Question about converting from propane to natural gas


 
G

GTNewton

New member
I just changed the orifices to supposedly correct ones to convert my 2024 Weber Spirit model EP-425 grill from propane to natural gas.
The holes in the orifices looked a little larger but only a little larger. The burner flames are now smaller with natural gas than they were with propane so the grill is not getting as hot.
Does the Venturi on each burner need to be adjusted when you convert from propane to natural gas?
Can adjusting the venturis give the burners a larger flame?
 
You cannot SAFELY or properly convert a Weber grill with orifices. People selling those so called "kits" should be hung by their toes. The ONLY proper way to change fuel on a Weber product is a full manifold swap. Nothing less
 
LMichaels said:
You cannot SAFELY or properly convert a Weber grill with orifices. People selling those so called "kits" should be hung by their toes. The ONLY proper way to change fuel on a Weber product is a full manifold swap. Nothing less
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Thanks. Are you positive the manifold is different for this model Weber grille?
 
GTNewton said:
Thanks. Are you positive the manifold is different for this model Weber grille?
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Yes. It's something Weber does other companies don't. If you catch on that I don't like that you're correct. Other companies make it as simple swapping on main metering orifice, and the hose and you're done. Many even include the necessary items to perform the changeover as well
 
I checked the parts lists and the burners are also a different part number. :oops:
What could be the difference in the burners?
I’m going to check with Weber on the prices of the manifold and the burners.
But if they are too expensive I’m not going to change them. I’ll drill out the orifices just a little more :cool:
 
GTNewton said:
They work but may need some “adjustments” :rolleyes:
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There is no "adjustment" and if you believe that I got some swamp land I can sell you. The issue is the valves not the orifices and without doing correctly the grill could actually become dangerous. Especially if you're trying to go to a lower heat. The burners can partially "flame out", meantime gas is flowing yet but not being burned. Then you open the lid and get a dangerous "flashover". Do yourself a favor and your family. Buy the correct manifold and do it correctly
 
LMichaels said:
There is no "adjustment" and if you believe that I got some swamp land I can sell you. The issue is the valves not the orifices and without doing correctly the grill could actually become dangerous. Especially if you're trying to go to a lower heat. The burners can partially "flame out", meantime gas is flowing yet but not being burned. Then you open the lid and get a dangerous "flashover". Do yourself a favor and your family. Buy the correct manifold and do it correctly
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So the different manifold is all I now need to have it work the same as it did with propane?
 
Steve Hoch said:
The manifold and if the NG version of your grill was so equipped, an inline regulator.
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There is no regulator on the natural gas model EP-425.

Are you positive that the control valves in the natural gas manifold are different than the control valves in the propane manifold?
Or are the manifolds the same except they have different orifices?
 
GTNewton said:
There is no regulator on the natural gas model EP-425.
Click to expand...

Yes, you are right. Here's the schematic and there is no regulator listed.

Weber Grill Schematics | Weber Grill Models

Weber Schematics - browse product schematics and part lists by entering a serial number, description, or by selecting a product family.
www.weber.com www.weber.com

GTNewton said:
Are you positive that the control valves in the natural gas manifold are different than the control valves in the propane manifold?
Or are the manifolds the same except they have different orifices?
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Based on everything I've seen on weber grills, I'm 90% sure different valves are used and it is more than just a manifold.

Here are two valve cones from otherwise identical 2016 Genesis E330s.

NG runs at lower pressures and needs larger passageways. The orifice is only the end-of-the link limiter. The valve body controls the rest.

1764651055075.png

If you wish you can read through the entire thread here:


DanHoo

Thread 'E330 NG and LP manifold and valve side by side comparison'

I finally found an original 2016 Genesis E330 LP manifold for a fair price. AR date code.

Last year I converted my E330 NG to LP using orifices and a regulator as I could not find a manifold in stock anywhere. It is also a 2016 AR date code.

I have the original NG orifices and hose from my E330NG. I had given them away but they were never used so I have them once again.

My plan is to compare the two manifolds and valves and orifices side by side including the internals.

Notes:

1. There is already an excellent post documenting valve differences. There is a great deal of...
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LMichaels said:
Yeah IIRC someone actually compared them and found no difference. A burner is not what "decides" fuel type. It only burns what is properly metered into it.
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Might have been me. The one lying across is LP. The one underneath installed is natural gas. These are both from otherwise identical 2016 Genesis E330s

1764651264409.png

Left is NG, right is LPG.


1764651331409.png
 
GTNewton said:
There is no regulator on the natural gas model EP-425.

Are you positive that the control valves in the natural gas manifold are different than the control valves in the propane manifold?
Or are the manifolds the same except they have different orifices?
Click to expand...
If the valves were the same then your orifice swap would have been successful. They aren't though, you are going to need a NG manifold. Anything less and you're risking your safety as well as anyone else that may be around the grill. I'm all for self inflicted stupidity, but I draw the line at risking family or friends. Return the conversion kit and either buy a proper manifold or sell the grill and get one that is set up for natural gas.
 
Just this spring I sold a propane Genesis Gold to a man that I had restored. He contacted me a couple of days later and said that it wasn't getting very hot. It turned out after asking some questions that he hooked it up to natural gas. I told him that wasn't going to work properly and offered to convert it for him the right way. I drove out to his house with the proper NG manifold and converted it for him free of charge. He was very happy although he still couldn't wrap his head around the fact that the manifold itself was very different. He was a younger man than I with two little kids so I was happy to fix it for him. I just took back the propane manifold and tank scale so I could convert a NG grill in the future should the need arise.
 
Steve Hoch said:
If the valves were the same then your orifice swap would have been successful. They aren't though, you are going to need a NG manifold. Anything less and you're risking your safety as well as anyone else that may be around the grill. I'm all for self inflicted stupidity, but I draw the line at risking family or friends. Return the conversion kit and either buy a proper manifold or sell the grill and get one that is set up for natural gas.
Click to expand...

Will Weber sell the natural gas manifold to me if my grill is a propane one?
Will the new natural gas manifold come with orifices? The orifices aren’t listed on the schematic.

Also, what high temperature on the gauge should my Weber EP-425 grill be getting up to?
 
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