Updated at: 05-08-2022 - By: cnbusinessnews

If propane gas is added to a natural gas stove, what happens? It was commonly misunderstood that propane could be used as a safe and effective replacement for natural gas in cooking appliances. When utilizing propane in a stove that was meant for natural gas, the frame can become too large because to the difference in the size of the orifice jet used for the two fuels.

Careful, this could cause burns and break your stove and house. Even worse than that is the possibility of an explosion that causes death. It is against the law to use propane in a natural gas stove. If you want to utilize propane, you need to make some adjustments to your stove so that it burns with the appropriate amount of flame. If you do this, you can reduce the odds of an explosion or fire starting.

Propane vs Natural Gas; What are the differences?

Natural gas is widely used as a heating source because of the enormous amount of methane it contains. There must be more air than propane to burn it effectively. Better combustion can be achieved with a larger orifice hole in a natural gas stove.

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Propane is a residual product of natural gas and crude oil distillation. One of its numerous names is Liquid Petroleum, although there are others (LP). Because it becomes a liquid at lower pressures than natural gas, propane is denser than the latter.

As opposed to natural gas, which is transported through pipes, propane is shipped in pressurized cylinders that keep the gas at its original density and pressure.

The BTU rating of propane is greater. Compared to natural gas, propane has twice the amount of energy in a single unit. When compared to natural gas, propane is twice as inefficient at producing heat.

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#1. Nothing will happen

However, propane has a higher BTU capacity. Compared to natural gas, propane offers twice the amount of energy in a single unit. In comparison to natural gas, propane requires twice as much fuel to produce the same quantity of heat.

#2. Fire blowback resulted from pressure build-up

Propane has a higher BTU capacity. When comparing propane to natural gas, keep in mind that propane provides twice the energy per unit. Propane requires twice as much to achieve the same heating output as natural gas.

#3. Too large flame

However, the orifice jet of natural gas is much greater than that of propane. Since more propane will be released from the jet, the flame will be larger. This is significantly larger than that.

If you imagine the flame coming from your stovetop’s burner, that’s essentially what a flamethrower looks like. Isn’t it a total failure? It could cause the stove to break or perhaps start a fire in the house.

Converting Your Stove!

Using a propane stove instead of a natural gas one can help you avoid these issues. You can now use propane with confidence in a gas burner designed for natural gas. Switching from natural gas to propane, however, could be a challenging choice. Everything you need to know is laid out below.

However, you should first check the local ordinances, as in some cities, only licensed specialists are allowed to carry out such work. If you want to convert your stove, make sure it can be done. This is because some stoves can’t be converted.

3 Reasons Why You Need To Convert Your Natural Gas Stove Into A Propane One

Propane and natural gas are different and cannot be substituted for one another. On the other hand, propane has a number of benefits that could make it the fuel of choice. This is only a small sample of the many possibilities.

#1. More efficient

Only a small percentage of the energy that propane generates comes from natural gas. Alternatively stated, your natural gas consumption will be reduced by 50%. It won’t make a difference; the temperature won’t drop. And, did you know there’s a propane fridge as well? Just how does a fridge that runs on propane function?

#2. Pay as you use

In contrast to other fuels, propane costs you only for the gas you actually consume. To save money, you can schedule your refills for off-peak hours. Also, unlike natural gas, where the price is regulated, you can choose your own provider. It can only be obtained by purchasing it from the company responsible for your local gas pipeline.

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#3. Lesser costs

Propane uses half the quantity of fuel as gasoline, so you’ll save money there. Since only half of the natural gas is actually used, the price is the same even if you happen to reside in a region that consumes twice as much as you do. Furthermore, if you shop around for cheap gas, you can cut your costs even further.

How do you know if your gas stove is natural gas or propane?

Verify that natural gas is compatible with your stove by consulting the manual. In the event you are unable to locate it elsewhere, you can obtain a copy directly from the manufacturer’s website in the form of a downloadable PDF file.

In addition, some stoves have manufacturer information printed on a label inside the oven or broiler door. A sign will typically specify whether the connection is for natural gas or propane.

If you have the necessary expertise, you can take apart the burner and inspect the jet caps. These are screw-on caps with a hole drilled into them. A look at the orifice tip will tell you if you’re dealing with natural gas or propane. In contrast to natural gas, which would have larger holes, propane’s would be rather small.

Is it possible to convert a natural gas stove to propane, and how is it done?

Natural gas and propane appliances can be converted to work with either fuel, but the process requires special care.

However, the maker of many gas stoves includes an installation kit. There is a significant likelihood that yours isn’t convertible, therefore you may want to check with the manufacturer to see if they can help.

Different stoves will require a different regulator, either mechanical or electronic, to provide the desired pressure.

Orifices are used to regulate the flow of gas to the burner. The sizes and forms of gases can vary greatly. Replace the burner orifices with ones that are smaller if you want the propane gas flow through them to be as efficient as possible.

Sometimes called a “mixer of the air” or “air shutter,” among other names. Some gas burners have an air shutter that may be toggled on and off to effect a change in fuel type. Conversions require checking with the original equipment maker.

The air shutter may be situated near the burner knobs or the valve hood. Once you’ve removed the burner knobs, you should be able to access a tiny air adjustment screw and adjust the air flow to your liking.

Always verify with the appliance’s manufacturer that a gas conversion is possible and meets all safety standards. In some cases, it could be cheaper to buy a new appliance that runs on propane than to repair an old one.

In order to avoid any unanticipated problems, it is essential that the conversion be carried out by an experienced professional. Technicians with experience will have a better understanding of how much pressure to apply.

Reasons to convert natural gas stove to propane

As an alternative to traditional fuel sources, propane stoves are becoming increasingly popular. The product’s success can be attributed to its portability, user-friendliness, and low cost.

Setting up a propane gas system is easy and can be done anywhere. It’s possible that you’ve recently moved to a region where natural gas isn’t readily available for home delivery.

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Additional Information You Need To Know About Converting Your Stove

  • A price range of $150-$200 is provided. Prices to have a professional refit a gas range with four burners range from $150 to $200. This accounts for both the time spent getting there and the time spent getting back. Always find out what is covered by a price before agreeing to pay it.
  • In most cases, the conversion kit will be attached to the back or side of the stove. Some stoves include a plastic bag attached to the side or rear that contains the conversion fittings. If your stove does not have a built-in option, you may be able to have one installed. If you’re handy around the house, you can pick up a conversion kit and save yourself some cash.
  • The orifice size varies from burner to burner. Depending on the dimensions of the burner, different orifices will need to be used. Installing four different sized burners requires four separate orifices.
  • The regulator will need to be tweaked. A pressure regulator upgrade is required to increase the pressure of a natural gas stove from the standard 4 inches to the higher 10 inches.
  • Turn down to a low simmer each of the stovetop burners. Slight adjustments are needed for each burner’s simmer setting. Check the flame frequently to make sure it doesn’t go out as the temperature or flame level changes.
  • Regularly inspect for gas leaks. All you need is some soapy water in a spray bottle to check the integrity of the gas lines after you’ve tinkered with them. After spraying the gas line with the soapy liquid, make sure to check for the presence of bubbles. To fix the gas leak, you’ll need to either replace the line or call in a professional.

It’s A Wrap!

But what if you try to use propane in a stove that only uses natural gas? Natural gas and propane are interchangeable as fuel sources. Propane is not recommended for use on a gas burner since it can cause explosions, flames, and even death.

On the other hand, if you have a natural gas stove and want to use it with propane, you can do so with the proper conversion parts. But before you start the conversion process, make sure you know the local codes in your area. This is because professional assistance may be mandated by statute. There’s still a chance you’ll have time to learn “What Does It Mean When Your AC Freezes Up?”