BoFuller
Veteran Member
When we move to our off-grid property we will need propane for the dryer. We have one that uses natural gas. Are they at all interchangeable or do we need to sell the one and buy one specifically for propane?
natural gas vs. propane
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SSdoxie
Elite Member
Check with your prooane guy, depending on age of dryer he maybe able to jsut change orifce in it.
dusty3030
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Have to change the orifice from the one for NG to the one for LP.
Sometimes they come with the appliance, along with instructions. If they did not or you don't have them anymore, you need to get make/model and get the kit for your dryer.
Sometimes they come with the appliance, along with instructions. If they did not or you don't have them anymore, you need to get make/model and get the kit for your dryer.
bigtiller
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You have to fiddle with the gas valve on the drier also. Some valves have an adjustment on the side where a screw driver can change the pressure needed to run natural gas or propane. If yours doesn't have this, you will need a new regulator.
The orifices are easy, just match up your BTU's with the correct size and screw them in.
It would probably be best to just call your propane supplier and have him change it over for you. He will probably donate his labor if you buy his gas.
The orifices are easy, just match up your BTU's with the correct size and screw them in.
It would probably be best to just call your propane supplier and have him change it over for you. He will probably donate his labor if you buy his gas.
Qapla
Veteran Member
Depending on how old the unit is, it may have one of the "two-sided" orifices. One side out is for NG the other side out is for Propane. My cook stove has this type.
As for the regulator, that should be on the supply line - at the tank or where the gas enters the house. If your new house does not have any service you will need a regulator. If you are only going to run a dryer from the propane the regulator for a gas grill will work.
In our house we use a 20# (also have a 30#) BBQ bottle with a gas grill regulator to feed the gas line on the house since all we have that is gas is the stove.
In our other house, we had gas stove and gas furnace and still used the 20# setup and it worked just fine.
We have found that taking the 20# bottles to be re-filled (either to some place that fills them or big-box store for replacement) is cheaper then paying the price per gallon, the delivery fee and the tank rental that all the gas companies want.
As for the regulator, that should be on the supply line - at the tank or where the gas enters the house. If your new house does not have any service you will need a regulator. If you are only going to run a dryer from the propane the regulator for a gas grill will work.
In our house we use a 20# (also have a 30#) BBQ bottle with a gas grill regulator to feed the gas line on the house since all we have that is gas is the stove.
In our other house, we had gas stove and gas furnace and still used the 20# setup and it worked just fine.
We have found that taking the 20# bottles to be re-filled (either to some place that fills them or big-box store for replacement) is cheaper then paying the price per gallon, the delivery fee and the tank rental that all the gas companies want.
Short Game
Veteran Member
I've converted both a ranges and a dryer. It wasn't hard. When you can't get the right spuds, but can learn the drill size, you can modify them. I have silver soldered an oversized orifice shut and re-drilled it. The drill hole has to be correctly aligned, straight, and centered.
Search on: "natural gas" propane spuds
You might add your specific appliance to the search as well.
Search on: "natural gas" propane spuds
You might add your specific appliance to the search as well.
forgeblast
Elite Member
Think also of the supply line; you want to make it big enough to provide the needed gas.
We ran 3/4 black pipe all though our basement before we switched everything over. We also added enough tee's incase we wanted to move things around.
We ran 3/4 black pipe all though our basement before we switched everything over. We also added enough tee's incase we wanted to move things around.
moored4
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If you live in Az. then have you considered the other Alternative fuel!!
SUN SHINE and a piece of rope!!
OP
BoFuller
Veteran Member
If you live in Az. then have you considered the other Alternative fuel!!
SUN SHINE and a piece of rope!!
Oh yeah, we are already on that page. Momma has already said she wants a clothesline, but for the few days of inclement weather, or for company, she wants her dryer as a backup!