Outdoor Propane

[Juice7893]

What do I need to put on the outdoor propane line to be able use it for a grill? Right now it just has the metal pipe with metal cap threaded on.

[JohnB]

Hi Juice,

I'll explain the gas pressures in case you are unsure about the differences between the camper and grills/stoves available.

The LP metal gas pipe with the cap is a low-pressure gas port—low pressure, meaning 11" of WC (water column) or 0.4 psi gas pressure. The 2-stage tank regulators create this low pressure as all the inside gas appliances need that low pressure. This low-pressure port works with a rated outside stove or grill and is to be used in low-pressure settings.

A somewhat normal stand-alone BBQ grill that runs off a 20# LP gas cylinder many times has a single-stage gas regulator on the hose end that screws on the tank many. These high-pressure devices operate on 5 to 7 psi gas pressure, which is much time higher than the low-pressure port.

For the gas appliance to work correctly, you will need to make sure it is rated for low pressure when tying it into the camper gas pipe with the cap on it. If you hook a high-pressure grill to a low-pressure supply, the grill will not get very hot as the system is sized to think it is getting a higher-pressure gas supply. And, if you hook a low-pressure appliance up to a high-pressure supply, this is a safety issue. You can damage the LP gas hose if it is rated for low pressure running high pressure, and the stove will overheat and may flame up. This is a safety issue to not do by accident.

The hose to which you connect the gas appliance must also be rated for LP or natural gas. Often, to work on low-pressure gas, this hose is called a vapor hose and may only be rated to a few PSI as the pressure is under 0.5 psi. Here, you can use a high-pressure gas-rated hose; it costs more and may be stiffer.

Once you sort the above out, using an LP or natural gas-rated quick disconnect is commonly done to replace the 1/2" pipe cap. Avoid mixing this up with a compressed air quick disconnect; the O rings and seals are different; you must get an LP or natural gas-rated disconnect.

They make these quick disconnects with a shut-off valve; I suggest you get this type as the shut-off makes it a more positive shut-off than letting the valve on the disconnect, etc., do all the work.

Here is a brand I know has good quality. Mr. Heater is one of the better brands available to non-professional users. https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-F27...LW6/ref=sr_1_1

It would help if you also got a vinyl plug; they make it go in the quick connection when you take the hose out. The plug helps keep road grime and dirt out of the connection.

Amazon has many brands and is much cheaper than Mr. Heater’s Quick Connect. I cannot speak to the quality of the others.

You will need to adapt down the pipe size from the 1/2" NPT pipe connection on the camper to the smaller quick connection size. Use LP or natural gas-rated thread sealant on all pipe and hose thread connections. Check connections with soapy water or gas leak test liquids.

I hope this helps.

John