natural gas propane conversion ?

We have a full size propane oven/stove in our shack in the hills. It came with jets for conversion to natural gas. They are setting in a tray under the range top. Our propane supplier said it is no big deal to switch the oven/stove to natural gas if we wanted to. For safety/liability sake it should be done by a trained tech although you can find instructions and kits on line.

Even so, it is way easier, but not cheaper, to get a larger supply bottle.

Old-Biscuit,
Please, don't ever leave the Forum. Your replies to appliance/gas/plumbing questions are the best!

First off
Natural gas regulators need to be set for 7" WC (0.25 psi) vs propane which is set at 11" WC (0.4 psi)
This is due to natural gas orifices being larger because of the lower btu content of natural gas vs propane

Secondly...
Natural gas btu is only 1,030BTU per 1 cubic foot
Propane is 2,516BTU per cubic foot
So propane is more efficient due to higher btu content

BUT...
Natural gas is WAY less expensive then propane
$15 for 1,000 cubic feet of natural gas is equal to 11+ gallons of propane and at $2.50/gal that would cost $27.50 for same energy content
Natural gas wins in the cost category

Thirdly...
*Main regulator would have to be changed out for natural gas requirement (or attempt to adjust one to lower system pressure of 7"WC)
*All propane appliances.....water heater, fridge, furnace, stove top burners and oven....would need orifices changed to larger sizes for natural gas
*Stove top and oven regulator would need to be changed/adjusted...propane reg for stove top/oven set for 10"WC.....
*Air shutters.......critical for mixing to create correct fuel/air ratios
Several RV propane appliances do not have shutters......fixed position based on system pressure/fuel flow-

Fourthly......
MANY appliances are designed for specific fuel and are not to be converted



So instead of reinventing the wheel........just get larger propane cylinder(s)

They come in 30#, 40# and even 100#

You maybe able to use the natural gas with the propane orifices,well head gas is hotter than what you get in town.We have used it in a propane furnace at home with very little difference in heat output.But check about regulators with someone that knows what they are doing.It worked for us but that's all I can say.If it's just a gas line and not a well then all bets are off.

Sis-in-Law needed to do a little...a lot...more planning/learning/research before buying a TT for full time living. Two propane tanks in the front? Haven’t seen anything else in...ever.

When we were at an RV park in Oklahoma City there were a bunch of permanent residents with 100 gallon/420lb tanks in front of their trailer. I assume a service comes by every X days and tops them off in the winter.

Yes just a larger propane tank would be the fix. If electric is less expensive she could also use space heaters. It expensive to fill the little bottles if she has a tank set by a propane supplier it will probably cost her about 1/3 or less per gallon than the little tanks.

Typically you will need to change the regulator and/or the gas orifices.

First, I would contact the gas company to see if RV appliances can be changed to natural gas.

An alternate approach is to have a large propane tank connected and filled as needed. That is what us country folks do.

Good luck.

Have her buy or rent a large tank and arrange with a local gas supplier to check and fill it regularly. In FL maybe monthly would work. In cold (lower than 35) 25 gallons should last a week.

I dont think the appliances have replacement parts to convert.
Another option is to get a larger tank and have it automatically refilled monthly by a service.