Connect grill to home propane supply

[milkyway]

Hello,

Recently moved to a house that already has a propane supply in the deck (please see attached pics), it says "175G Valve 1/2 Inch".
I need help finding a fitting that would connect to this propane pipe and the black dial connector (see third pic) that's on my grill.

Apologies for the lack of correct terminologies.

Please let me know what are my options and what fitting/connector (size) should I get.

Also, do I need a licensed professional to do this job?

In general, is it a good idea to use propane this way or should I just continue using the portable 20 lbs tank?

Thank you in advance!

 

[Mitchell-DIY-Guy]

Hello--are you SURE that the stub off coming out of your deck is PROPANE? You should know if you have NG (natural gas) or LP (propane; liquid petroleum gas) at your home by the presence of a gas meter on the outside of your home in the case of NG, or a large bullet shaped propane tank somewhere in your yard.

If your grill has only the 3rd photo--then it's a propane grill and w/o conversion cannot connect to NG.

If you have determined that YES you have a propane tank running to that stub off, then what you need is an adapter. The part that goes into the shutoff will be a ½" MPT, and the other end will be an "Acme" thread for the hose in the photo. I have not seen the adapter in ½" MPT which would thread directly into that shut off valve, but I have seen ¼" MPT. All that means is you need a ½" bushing.
The adapters are at Amazon, and you may find them locally at a grill supply store or a propane house.

 

[milkyway]

Thank you so much, super helpful!

Yes it's propane; we have an underground 325 gallons propane tank and that's the only gas supply (sorry forgot to mention).

Also, you're correct, I am only able to find 1/4" Male Pipe Thread propane connect with Acme thread on the other end, at Amazon. Can you please let me know if the following items (links) work?

Male Pipe Thread Propane Quick Connect

Bushing

Gas line seal tape

THANK YOU!

 

[Mitchell-DIY-Guy]

Yes looks like you got it all. My own personal choice is using a lite swipe of thread sealant in addition to the tape. Tighten it all up, check for leaks with soapy water…

 

[Twowaxhack]

Try to find 1/2”mip x acme thread. No bushings allowed on gas. Bell reducers only.

Check your pressures…..

 

[milkyway]

Try to find 1/2”mip x acme thread. No bushings allowed on gas. Bell reducers only.

Check your pressures…..

Thank you. I was not able to find any 1/2" mip x acme thread online. Will go to Lowes later and look for.
Is there any other easier way to utilize the "175G Valve 1/2 Inch" propane supply?

Thank you

 

[MicEd69]

The "connector" to an LPG tank, that big black plastic thing with brass internals, should be screwed into the pressure regulator with 1/4" NPT. You can simply remove that "connector" and screw a 1/4" pipe nipple into the regulator. Then screw a 1/2" pipe nipple into your valve, and as Twowaxhack said, you will need a bell reducer to connect those two pipe nipples together. I would use brass fittings for this application.

 

[breplum]

Bushings are not allowed on gas in "inaccessable" locations. Exposed they are fine.

 

[Mitchell-DIY-Guy]

Ok just use a small brass ½” pipe nipple. You can get one like the photo or longer if you choose. Screw into your valve.

Than a brass reducer. ½”-¼”. Like the photo.

Then you can use that Acme thread adapter. As you discovered, I couldn’t find one with ½” MPT threads. Doesn’t mean they don’t exist but they are hiding.

Should not have a problem finding these parts, in brass, black iron or stainless steel.

 

[TomFOhio]

Where I live Columbia Gas would not allow a bushing in the line anywhere. They will make you tear it
out and replace it.

 

[Twowaxhack]

Bushings are not allowed on gas in "inaccessable" locations. Exposed they are fine.

Can’t use them here on gas period. It’ gets red tagged even at the meter outside.

 

[Twowaxhack]

I would check the pressure before I did anything.

1/4” fittings would typically be used on high pressure.

At 11” W.C. I doubt it would flow enough gas to run the grill at full capacity.

 

[Mitchell-DIY-Guy]

It’s a propane system not NG. Pressure in a tank can be 100-200 psi before regulation. Of course y’all know that the end of that gas line from the grill with the big black Acme fitting has a regulator on it.

If in doubt check with the propane supplier. I am sure they do this all the time and can answer the original posters questions.

 

[Twowaxhack]

The pressure in the pipe with the 1/2” valve is unknown right now.

I suggest checking the pressure before anything else is done.

Anytime you’re working with gas it’s a good idea to check the pressure of the line and the pressure requirements of the appliance.

That goes for natural or propane.

Just a few days ago I had a water heater that wouldn’t fire off, pilot ran fine. I checked the gas pressure and it was 33” W.C..

About 4-5times what it should’ve been.

 

[Mitchell-DIY-Guy]

Here’s the simple solution where the guy converted his propane grill to using quick connect fittings. He did this, so he could use a small 20 pound propane tank when he needed the grill to be portable, or using another line, connected to the house, propane..

As @Twowaxhack said pressure is critical. Note in the video that there is a regulator right where the guy has the fittings for connecting to the grill..



In the video he uses a combination of flare fittings, and quick release fittings.. I think most people who have a gas grill connected to their house gas system, be it propane, or natural, will use some form of quick connect fitting.