What is the Difference Between Propane and Natural Gas?
According to our state laws, I can use one type for gas fireplace logs and not the other. Why? Natural gas is a naturally occurring fuel extracted from deep within the earth. It is not one gas but a mixture of various naturally-occurring gases. The types of gasses in this stew vary from well to well. Natural gas is primarily methane (alias “cow” flatulence), but also contains other flammable gases such as propane, butane, carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The main uses for natural gas in homes are for heating, hot water, clothes drying and cooking. Propane is extracted from natural gas, and is one of the so-called LP gases. ‘LP’ is an acronym for “liquefied petroleum”. Many years ago, it was found that propane could be turned into a liquid, or “liquefied”, under fairly low pressure. This quality allows shipping and storage of large volumes of propane gas in relatively small containers. Other gases can also be liquefied, but propane is by far the most common LP gas. Because of this the term
Propane is stored in a container under much pressure. Therefore the orifices that control the gas flow in your grill have a smaller opening for propane. The smaller orifice allows the proper flow of natural gas to escape to the burner and ignite. If you connect a gas grill fitted with propane orifices to a natural gas supply, the pressure in the natural gas line is much less and an insufficient amount of natural gas would escape the orifice to the gas burner. Not enough natural gas would reach the burner to ignite properly. There requirements to be an larger orifice for sufficient gas to escape to the burner to ignite properly. Nearly all gas grill manufacturers will offer a natural gas orifice for your model grill. Contact your local distributor – he will be able to order new natural gas orifices for you if he does not have them in stock. The difficulty of changing from propane to natural gas orifices depends upon your grill. Some gas grills have easier access to the orifices than oth
The difference between propane, or liquid petroleum gas (LPG), and natural gas comes down to their portability, compression, energy efficiency, and cost. However, there is generally no difference when it comes to performance in appliances for heating, cooking, or drying. The mixture of natural gas is comprised of propane, along with other gases like methane, butane, ethane, and pentane. One difference in the physical properties of propane and natural gas is how easily they liquefy and transport. Propane turns into a liquid at —46° F (-43° C), so it’s easy to compress and carry in a portable tank. You can buy compressed propane at most gas stations. It’s decompressed by a valve at the source of use, such as a barbeque grill. Yet natural gas doesn’t compress as easily. It usually comes to your home from a utility company along dedicated lines to power things like a central heating system, clothes dryer, and water heater. Propane is heavier than air which is heavier than natural gas. Both
