As a general rule, a propane grill is not safe for indoor use, as carbon monoxide buildup can result, and gas leaks from the tank can release deadly gas not detected by carbon monoxide detectors. Also, because grills give off more heat than ovens, and are less insulated, they can create a fire hazard.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that you can’t use a natural gas grill with a propane grill, and vice versa, because gas orifices are sized differently to accommodate the different pressures of each gas.

While natural gas BBQs have more upfront costs, natural gas is a cheaper fuel than propane. Natural gas can be as much as one-sixth of the cost of propane. On the flip side, it’s ideal to have at least two propane tanks on hand so you always have a backup supply of propane.

Natural gas grills are considered to be just as safe as propane grills and in most cases safer than charcoal grills. Propane is safer than coal but there’s a risk of fire or explosion. Poorly maintained propane tanks and gas lines are more likely to fail over time, so the risk increases every grilling season.

While propane has more power, more than twice the BTU power of natural gas, grills are designed to release less propane into the burner than natural gas. The orifice holes for propane are much smaller than those for natural gas.

So why is this grill more expensive? The reason is the hose and fitting that run from the grill to the connection in your house. The unit usually comes with a longer hose and quick disconnect fitting compared to the propane unit.

Top Natural Gas Grills 2021

• DCS Series 7 36-Inch Natural Gas Grill.
• Summerset TRL 38-Inch Natural Gas Grill.
• Blaze Prelude LBM 32-Inch 4-Burner Natural Gas Grill.
• Napoleon Prestige PRO 500 Natural Gas Grill.
• Weber Genesis II S-435 Natural Gas Grill.
• Weber Genesis II SE-335 Natural Gas Grill.

Propane also burns hotter than natural gas (2500 BTU’s vs 1000 BTUs), which some grilling purists believe is one of the most important factors to keep in mind. Propane is considered to be environmentally-friendly because there’s no lead, has low GHG emissions and produces water vapor and carbon dioxide.

Make sure your grill is designed for dual fuel and able to run off of natural gas. Not every propane grill can use natural gas, so be sure to consult your owner’s manual.

The reason for this increase in price point is the fitting and hose that runs from the gas grill to your home. The natural gas grills typically come with longer hoses and a fast disconnect fitting as compared to those of the propane gas grill.

Conversion Requirements The biggest reason why is because barbecues that require LPG run completely differently than items that use the natural gas in your home gas line. You cannot connect your barbecue to your natural gas line without doing some sort of complicated conversion.

Weber Barbecue Grills Can Be Converted To Natural Gas or to Liquid Propane Fuel For Cooking. Although Weber does not permit gas conversions any longer the policy does not make the process any less simple than it has always been.

Works with mains gas plumbed to the house and connects via bayonet fitting – Does not work with bottled gas of any type. A barbecue perfect for all situations? Look no further than the Weber Q2200. Large enough to cater for family and friends, and economical enough to cook just for you!

Natural gas orifices are larger than propane, to allow extra fuel to flow through at lower pressure. Propane orifices are smaller, to account for the higher pressure and increased energy output.

Propane is usually more expensive than natural gas, but the same amount produces about twice as much heat. In some areas, natural gas is more economical, and in others, propane costs less. Both types of fuel are more efficient and less expensive than electricity in many regions.

Costs. The costs of conversion can really add up. But with the price of natural gas being at least one-third less than that of propane, the switch may pay for itself within enough time to make the investment worth it. Most natural gas companies have calculators on their websites to help you estimate costs.