Browse Forums Outdoor Living 1 Mar 21, 2011 9:02 am Was wondering if anyone can educate me on the use of mains gas on BBQ’s and patio heaters. I have a capped gas line in our alfresco and I plan to install a double valved tap that I can connect flexible pipes to, which will allow me to place the BBQ and patio heater anywhere in our outdoor area. I don’t see the point of having these things connected to mains gas if I lose the flexibility of being able to move them anywhere like I can do now with gas bottles. So... I have found the kit I need to convert the BBQ and also know that I have to drill out the holes on the burners so the gas flows out a little quicker. Does anyone know of a different way of converting the BBQ? The other question I have is in regard to our patio heater. The thing has a sticker on it saying “propane gas only”. Can this be converted so that I can run this on mains gas also? Current status: Busy making the house our home Built PD Francis 29 on our 576m2 block at Reflections in Tarneit Reflections Estate Thread Our Build Thread Re: Converting BBQ and Patio Heater to mains gas 2Mar 22, 2011 7:41 am You shouldn't have to drill out the jets, the kit you get to convert should come with Natural gas jets in it. As for the patio heater, is it one of the round one on wheels? How exactly do you plan on attaching the gas line? I'm pretty sure that one of the requirements is that gas appliances are securely mounted and not movable when hooked up top natural gas. Sorry I just read the flexible line bit. The idea is that the BBQ would be built in to the alfresco. I think you need to check the legality of having the gas line exposed beyond where it comes out of the ground ad fixed to the wall. Re: Converting BBQ and Patio Heater to mains gas 3Mar 22, 2011 7:48 am Thanks chrisandkate, the BBQ is portable now, the gas bottle sits on the floor or on a bracket on the BBQ, I plan to run the hose under the crushed rock we have there now (eventually I will build a deck over the area but will have provisions for the piping to run under the deck). As for the patio heater, yes it is one of those round ones on wheels. At the moment, I plan to install a tap at the wall where the gas line is, I am trying to get a double tap that will automatically shut off when the pipe (or hose) is disconnected. The biggest question I have is with the heater though, considering it says to only use propane gas, can it be converted? Current status: Busy making the house our home Built PD Francis 29 on our 576m2 block at Reflections in Tarneit Reflections Estate Thread Our Build Thread Re: Converting BBQ and Patio Heater to mains gas 4Mar 22, 2011 7:52 am Just had a convo about this with some guys I work with. A flexible gas line is not to be treated like an electrical extension lead. Moving a gas appliance a few inches/centimeters might be OK to adjust the position, but moving an appliance across a room whilst still attached is not a good idea. Stick to LPG Re: Converting BBQ and Patio Heater to mains gas 5Mar 22, 2011 7:56 am The appliances will never be moved while attached to the line, the reason I want to use mains gas is I am sick of gas bottles. The BBQ and heater are pretty much always used in the same spot, I just want to still have the freedom to move them around if I need to. Current status: Busy making the house our home Built PD Francis 29 on our 576m2 block at Reflections in Tarneit Reflections Estate Thread Our Build Thread Re: Converting BBQ and Patio Heater to mains gas 6Mar 22, 2011 7:57 am I should also add that when not in use, the BBQ, heater and lines will all be stored in the garage and only brought out when needed Current status: Busy making the house our home Built PD Francis 29 on our 576m2 block at Reflections in Tarneit Reflections Estate Thread Our Build Thread Re: Converting BBQ and Patio Heater to mains gas 7Mar 22, 2011 8:03 am Can it be converted, yes. Should you convert it whilst wanting to retain the ability to move it around. NO If you were to mount the head of the heater from the ceiling like some cafes have then it might be OK. Another thing is that auto shut off valves are not intended for that type of use with gas. I know you can have them for air lines (like in workshops) but Oxygen at atmospheric pressure is not flammable. If you intend on keeping these appliances portable my suggestion is that you keep them as LPG. For the most part. Natural gas fittings are not made to have connections fitted and removed repeatedly. A plug in auto shut off valve may not even be possible as there are standards to do with the types of fittings used for certain types of connections and sealers that can be used if required. Certain fittings can not have any sealants used. Re: Converting BBQ and Patio Heater to mains gas 8Mar 22, 2011 8:19 am All good points, the bit I don’t understand though is chrisandkate Should you convert it whilst wanting to retain the ability to move it around. NO What difference does it make whether it is run with a gas bottle or mains gas as to portability? Current status: Busy making the house our home Built PD Francis 29 on our 576m2 block at Reflections in Tarneit Reflections Estate Thread Our Build Thread Re: Converting BBQ and Patio Heater to mains gas 9Mar 22, 2011 8:51 am wizard All good points, the bit I don’t understand though is chrisandkate Should you convert it whilst wanting to retain the ability to move it around. NO What difference does it make whether it is run with a gas bottle or mains gas as to portability? As I said, Gas fittings are not made to be fitted and removed repeatedly, by doing so you may cause undue wear on the fittings. Its more a case of if you can move it around once its converted and hooked up, you probably will. Better (In my opinion) to not be able to move it around too much. The flexible lines are not made to be moved around whilst connected like a garden hose or electrical extension lead. They are made to give adaptability to appliances by not requiring hardware to be custom made to fit an exact angle. If tolerances are tight then a flexible line can help getting the appliance connected by allowing a few cm of movement. The ends of flexible braided lines are not meant to swivel or turn when tightened. This movement is required to allow the lines to flex and bend freely. If you move the line around too much when it is tightened it can still be damaged by the bell/olive/other fittings in the ends of the line moving/grinding against each other. Re: Converting BBQ and Patio Heater to mains gas 10Mar 22, 2011 9:08 am My eventual plan is to have a built in BBQ, but until I get around to constructing it I have to make do with the current BBQ, as for the heater, well, it will get moved around quite a bit. At the moment I am forever connecting and disconnecting the gas bottle to the BBQ anyway, the weight of the bottle makes the whole BBQ harder to move (the wheels are a little *******) so to lighten the load I take the bottle off. I will be going to a gas place near work (they make all the fittings and leads for gas appliances), I will have a chat to them and see what we can come up with. You have given me plenty to think about anyway, thanks. Current status: Busy making the house our home Built PD Francis 29 on our 576m2 block at Reflections in Tarneit Reflections Estate Thread Our Build Thread DIY, Home Maintenance & Repair Hi everyone Question about Brevis gas heating undergound - was recently installed by previous owners (<1 year old) but live in a relatively large house - 4 bdr - and only… 0 2043 if it's the look that you're not happy with, the easiest option would probably be to spray paint it all into the same color as the walls so it blends in. there might not… 3 4192 2 9451 |