality.

How many is a "few times"? I've been using the same cheap $200 barbeque for almost 20 years. It still has the original burners, although last year I had to replace the heat shields.