A whole world of grilled food awaits when installing a natural gas grill in your backyard. The only question is, what size gas line do you need?
Installing a natural gas grill is the perfect way to upgrade your backyard barbecue experience.
They come in all shapes and sizes, but they also offer tons of features that propane grills can’t touch.
The only question is, what size gas line do you need for your new grill? Keep reading to find out.
What Size of Pipe Do I Need For Natural Gas Grill?
If you’re considering using natural gas in your home, one of the first questions you’ll need to answer is what size pipe you need for natural gas?
The answer will depend on several factors, including the appliances you’re using and the amount of gas you expect to use.
Generally speaking, most homes will require a 1/2-inch pipe for natural gas. This is adequate for most appliances, including furnaces, water heaters, and stoves.
If you’re using multiple appliances or expect to use a lot of gas, you may need a larger pipe.
For example, a home with a furnace and a stove may require a 3/4-inch pipe.
It’s also important to note that pipes come in different types. The most common type of pipe for natural gas is black steel pipe.
However, there are also options like copper pipe and flexible tubing.
Your choices will depend on your budget and the installation requirements.
Why Choose Natural Gas Grill?
Convenience
There are many reasons to choose a natural gas grill over other types of grills. For one thing, it’s a lot more convenient.
You don’t have to worry about running out of propane in the middle of cooking or lugging heavy tanks around.
You can hook up your grill directly to your home’s natural gas line, so you’ll never worry about refilling it.
And if you ever do run out of gas, simply turn off the valve and relight it when you’re ready to start grilling again.
Affordability
Natural gas grills are very affordable. They might cost more to purchase up front, but they also cost less to operate. In addition, natural gas grills are very easy to use.
You have to turn on the gas and light the burner – no Charcoal to mess with. Natural gas grills are also very durable. With proper care, they can last for many years.
Environmental Impacts
Switching to natural gas for your grill is one way you can help the environment.
You may not think that your grill has much impact, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency estimates that the average household using a propane grill emits about nine pounds of carbon dioxide each year.
That might not seem like much, but it adds up when you consider more than 100 million households in the United States.
On the other hand, natural gas is a cleaner-burning fuel, and grilling with it can reduce your carbon footprint.
Things to Know About a Natural Gas Grill
Fittings
When it comes to gas lines, a few different types of fittings can be used.
However, it is important to use straight pipe nipples for natural gas grills instead of flare fittings.
Flare fittings rely on a tight seal to function properly, but this seal can be broken easily, leading to gas leaks.
Straight pipe nipples, on the other hand, create a much more secure connection. In addition, they are easier to install and require less maintenance over time.
As a result, straight pipe nipples are the best option for gas lines, whether used for a grill or any other purpose.
Water Column Pressure
Natural gas grills are a grill that uses natural gas instead of charcoal or propane.
These grills are designed with a specific water column pressure (WCP). The WCP is the amount of pressure required to push the water through the grill’s burner.
Natural gas grills typically have a WCP of 10 and 12 inches of water column pressure.
This range is ideal for cooking with natural gas because it provides enough pressure to keep the flame from going out but not too much pressure that it will cause the food to cook unevenly.
If the WCP is too low, the flame will extinguish itself; if the WCP is too high, the food will be cooked unevenly.
Because of this, it is important to make sure that the natural gas grill you purchase is designed for use with the correct WCP for your area.
Shut Off Valve
Most homes in the United States that use natural gas for heating also have a natural gas grill. And like any appliance that uses gas, there is always the risk of a gas leak.
That’s why it’s important to know where your grill’s shut-off valve is located. The shut-off valve is a small handle that controls gas flow to the grill.
It’s usually located near the grill base, and it’s often red. If you smell gas while your grill is turned on or see flames coming from the burner, immediately turn off the valve.
Then call your local utility company to report the leak. Never try to repair a gas leak yourself.
Only a certified technician should perform this type of work.
Final Word
A homeowner should consult with their local gas company to determine the size of gas line needed for their home before purchasing a natural gas grill.
But what size gas line you need for a natural gas grill usually depends on the BTUs of your grill.
The standard diameter for a residential natural gas service line is 3/4 inch, but it may be necessary to upgrade to a 1-inch line depending on the household’s needs.
It is important to have the correct size gas line installed to avoid potential problems and ensure the safe and efficient operation of the grill.
