Are you wondering, “can you use a gas stove with propane without buying a new stove?” The answer is “no,” you can’t use any natural gas stove with propane, but only if your stove is convertible, as stated by manufacturers. If they don’t allow you to convert it to propane, you must avoid doing any such experiment with your natural gas range.

If you try to use propane on your natural gas stove without converting it, the result will be extremely high flame which can be hard to control even on low settings; and it would be dangerous. Furthermore, you can only be successful in converting your stove to propane if it allows the conversion. Otherwise, you’ll waste your time.

So, in simple words, depending on your gas stove model, you can certainly convert it to propane. But how? This article will make the process simple for you besides guiding you with all precautions. 

What’s the Difference Between a Propane and Natural Gas Stove? Know first

Propane stoves are different from those run on natural gas. 

Usually, natural gas stoves are made to be installed and used only indoors. In contrast, propane stoves can be portable and, hence, can use the alternative fuel source of propane or butane. 

Similarly, the size of the gas supply orifices (known as nozzles or jets) depends on the fuel type. For instance, propane gas stoves have small orifices because the propane gas has a higher density to produce 2X BTUs.

In contrast, a natural gas stove needs large-sized orifices because of low pressure. Thus, the resultant higher pressure can be uncontrollable if supplied via large orifices as it is in Natural gas stoves.

Can You Use any Gas Stove with Propane?

No, not every natural gas stove is convertible to a liquid propane fuel source. Only stoves for which the manufacturers allow conversion can be safely converted to propane.

So, first, you should check whether your Natural gas range supports conversion to propane or not. Then you should be able to get the compatible conversion kit.

Can you Convert a Gas Stove to Propane Easily?

Honestly, conversion is not an easy task. Safety risks are always there. But nothing is impossible if you’re following the right steps, using the right tools and the required conversion kit. 

To help you convert your natural gas stove to propane successfully, we’ve described the complete process followed by a video tutorial. By following the procedure, you can hope to enjoy cooking on the heat produced through LP in your gas stove.

How Can You Convert a Gas Stove to Propane? Step-by-Step Guide.

Here is how you can convert a gas stove to propane.

1. Check compatibility for your natural gas stove

First, check your product manual to see if it allows conversion. If your product manual or guide is missing, look for it online.

Beware, in no way are you allowed to carry out the process if you don’t get information about the conversion permission from the manufacturers, for it can put your life and property at risk.

2. Get a conversion kit

You’ll need essential conversion components before converting your gas stove to propane. Luckily, these parts are available in local hardware stores in the form of conversion kits, or you can get them on Amazon. You simply have to tell/check the specifications of your gas stove and get the kit that works.

The good news is some stoves also include LPG conversion kits or mention where you can get theirs. You can check your stove’s specifications for that purpose or explore online stores to get a dedicated conversion kit for your model. Below, we’ve got you an example, yet make sure you pick up a conversion kit after checking its compatibility with your stove.

3. Disconnect the main supply

Turn off the natural gas supply so that you can safely do the procedure. Also, remove the stove’s top to expose the orifices sitting under the burner hoods. 

4. Remove the stovetop to discover the orifices and replace them

Not all natural gas stoves are the same. To replace orifices, you have to first discover them. They sit in the middle of each burner. So, remove the gas range hood or pan support, and lift the burner caps and burner heads to find that small metal orifice with a hole to maintain the fuel supply.

Now you have to replace the orifices for natural gas with those designed for propane. Natural gas burner orifices are slightly larger than propane gas burner orifices.

If you don’t know, a burner orifice hood is a brass nut sitting on the top of the burner’s connection.

You simply have to turn these orifice hoods anti-clockwise until they come loose. You can do this by using a half-inch wrench.

7. Regulate each burner to a minimum flow

Once you’ve replaced the orifices on your cooktop, it’s time to regulate the burners to a minimum flow, individually. To do this, remove the cook top’s top lid by unscrewing the lid and removing the control knobs.

Lift the lid with little effort, and you’ll find the gas regulator behind each knob. Insert a screwdriver behind the knob and move the screwdriver clockwise with one rotation or less. 

Make sure you get the even desired gas flow, which can only be checked by lighting your burner when you’ve connected it to the propane tank after completing all steps. If you find any need for readjustment, do it later.

To complete this step, place the lid and the control knobs again. 

4. Change the regulator settings

And finally, install the regulator by converting it to propane.

It’s essential to change the regulator’s settings from natural gas to propane to control the higher pressure of propane gas. You can turn your gas range into a flame thrower if you are not careful. 

To do this, remove the tap cap from the regulator’s top. Inside the regular section, you will see a plunger. Simply turn that conversion plug upside down. Make sure to screw back the tap cap tightly to avoid leaks. 

8. Connect the propane tank with the stove

Feel relieved because you are almost done converting your gas stove to propane. The last and one of the simplest steps is connecting your gas range with a propane tank. 

Just make sure that everything is snug and safe. Check all the connections carefully and look for signs of leakage. 

Check all the nuts and connections before placing the cover of the gas range. Once everything is in place, ignite the burners and check the level of flame. Don’t worry if you feel that the flame is higher or lower. 

9. Make the final inspection

Simply adjust it by loosening or tightening the nut behind the knob. Don’t forget to check the level of flames in the oven. To level these flames, adjust the thermostat behind the central knob.

Exclusive Safety Tips to Use Gas Stove to Propane

Conversion of a gas stove to propane is not a duck soup, and you should understand this. Here are some tips to keep you safe during and after the conversion:

• Most importantly, you should ensure that the main gas supply is completely shut off after the conversion. Also, during the conversion, don’t forget to verify that your main supply is completely disconnected.

• Get advice from a professional. If you have not done such a task in the past, you should consult with a professional. Here, someone with a technical background in dealing with gas appliances is perfect. If you can’t find someone in your circle, contact your local Ferrellgas office to connect with a service technician. 

• Another point that you shouldn’t ignore is the importance of checking the compatibility of your appliance. Although most gas stoves allow this conversion, some manufacturers limit their products to one source. It’ll not only save you time and resources but will also keep you safe from potential hazards.  

What Happens if You Use Propane on a Natural Gas Stove without Conversion?

“You can’t directly attach your LP cylinder to your natural gas range without any conversion.” Right? Why is it so?

Propane and natural gas both have different densities and demand different pressure: LP needs to have a higher pressure, while natural gas needs low pressure. That’s why propane gas needs smaller orifices, and, in contrast, natural gas needs larger orifices to flow toward the burner and produce heat safely. If you don’t care about the proper conversion or choosing the right size of orifices, the result can be:

• A flame that is not only higher but uncontrollable enough to cause a fire in your kitchen;
• The propane tank blew out;
• Fuel ending in no time due to heavy flow;
• Leakage of propane gas and toxic and flammable carbon monoxide filled indoors.

Hence, conversion is unavoidable if you wish to run your natural gas stove on propane safely.

How Much Would it Cost You to Use a Gas Stove with Propane?

The cost of converting a gas stove to propane can range between $150 to $500. 

How? 

Usually, the conversion kit doesn’t cost you more than $50, but you have to invest extra money:

• Get a $30-110 pressure regulator if your natural gas stove needs a dedicated one. In most cases, natural gas stoves have convertible pressure regulators that allow you to switch your unit to propane by simply raising the lid and turning the plunger over. Yet, if your gas stove doesn’t have a convertible regulator, then you’ll need to buy it. 

• Burner orifices are not complex components. They’re simple, oblong metal parts with a hole. Yet, they can cost you nearly $5-70, depending on the brand type.

• Next, you need an air shutter with a large opening to draw in more air for the combustion of propane that needs more oxygen. It’ll cost you a few dollars.

• Lastly, you need to pay the professional gas fitter who will convert your natural gas stove to propane. He can charge you anywhere between $150 and $300. 

It can seem costly. Yet doing the process yourself can be risky when you don’t know the ABC of doing such tasks.

FAQs

What are the benefits of converting a gas stove to propane?

If the idea of using your natural gas stove occurs to you, several factors can motivate you to benefit. A few have been mentioned below.

• Being of higher density and pressure, propane produces more energy by spending less. Thus, propane is far more efficient. No doubt, natural and propane gases are equally hot reaching 3,560 degrees Fahrenheit. Yet, density affects the ultimate heat outcome. Propane also gets you 2500 BTUs as compared with the Natural gas’ 1000 BTUs, with the same fuel quantity.
• A propane stove is easy to use outdoors and equally safer for indoors. In addition, it’s more environmentally friendly as it’s lead-free.
• If you cook a lot of recipes, you might not tolerate the low pressure of natural gas, and in such a case, only propane fuel can deliver you the best.

In short, using your range with propane is more peace of mind in terms of time, energy, and cost.

Is propane cheaper than natural gas?

It depends upon the prices of these fuels in your area. Double the propane price and check if it is lower than the propane price. If the cost is lower than natural gas, it will be more cost-efficient for you. 

It’s because propane is 2 times more efficient than natural gas. So, it’s simple math that if two gallons of natural gas are worth less than one gallon of propane, then natural gas is cheaper.  

Likewise, if two gallons of natural gas costs more than one gallon of propane, propane is cheaper.

What are the disadvantages of using propane on a gas stove?

Although the advantages of propane are much more than its disadvantages, you should be fully aware. 

• The most significant disadvantage of propane is the safety concerns that come with its connection. 
• Propane is stored in tanks in the form of a liquid. To keep propane in liquid form, the pressure inside those tanks is quite high. Hence, a slight hit to the tank can make it explode. The situation can get worse if there is a fire source nearby. The fuel will catch fire immediately, which can cause disasters. 
• Another disadvantage of propane is that it needs to be delivered to your house. Unlike natural gas, a truck loaded will come to your home to fill the tanks. It makes propane a less reliable source of fuel. 

What size orifices should you choose to convert the natural gas stove to propane?

The orifices are available in different sizes. And, o course, you’ve to pick the smaller size according to your propane fuel flow maintenance. Yet, you must consider these things about your stove:

• Brand, model, and serial number to guide you in choosing the relevant conversion kit,
• The installation site’s altitude affects the oxygen density, and you have to choose the right orifice’s opening size because the gas input will be sow by 4% per 1000 feet altitude. As a rule of thumb, an office with 0.082 inches or drill size 45 will be fine.

You don’t need to worry at this point, for when you pick the compatible conversion kit, it’ll come with the right orifices to support the propane conversion.

Can a dual fuel stove run on propane?

Yes, you can use propane on a dual fuel stove. 

Yet, before answering this question in detail, we want you to understand the concept of a dual fuel stove. Dual fuel stoves use two different sources of heat. For instance, they come in a gas and electricity combination. 

One thing to note here is that you can switch the source of the entire system with a button in these ranges. Rather, you get a combination of an electric stove and a gas oven or vice versa. The gas used in such ranges can be either propane or natural gas. 

Is converting your natural gas stove to propane safe?

Converting a gas stove to propane is entirely safe if you follow the guidelines strictly. Make sure that you double-check your connections before leaving the area.

If you don’t feel confident, don’t hesitate to call a professional. 

Final Thoughts

Most people who are impressed by the benefits of propane often ask, “Can you use a gas stove with propane?”. This post shows that you can easily convert a gas stove to propane by following simple guidelines. 

Most importantly, the purpose of this article was to guide you to do this procedure by yourself. The process is quite simple and mainly involves tightening and loosening some nuts in the range. 

The safety tips section added below the conversion steps will help you avoid any kind of mishap. Moreover, some commonly asked questions about this topic are also answered in this thread. 

We hope that you have finally found what you were looking for.