Q220 LPG to NG conversion


 
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DavidR8

New member
I have a Q220 that I want to convert to NG. There are no kits available.
On my deck I have a NG connection that is fed by a line with a 2PSIG regulator. The Q220 has a 12,000 BTU burner and all the research seems to indicate that I need an orifice with #50 size hole.
I also read a post here that converting a Q200/220 is easy and well documented. I have searched the forum and the internet in general but found nothing.
 
2 PSI on NG is blowtorch territory. You are reading something TERIBLY wrong. Normal working pressure is 7"WC which is MAYBE about .3 PSI (1/3 PSI). The Qs are easy to convert but ONLY if you know what you're doing.
This is not meant to be "mean" or anything. But messing with flammable gasses when you don't even know what true working pressures are and or should be can get yourself hurt or cause severe damage
 
LMichaels said:
2 PSI on NG is blowtorch territory. You are reading something TERIBLY wrong. Normal working pressure is 7"WC which is MAYBE about .3 PSI (1/3 PSI). The Qs are easy to convert but ONLY if you know what you're doing.
This is not meant to be "mean" or anything. But messing with flammable gasses when you don't even know what true working pressures are and or should be can get yourself hurt or cause severe damage
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Here's a photo of the outlet. The regulator clearly says 2PSIG.
Given that the pressure coming into my home is likely 7"WC, what would be the point of this regulator if the pressure would never reach 2SPIG?
zCedNtE4.jpg

And this is the reg on my NG furnace.
d_lRDVCQ.jpg

And the regulator on the gas meter.
XiX-2psm.jpg
 
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That does not mean it's the output operating pressure. Most NG regulators only output 3-4 inches water column max though some depending on application will output 7" WC. That is the maximum "safe" input pressure it "can take". You need to find out what pressure is being output by that regulator. Get a plumber or gas fitter there. Explain to them what you want to do
 
DavidR8 said:
I have a Q220 that I want to convert to NG. There are no kits available.
On my deck I have a NG connection that is fed by a line with a 2PSIG regulator. The Q220 has a 12,000 BTU burner and all the research seems to indicate that I need an orifice with #50 size hole.
I also read a post here that converting a Q200/220 is easy and well documented. I have searched the forum and the internet in general but found nothing.
Click to expand...
A lot of people on this forum have deleted the Q2xx propane regulator and converted to a propane regulator hose assembly to use 20lb tanks here in North America. At 12000 btus a 20 lb tank will last a long time. Costs about $30 to convert.

Weber sells a Q2xx natural gas model in Australia but not North America.
 
BPratt said:
A lot of people on this forum have deleted the Q2xx propane regulator and converted to a propane regulator hose assembly to use 20lb tanks here in North America. At 12000 btus a 20 lb tank will last a long time. Costs about $30 to convert.

Weber sells a Q2xx natural gas model in Australia but not North America.
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I'm running off a 20lb tank now but still using the original regulator and an adapter hose. Works alright but I find the temp a bit anemic. Would love a bit more heat.
 
DavidR8 said:
I'm running off a 20lb tank now but still using the original regulator and an adapter hose. Works alright but I find the temp a bit anemic. Would love a bit more heat.
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Same here, you just need to open the tank valve slowly. Burp it at first.
 
DavidR8 said:
I'm running off a 20lb tank now but still using the original regulator and an adapter hose. Works alright but I find the temp a bit anemic. Would love a bit more heat.
Click to expand...
A couple folks have done the built in regulator delete as a write up. IIRC Bruce is one who was nice enough to do so. It's cheap and easy to do. As is doing a conversion to NG. I converted a Q320 to NG and it worked like a total champ. But, again I've made sure of my pressures, then sized orifices carefully to the pressure supplied here.
 
DavidR8 said:
I'm running off a 20lb tank now but still using the original regulator and an adapter hose. Works alright but I find the temp a bit anemic. Would love a bit more heat.
Click to expand...
I think upgrading to a regular propane regulator for a 20lb tank will definitely help.

I would be remiss in saying, however, that the middle size Qs (200/2000 series) are sometimes considered the weak sister of the three sizes of Q grills. I had one and was very happy with it, but it did not get as hot as the Q100 I had later and certainly not as hot as the Q3200 I also once had. It is notable that in its newest revision, Weber is now offering a more powerful Q2800N+ that has a second inner burner similar to the large Q3200. That suggests to me, at least, that Weber was trying to address the high temperature capabilities of the mid-size version.
 
I am going to pick up the necessary parts to do the 'regulator delete' and see if that addresses the heat issue I have.
That said, when I told my wife that converting the Q220 to NG was not straight-forward she said "why don't you treat yourself to a new grill?"
Gotta love that!
 
Wow that's pretty cool! I don't ever expect to hear those words from my wife:ROFLMAO:

Well, I got to see a new Q2800N+ back in May when I went to Kansas City. I really like this new Q other than the kind of flimsy side tables. I would bet it is a very capable cooker!

IMG_7829.JPEG
 
Lets remember the "boss" said "why not a new grill?" Assuming the desire to use NG ight as well go big or go home :D Maybe a NG Genesis or Spirit derivative? Who knows? Maybe even a new generation Summit? Now THAT would be killer. Or maybe it doesn't even have to be a Weber? There are lots of fine products out there. Napoleon being an outstanding product. And thanks to having a rotisserie burner PLUS an outstanding IR Searing/side burner at a price very competitive to the Genesis and with a better warranty to boot. It's fun to spend someone else's money
 
LMichaels said:
Lets remember the "boss" said "why not a new grill?" Assuming the desire to use NG ight as well go big or go home :D Maybe a NG Genesis or Spirit derivative? Who knows? Maybe even a new generation Summit? Now THAT would be killer. Or maybe it doesn't even have to be a Weber? There are lots of fine products out there. Napoleon being an outstanding product. And thanks to having a rotisserie burner PLUS an outstanding IR Searing/side burner at a price very competitive to the Genesis and with a better warranty to boot. It's fun to spend someone else's money
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It will likely be a Napoleon as they make a nice sized 3-burner that would fit my space.
 
I did the regulator delete and while it did improve things I still had poor lighting so I drilled out the orifice with a #53 drill and that really woke the grill up. Reaches 500 degrees in five minutes and 600 degrees in seven minutes.
I think I'll clean it up and sell it after I decide on which new grill I want.
 
You should never have to feel a need to open up an orifice. If that is what it "woke it up" and made it perform to design then there was something wrong with it in the first place. Never try to "fix" an issue by creating another liability. You should not have had to do that.
 
Then something else was wrong. My own Q2xx and another I gave to my oldest daughter would get right up there. I am always a proponent of if something is not right you fix the problem not "mod" around it. Because then you don't know what the issue was in the first place.
 
The real question is ---- why the HELL do you need a Q to get to 500+?????? Thats 'scorched and turned to leather in 2 minutes of not paying attention' temps. I get beautiful sears at <450 --- more like 400-425 all the time --- I just don't see why you would need more temp...... other than 'you can'. I run my Q at 1/4-1/3 open when I'm cooking. What the hell are you guys doing???? I'm confused.
 
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