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Adapting a Portable Grill for RV Propane Use

Blacklane
Explorer
Explorer
Most modern RVs come with a standardized outside propane quick-connect, although for some reason, outside appliance companies have been slow to adopt this. Most portable propane appliances come with a single regulator/valve/orifice assembly that screws onto a small propane bottle. This is not usable with the RV propane port, since the RV propane is already low-pressure, and the second regulator on the appliance leads to poor performance.

I recently bought a CharBroil "Grill 2 Go" and wanted to convert it to RV propane. Some of the ideas here are usable for other grills, such as the Weber Q grills.

My Charbroil Grill 2 Go came with a regulator/valve/orifice that had a threaded-on orifice that served as the attachment to the grill. I was able to unscrew the end piece that contained the orifice.


I bought a conversion kit intended for an Olympian grill that had an M12 x 1.5 threaded fitting. Of course, if your appliance has one of those, that's all you need. I actually have an old no-name grill that has this same fitting.

Olympian Kit:

Olympian Valve:

I adapted the Olympian grill fitting to my needs by removing the M12 fitting and attaching a 3/8" pipe fitting using JB weld. I could then use standard plumbing parts to attach the CharBroil fittings. Since the CharBroil fitting included the orifice, I had to remove the Olympian orifice.

Attach New Fitting:

New Assembly:

Ready to Go:

Of course, using JB Weld might seem to be a little unconventional, but I considered these facts: (1) JB weld is rated up to 600 degrees F, far above what this fitting will experience. In fact, the inside temperature of the grill can only get to about 500 F. (2) It is not affected by hydrocarbons. (3) I recently bought a camp stove and noticed that the regulator plumbing was assembled with epoxy rather than solder.
6 REPLIES 6

Ron3rd
Explorer III
Explorer III
Nice write-up for users of that bbq. I converted my Weber Q a couple years ago and it's a different setup.
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gotsmart
Explorer
Explorer
WyoTraveler wrote:
Camco sells the adapter kit. Don't know if it is compatible with all grills.

Was this the adapter that you are referring to?
Camco 59903 Propane Quick-Connect Fitting - 1/4" NPT x Full Flow Male Plug
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Paul_Clancy
Explorer
Explorer
I had my webber q100 converted. Was planning to do it myself but after figuring price ,time sourcing materials etc it was cheaper to have a local bbq shop do it. I also had them make me a 20ft hose with the quick connect male - female ends. All in under $80 - good value and we continue using the grill we love. Good work above though and I'm sure cheaper than I paid.

Blacklane
Explorer
Explorer
The adapter I bought seems to be dual-branded as Camco and Olympian, so I assume it is the Camco adapter that you mention.

WyoTraveler
Explorer
Explorer
Camco sells the adapter kit. Don't know if it is compatable with all grills.

LarryJM
Explorer II
Explorer II
I wonder if you couldn't remove the internal valve "guts" since it looks like it's attached by a couple of screws under the knob and if the barrel assembly is only metal then you could silver solder the fitting on instead of using JB Weld. I'm assuming the internals are some sort of needle valve with maybe an "O" for shutting off or sealing the rotating shaft and if you could remove that then heating the body shouldn't compromise anything. Nothing wrong with JB Weld, but I just like something a little more permanent and secure and am a solder type anyway.:B

Larry
2001 standard box 7.3L E-350 PSD Van with 4.10 rear and 2007 Holiday Rambler Aluma-Lite 8306S Been RV'ing since 1974.
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