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Can You Convert a Propane Grill to Natural Gas?

Home/Resources/Outdoor Living & Grills/Propane to Natural Gas Conversion
Derek Holt
Written & researched by Derek Holt Home & Appliances Editor
Updated October 2026
Over-the-shoulder view of a person grilling vegetables, in soft overcast light

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You can convert a propane grill to natural gas only if the manufacturer sells a conversion kit for that exact model. Natural gas arrives at lower pressure and carries less than half the energy per cubic foot of propane, so the burner orifices must be enlarged to factory-specified sizes, the regulator swapped or removed, and a natural-gas hose fitted. Grills labeled convertible have a kit; many grills are not convertible at all. Running any grill on the wrong gas without the correct parts causes dangerous flames, sooting and carbon-monoxide risk — this is a parts-and-pressure problem, not a hose swap.

Why the two gases aren't interchangeable

The two fuels differ in exactly the two ways that matter at a burner: pressure and energy density. Propane is delivered from its tank regulator at roughly 11 inches of water column and holds about 2,500 BTU per cubic foot; residential natural gas runs near 7 inches of water column and only about 1,000 BTU per cubic foot. To pull the same heat out of a leaner, lower-pressure fuel, each burner needs a larger orifice hole and a different regulator arrangement. That is why a kit exists at all — it is re-sizing the metering hardware for a different gas.

PropertyPropane (LP)Natural gas (NG)
Supply pressure~11 in water column~7 in water column
Energy density~2,500 BTU/cu ft~1,000 BTU/cu ft
Orifice size neededSmallerLarger
Fuel sourcePortable tankFixed line from house meter
RegulatorTank-mountedDifferent or none at grill
Three-quarter view of a person grilling vegetables, in warm evening lamplight

What actually has to change

A proper conversion is three coordinated changes, all supplied by the factory kit: the burner orifices (the biggest job), the regulator, and the hose and fitting. Skip any one and the grill runs wrong.

If the manufacturer does not list a kit for your model, treat the grill as non-convertible. Modifying it anyway voids the appliance's safety listing and warranty and is genuinely hazardous.

Low-angle view of a person grilling vegetables, in warm late-afternoon light

Which parts are DIY and which need a pro?

The grill-side conversion, with a factory kit and its instructions, is within reach of a careful DIYer on a convertible model. The gas supply is not. Running a natural-gas line from the meter to the patio, adding a shutoff and quick-connect, and pressure-testing the joints should be done by a licensed plumber or gas fitter, typically under a permit and inspection. Your local building department sets those rules. The practical division is simple: kit converts the grill, licensed pro installs the line that feeds it.

Golden-hour view of a person grilling vegetables

Is conversion cheaper than buying a natural-gas grill?

Often not, once the line is counted. The conversion kit itself is usually 30 to 100 dollars, but the natural-gas supply line and quick-connect commonly run from several hundred dollars to over a thousand installed, depending on distance from the meter, whether the meter has spare capacity, and local labor. Get a plumber's quote for the line before deciding. If you already have a gas line stubbed out near the patio, conversion makes sense; if not, a purpose-built natural-gas grill on a new line can be the cleaner buy — see our best gas grill picks, several of which ship in a natural-gas version.

Whichever fuel you settle on, a converted grill still lives or dies by corrosion, so the same care that governs how long a gas grill lasts applies, and safe siting still means keeping it the right distance from the house.

We do not buy, test or physically handle any product on this site. Guidance here reflects manufacturer conversion documentation and gas-appliance safety standards — see how we rank.

More from this hub: Outdoor Living & Grills · Propane tanks in winter · Checking a propane tank without a gauge · Best gas grills · How we rank

Straight Answers

Frequently Asked

Can you convert a propane grill to natural gas?

Sometimes, but only if the grill's manufacturer sells a conversion kit rated for that exact model. Natural gas is delivered at much lower pressure than propane and carries less energy per cubic foot, so the burner orifices must be drilled larger, the regulator swapped or removed, and a natural-gas hose fitted. Many grills are labeled 'convertible' and have a kit available; many are not. Using a grill on the wrong gas without the correct parts produces dangerous flames and is a fire and carbon-monoxide risk.

Why can't you just swap the hose?

Because propane and natural gas behave differently at the burner. Propane runs at roughly 11 inches of water column pressure and packs about 2,500 BTU per cubic foot; natural gas runs near 7 inches and only about 1,000 BTU per cubic foot. To get the same heat from a fuel with less energy at lower pressure, the burner orifice holes must be larger and the regulator changed. A hose alone leaves you with tiny orifices metering the wrong gas — weak, uneven flames or, worse, an over-rich mixture.

Do you need a plumber or a professional to convert a grill?

For the grill itself, a manufacturer kit with clear instructions can be a competent DIY job on convertible models. But the natural-gas supply line is not: running a gas line to the patio, adding a shutoff and a quick-connect, and pressure-testing it should be done by a licensed plumber or gas fitter and usually requires a permit. Most jurisdictions require that supply work be inspected. Convert the grill by kit; leave the line that feeds it to a licensed pro.

How much does it cost to convert a grill to natural gas?

The conversion kit itself typically runs 30 to 100 dollars where the manufacturer offers one. The larger cost is almost always the gas supply line: running a new natural-gas line and quick-connect from the house to the grill commonly costs several hundred to over a thousand dollars installed, depending on distance and whether the meter has capacity. Get a plumber's quote for the line before assuming conversion is cheaper than a dedicated natural-gas grill.

Is it safe to drill out propane orifices yourself?

No. Guessing an orifice size and drilling it out by hand is how people create over-firing, sooting, carbon-monoxide production and flames that roll out of the burner. Orifice diameter is engineered to the fuel and the burner's BTU rating, and manufacturer kits supply pre-sized orifices for that reason. If your grill has no factory kit, it is not convertible — buy a natural-gas model rather than modifying one and voiding its listing and warranty.