www.askthebuilder.com/574_Gas_Grills.shtml

Bot review

Gas Grills

Need Help? Type Your Keywords Here:

@import url(www.google.com/cse/api/branding.css);

(examples: drywall repair, pilot light goes out, poor lot drainage, crown molding guide, etc.)

Custom Search

VIDEO

Bathrooms Videos

Kitchens Videos

New Construction Videos

Outdoor Videos

Remodeling Videos

DVDs

KITCHENS

Cabinets

Countertops

Design

Flooring

Lighting

Ventilation

BATHROOMS

Ceramic Tile

Plumbing Design

Plumbing Supplies

Showers

REMODELING

Caulk

Ceilings

Crown Molding

DIY

Doors

Drywall - Plaster

Glue

Hardware

Home Depot Stories

Home Repair

Miscellaneous

Painting - Staining

Projects

Radiant Barrier

Specialty Accessories

Storage

Wallpaper

NEW CONSTRUCTION

Air Conditioning

Brick

Building Tips

Condensation

Electrical

Energy Savings

Engineered Wood

Fireplaces

Foundation

Heating Design

Home Builders

Home Security

House Plans

Inspections

Insulation

Interior Walls

Mold

Payments

Rough Lumber

Structural

Tools

Trim Lumber

Vapor Barrier

Walk Throughs

Windows

OUTDOOR

Asphalt - Blacktop

Chimneys

Concrete Defects

Concrete Installation

Deck Construction

Deck Maintenance

Drainage

Fences

Garage Doors

Hurricanes

Insects

Lots

Outdoor Projects

Patio

Retaining Walls

Roofing

Screened Porches

Sheds

Siding

Stone

Stucco - EIFS

NEWSLETTER

E-BOOKS

PROJECT CHECKLISTS

SHOP

ASK TIM

ABOUT TIM

#homeNews {
float:left;
width:965px;
border:1px solid #c2c2c2;
background:#e1e6ed;
padding:10px;
margin-bottom:30px;
}
#homeNewsVideo {
float:left;
background: green;
width:480px;
}
#homeNewsText {
float:left;
width:440px;
margin:10px 0 -40px 30px;
font-family: Arial, sans-serif;
}
#homeNewsText h1 {
font-size:xx-large;
margin:0 0 0px 0;
line-height: 1.0em;
}
#homeNewsText p {
font-size: medium;
line-height: 1.2em;
}
#homeNewsText p {
margin:10px 0;
}
#homeNewsText ul {
margin:15px 0 30px 0;
list-style: none;
width:400px;
}
#homeNewsText li {
margin:0;
width:400px;
padding:0 0 0 25px;
background: url(2.0/images/whiteball.png) no-repeat;
}
#homeNewsText form a {
color:#7f7f7f;
font-size: small;
}
#homeNewsText input.submit {
background:#4a71dd;
border:#fff solid 3px;
color:#fff;
font-weight: bold;
}

Need Help With Your Home?Here's the Solution.
Sign up for my free, weekly newsletter to get a handle on your home. Discover:

The best tools for your projects.
Time and money saving DIY tips.
Answers to homeowner's toughest questions.
Exclusive discounts on my products.

Name:

  
Email:

We respect your email privacy

OUTDOOR PROJECTS

Asphalt - Blacktop

Chimneys

Concrete Defects

Concrete Installation

Deck Construction

Deck Maintenance

Drainage

Fences

Garage Doors

Hurricanes

Insects

Lots

Outdoor Projects

Patio

Retaining Walls

Roofing

Screened Porches

Sheds

Siding

Stone

Stucco - EIFS

Gas Grills
By Tim Carter
©1993-2011 Tim Carter

  
Tweet
  
  
Summary:
Gas grills and bbq grills are very
popular. I love cooking on my own grill, even in cold weather. Gas grills can be
fueled with natural gas or propane. Each has advantages and disadvantages. Some
fire codes do not allow gas grills in multi-family housing.

DEAR TIM: My husband and I moved into a new condo that has a
balcony. We are allowed to install a gas grill, but don't know which type to
buy. On the wall immediately adjacent to the balcony is our mechanical and
laundry room. Both our water heater and clothes dryer that are in this room are
fueled with natural gas. Is it possible to extend the gas line through the
exterior wall for a grill? Or would it make better sense to purchase a gas grill
that has a tank of its own? Gina B., Chicago, IL

DEAR GINA: Who can resist the tantalizing aroma of steaming
vegetables and seared meat wafting from an outdoor grill on a relaxing afternoon
or evening? Evidently millions of people can't as barbecuing is a very popular
pastime. It is easy to become addicted to this relaxing cooking technique.

The gas grill is fueled with natural gas. The gas line extends into the house and connects to the main house line. This grill never runs out of fuel. PHOTO CREDIT: Tim Carter

I'll bet you and your husband will enjoy the flavorful food
so much, you will find yourselves outdoors this winter cooking while snowflakes
are swirling about you. I have my own natural gas grill and have barbequed
outdoors for many years. It is an enjoyable time and it is one of the few
cooking tasks I can do with a degree of confidence.
But before you go and buy a grill be absolutely certain a gas grill is
permitted in your apartment or condominium complex. Recent changes in the fire
code have placed certain conditions on the use of gas grills in multi-family
housing. It may be illegal to use one where you live. It is always best to
contact the fire prevention officer at your local fire department to get a
definitive answer.
Your decision over which grill to buy is not easy. There are quite a few
things you need to consider. The actual price of comparable propane vs. natural
gas grills is nearly identical in most markets, so the cost of the grill should
not weigh heavily in your decision. In your case, you need to obtain a quote
from a plumber to see what it will cost to extend a one-half inch approved gas
line branch out to the balcony.
Be sure the plumber quotes two small shutoff valves for this branch line. One
valve should be inside and the other one out on the balcony. The end of the line
should also have a quick-connect adapter which will automatically shut off the
flow of gas when the flexible gas line that connects to the grill is
disconnected. Be sure all local fire codes are followed to the letter.
The cost difference of the fuel for either grill is so small it also doesn't
matter as far as I am concerned. A standard propane cylinder holds just about 18
pounds of liquid propane and can fuel a grill with a total output of 36,000 Btus
for well over 12 hours if you have the burners set on medium. If you grill for
say 30 minutes or more each meal and cook outdoors 3 times a week, you may
discover you need a propane cylinder refill every two months.
A typical refill for a propane cylinder often costs less than $15.00. I know
it costs me very little to operate my natural gas grill each month. I estimate I
spend less than 15 cents each time I grill for my family. Neither option is very
expensive.

What you need to consider is how much you value your time and how convenient
it is to get a propane tank refilled. Will it be a struggle for you to lug a
filled propane cylinder on the train or bus back to your condo if you don't have
a car?
How long will it take to get one filled or exchanged if you visit a large
store that just sells propane as a sideline business? Will you run out of
propane in the middle of a cooking task? You can buy an extra propane cylinder
to have on hand for just this occasion, but if you are a procrastinator, you
will end up with two empty cylinders for sure at some future time.
I really feel the actual deciding factor will be the convenience factor of
getting propane refills. If it becomes a problem, you will regret not having
spent the money to cover the one-time cost to get the natural gas line extended
out onto the balcony. It probably is very attractive to buy the propane grill
now and have it working within an hour of arriving home. But try to imagine how
long you might stand in line to get that tank filled or how unhappy you might be
if you have to travel to different locations to find a dealer that has filled
propane cylinders that are in stock.
Not all natural gas lines can be extended. The plumber you hire needs to make
sure the line feeding the new branch has enough capacity. If the gas line
feeding the existing appliance near the balcony is only one-half inch diameter
or less, you may not have enough gas to feed both the grill, the water heater
and the clothes dryer.
It would be ideal if the gas service line feeding both the water heater and
clothes dryer was a pipe that had a one-inch inner diameter. The plumber could
then install a tee fitting off of this line that connects to a one-half inch
diameter pipe that would supply natural gas. The short distance from the
mechanical room to the balcony is also in your favor. If the pipe had to travel
a long distance, there would be a slight amount of friction loss that might
cause the grill to burn at a lower temperature if the water heater and clothes
dryer were consuming gas at the same time as you were roasting a nice plump
chicken!

Still Need Help? Type Your Keywords Here:

(examples: drywall repair, pilot light goes out, poor lot drainage, crown molding guide, etc.)

Your
Facebook friends would love to know how this column helped you solve
your problem. Type a quick comment of what you discovered here at
AsktheBuilder.com. Thanks!

Comments:
Welcome! I, Tim
Carter, don't answer questions
here. If you post a question here in the Comments Area,
perhaps another visitor will help you. You need to go to the Ask
Tim page if you want a question answered. Once there, look
closely at how many weeks behind we are. Please be patient as you use
this free service. If you have an emergency and need to talk to me,
there is an option there for you.

Carl
09 Dec 2007, 19:49

How do you install a tee on an existing 1/2 inch black pipe. I want to
install the tee about midway on an existing line. Is there a sompression
joint that one can use like with water pipes. Thanks
Carl

AsktheBuilder
10 Dec 2007, 07:20

Carl,
One of the safest ways is to back out the pipe from the end and then
install the tee. This is exactly why is all of my past black-iron jobs I
almost always installed tees as I went along. It was always my feeling
someone would really appreciate it. There are other ways to do what you
want, but many codes frown on them. I will not mention them here.

Judy
23 Apr 2008, 11:18

I work for a Genesee Valley Penny Saver and we are always trying to find
interesting fill. Would it be possible to use your comments in our Penny
Saver? We would of course give credit to you and use your name, etc. Please
let me know. You could visit our website to learn more about us if you are
interested in what kind of paper we are. gvpennysaver.com. Thank you for
your time.
Judy

Roland Hopkins
17 Feb 2009, 14:20

I think using gas as a fuel is a great way to lessen our carbon footprint.
Whether it's using it in your grill or if it's in our lawn tools
(www.golehr.com) They make a lawn trimmer that runs on those little green
propane tanks!

Frank
11 May 2009, 16:20

Where can I get 100 ft. of 3/4" plastic hose for the new grill gas
feed?---> The old corroded gas grill was replaced with a new stainless
one which requires a mostly 3/4" line instead of the existing of 3/8"
installation. Existing: 3/8" tee and valve off the 1" feed to the house to
metal tubing to the ground then changes to plastic hose underground for 100
ft. and comes up at grill. I want to merely replace the 3/8" hose with a
new 3/4" hose but can't find anyone who supplies this. Can you help?
Frank, Houston Texas

bs004447
17 Jul 2009, 22:08

This link tells you all the pros and cons. Nat Gas is much cheaper and is
always ready to be used, no refills.
www.outdoor-gas-bbq-grill.com/Propane-vs-Natural-Gas.html

Bernie
06 Jul 2010, 22:48

My rental house already is set up with a 3/4" black pipe out the back side
of the house. And my new Grill is already set for natural gas and has the
hose to connect to the pipe.
But the pipe is capped and I have bought the needed on/off valve and
adapter to connect the two. BUT I assume I NEED to shut off the gas before
I uncap the pipe ---- yes?
If so, where is the best place to shut it off??? The only place I see is at
the water heater. Please advise.
Thanks!
Bernie.

Mike
12 Jul 2010, 19:24

I have a 10 year old Weber running from a natural gas line. The line under
the grill looks to be copper and not flexible. The grill does not seem to
get as hot as it should. It tops out around 400 degrees. I notice a crimp
in the copper line closing it half way. Do you this this could be the cause
for the lack of BTU's. I have replaced all of the burners.
Thanks,

Dwyatt McClain
25 Jul 2010, 05:45

How far should my natural gas grill be from my house? Is two feet
sufficient?r

daniyel
06 Oct 2010, 20:23

Is there a gas grill available that can also be used as a heater when not
used for cooking?

     View all comments

*Name:

Email:

Notify me about new comments on this page
Hide my email

*Text:

Security Image:

Security Image Text:

 Remember, Tim Carter doesn't answer questions here in the comments. You need to go to the Ask Tim page.

 

RELATED ARTICLES

Firewood Storage Tips

If you can't afford an enclosure storage box for your firewood, try these simple tips...

Wood Rot Prevention and Repair

What is wood rot and how can you repair rotten wood? The type of lumber...

Brick Paver Repair Tips

The trick when repairing brick pavers is to get the replacement brick paver level and...

Window Box Installation Tips

A window box has to be properly anchored to your house. Flower boxes with soil,...

ARTICLE TOOLBOX
  Print

TIM'S BIOGRAPHY
ADVERTISE
ABOUT
PRESS ROOM

KITCHENS

BATHROOMS

REMODELING

NEW CONSTRUCTION

OUTDOOR

VIDEO

E-BOOKS

PROJECT CHECKLISTS

SHOP

ASK TIM

NEWSLETTER

PRIVACY POLICY

LEGAL

©1993-2011 Tim Carter

Do it right, not over!

close
Ask the Builder Comment Help
Thanks for stopping by! The Comments Section of my AsktheBuilder.com website is a place for you to share stories about how you've solved a similar problem at your home or carry on a conversation with other visitors. I tried, at the beginning, to be part of the conversation, but there were too many questions being asked and it was impossible for me to keep up and get my regular work finished each day.
If you want to ask me a direct question, you should go to the Ask Tim page of this website.
Helpful Comment Tips: If you need help with a problem, please try these things now
before you type in a comment. You could discover your answer in just minutes.

Read ALL Comments Before Submitting One: If there are lots of comments that are already
part of this column, there is a very good chance your question has already been answered by
me or someone else.
Read Similar-Titled Columns First: The column above is almost always part of a
two-or-three-part series. The answer to a question you may have is probably in a related
column or in comments that are part of that column.
Read Columns in a Category: Take the time to read many columns in a category.
The amount of information you will discover will amaze you.
SHARE a Story: Please share any tips or amusing tales of glory! Tell others what
has worked for you. Maybe you have a disaster you want to discuss. Let's collaborate so we all learn together.

Don't show this alert again.