Author Topic: converting to propane from natural gas (Read 4159 times)

cassandra and sara's daddy · « **on:** June 28, 2009, 10:55:02 AM »

dacor range currently on nat gas model ERD48SCH F-J-02401888

anybody know how or have a resource that knows how to convert it to propane? barring that anyone wanna buy a heck of a range?

never_retreat · « **Reply #1 on:** June 28, 2009, 11:03:44 AM »

You just need to change or orifices. Easy job. you will have to get them from the manufacture.

Nick1911 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 28, 2009, 11:21:36 AM »

Quote from: never_retreat on June 28, 2009, 11:03:44 AM

You just need to change or orifices. Easy job. you will have to get them from the manufacture.

Yup yup. Find a dealer of Dacor appliances, and ask them to order the parts to do the conversion.

Dacor stuff it pretty high end - Personally I'd have a technician do the conversion.

280plus · « **Reply #3 on:** June 28, 2009, 11:41:20 AM »

Yea, don't get yourself blowed up!

mtnbkr · « **Reply #4 on:** June 28, 2009, 12:27:24 PM »

Damn. Judging by the picture, my wife would LOVE that stove. We're on Natural Gas as well. Alas, it wouldn't fit in our kitchen without removing some of the cabinets.

Chris

cassandra and sara's daddy · « **Reply #5 on:** June 28, 2009, 12:47:36 PM »

dacor does NOT make a conversion kit for this one. we need tto involve redneck engineering. i've converted many stoves esiest is jennairs newer ones. if we can't convert this one will be on the market for a song it was over 10 k new and the guy got it along with a stainless full length hood for a GREAT price. i could deliver locally

Gowen · « **Reply #6 on:** June 28, 2009, 12:53:08 PM »

Ummm..... C&SD, why ask the question, then deride everyone's answer?

RoadKingLarry · « **Reply #7 on:** June 28, 2009, 01:04:51 PM »

The one I have now has a switchable valve on it. Good luck.

K Frame · « **Reply #8 on:** June 28, 2009, 01:05:20 PM »

Uhm...

I don't see in the least that he's deriding anyone's answers, just responding to the suggestion that he contact Dacor for a conversion kit.

280plus · « **Reply #9 on:** June 28, 2009, 01:31:30 PM »

Best be knowing what you're doing if you're going to go drilling orifices and such.

Gowen · « **Reply #10 on:** June 28, 2009, 02:05:09 PM »

I guess miss read his response.

Nick1911 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 28, 2009, 02:32:29 PM »

Quote from: 280plus on June 28, 2009, 01:31:30 PM

Best be knowing what you're doing if you're going to go drilling orifices and such.

Here's a few sources on how to do it to a BBQ grill:

http://www.komar.org/bbq/mm/convert/

http://www.mobilehomerepair.com/article18gasgrill.html

THAT SAID: I wouldn't go an just punch the orifice up to 1/16 because that's the smallest bit you have. Get a set of numbered bits, 1-60.

Also, I wouldn't personally hand drill the orifice out, too much risk of wallowing out the hole or breaking a bit. If possible, use (at least) a drill press, or better yet, chuck it up in a lathe.

Just my 2 cents.

Jim147 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 28, 2009, 03:18:21 PM »

Guys, just so you know. You make the holes smaller for propane.
Fill them up and hand drill them out.
Just like making smaller carb jets.
This is just coming from an old Dacor tech.
If the regulator isn't switchable then you have to find one that will fit.

jim

Nitrogen · « **Reply #13 on:** June 28, 2009, 04:33:28 PM »

since ya'all are smart, I have a question. I ask because I have NO IDEA how to go about finding this out, and the goog has failed me.

I live in the burbs with no gas service. I'd like to at least get a propane water heater, and possibly propane heat later on. Is this possible, more from a safety/legal standpoint?

Jim147 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 28, 2009, 04:51:31 PM »

It would depend on your city and or home owners association rules. I had several customers in electric only locations put a small propane tank in the back yard so they could have a gas cooktop.
You might check the yellow pages for a propane dealer in your area. They might have most of your answers.

I'm not sure of your electric rates, but the price of propane in my area is not cheap.

Quote

since ya'all are smart, I have a question.

I'm not that smart. This is the internet. I can just make all sorts of things up.

jim

Stand_watie · « **Reply #15 on:** June 28, 2009, 06:26:20 PM »

Quote from: Nitrogen on June 28, 2009, 04:33:28 PM

since ya'all are smart, I have a question. I ask because I have NO IDEA how to go about finding this out, and the goog has failed me.

I live in the burbs with no gas service. I'd like to at least get a propane water heater, and possibly propane heat later on. Is this possible, more from a safety/legal standpoint?

I suggest calling the nearest propane dealer to you and asking (as Jim suggested).

cassandra and sara's daddy · « **Reply #16 on:** June 29, 2009, 06:17:25 AM »

if anything i was a bit peeved to find dacor doesn't offer a conversion kit. there is a really nice jenair that becomes mine if we can make the dacor work..

i am hoping the rep my client was talking to was "less than fully informed"

Quote from: 280plus on June 28, 2009, 01:31:30 PM

Best be knowing what you're doing if you're going to go drilling orifices and such.

and lol i don't have the gonads to drill out gas orifices in my own house much less the home of a client i like. sides isn't going to propane from nat gas gonna involve makeing the hole smaller? less propane for same btu?

280plus · « **Reply #17 on:** June 29, 2009, 06:32:47 AM »

Apparently so, having only ever done furnace and boiler conversions from suppplied kits I've never had to fiddle around with orifice sizes.

Why do you want to convert btw? Isn't NG cheaper where you are?

Nick1911 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 29, 2009, 09:50:55 AM »

Quote from: Jim147 on June 28, 2009, 03:18:21 PM

Guys, just so you know. You make the holes smaller for propane.

True! I was thinking backwards. :|

For propane, I've had good luck using a #57 drill for the orifice tube.

Granted, that was for a simple, cobbled together aluminum melting furnace, not a multi-thousand dollar appliance...

cassandra and sara's daddy · « **Reply #19 on:** June 30, 2009, 06:41:33 PM »

Quote from: 280plus on June 29, 2009, 06:32:47 AM

Apparently so, having only ever done furnace and boiler conversions from suppplied kits I've never had to fiddle around with orifice sizes.

Why do you want to convert btw? Isn't NG cheaper where you are?

no natural gas to our houses. which is ironic since the gas pipeline crosses the river within 1/2 mile of my house

280plus · « **Reply #20 on:** July 01, 2009, 05:23:09 AM »

Let's see, a drill, a tap and about 1/2 mile of pipe and you're all set!

Fly320s · « **Reply #21 on:** July 01, 2009, 05:49:11 AM »

C&S

Try ajmadison.com

Cobalt60 · « **Reply #22 on:** July 01, 2009, 10:57:23 AM »

He said...

...drilling orifices.

...orifice sizes.

O.o

I've watched too much Beavis & Butthead.

(We now return you to the original topic.)

Thor · « **Reply #23 on:** July 01, 2009, 01:00:32 PM »

Many times, the replacement conversion orifices are mounted on the back of the range. They may be screwed onto a small metal bracket or in a plastic bag attached to the range. It depends on the quality of the range. The only other thing you'll need to have done is have the oven/ broiler adjusted by a competent propane person. Don't forget your hot water heater if it is natural gas. You may need a brand new one. Then there's the HVAC system that will need some work.

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Author Topic: converting to propane from natural gas (Read 4159 times)