Propane vs Natural Gas Grill: Which Fuel Should You Choose?
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How the Two Fuels Actually Differ
Propane (LP gas) is stored as a liquid under pressure in portable 20-lb tanks, which hold roughly 430,000 BTU worth of fuel. Natural gas travels through your home's utility lines at a much lower pressure and is mostly methane. Because propane has about 2,500 BTU per cubic foot compared to natural gas at around 1,000 BTU per cubic foot, propane burners are engineered with smaller orifices than natural gas burners. You cannot safely run a propane grill on natural gas, or vice versa, without a proper conversion kit rated for that specific model. Some manufacturers sell the same grill in both configurations, and the Monument Grills 41847NG, for example, is purpose-built for natural gas with 4 burners and 723 sq in of cooking area at $549.
Upfront Cost and Installation
A propane grill costs nothing extra to install: you buy the grill, attach a tank, and you are ready to cook. Natural gas grills require a dedicated gas line run to your patio, which a licensed plumber typically completes for $200 to $700 depending on distance from the meter. A quick-disconnect fitting and shutoff valve add another $30 to $80. That upfront cost is real, but it is a one-time expense. Budget-friendly propane options like the Cuisinart CGG-306, a 2-burner stainless steel grill with 10,000 BTU and 275 sq in of cooking area rated 4.4 stars across nearly 7,000 reviews, prove you can get a capable propane grill for around $146. Natural gas models often carry a small price premium over their propane twins.
Running Cost Over Time
Natural gas is substantially cheaper per BTU than propane in most parts of the country. A typical backyard griller burning 20,000 BTU for an hour will spend roughly 6 to 10 cents on natural gas versus 20 to 30 cents on propane, depending on local utility and tank prices. Heavy users who grill three or more times per week can recoup the gas-line installation cost within one to two seasons. Occasional grillers who fire up the grill a dozen times a year will take much longer to break even, so propane often makes more financial sense for that crowd. Always check current local utility rates before doing the math.
Portability and Flexibility
Propane wins on portability. You can load a propane grill in a truck, take it to a tailgate or campsite, and use it anywhere with a flat surface and clearance from combustibles. Natural gas grills are tethered to the house by design, and moving one means paying a plumber to cap the line and reconnect it at the new location. If you rent, grill on a rooftop deck, or plan to take the grill with you when you move, propane is the practical choice. The Royal Gourmet GD401C, a 4-burner propane grill with 610 sq in of cooking area, 12,000 BTU, and a 4.4-star rating from 1,400 buyers, is a good example of a full-size freestanding propane grill you can move without a contractor.
Convenience and Running Out of Fuel
The single biggest complaint propane grillers have is running out of gas mid-cook. A standard 20-lb tank lasts roughly 18 to 25 hours of grilling depending on burner output, so you need to track usage and keep a spare. Natural gas grills never run out as long as the utility is on. You open the valve, push the igniter, and cook without ever counting tank exchanges or driving to the hardware store. For people who host large cookouts or want to start the grill without checking fuel levels, that convenience alone is a strong reason to install a gas line.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose natural gas if your home has an existing gas line nearby, you grill frequently, and the grill will stay in one place. The lower per-BTU cost and no-tank convenience pay off over two or more seasons of regular use. Choose propane if you rent, move often, want to grill away from home, or if running a gas line is not feasible. Propane gives you the same cooking results at a lower upfront cost and far more placement flexibility. There is no performance difference in how the food cooks: a 10,000-BTU propane burner and a 10,000-BTU natural gas burner reach the same grill temperatures and produce the same sear.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Trying to run a propane grill on a natural gas line without a conversion kit. The orifices are different sizes and the grill will either underperform or become a fire risk.
- Buying a natural gas grill before confirming there is an accessible gas line stub-out on the patio. Running a new line can add hundreds of dollars to your project.
- Storing a propane tank indoors or in an enclosed garage between grilling sessions. Always keep tanks outside in a well-ventilated area.
- Ignoring the regulator when switching from propane to natural gas. A natural gas conversion kit replaces the orifices and often the regulator too. Using the wrong regulator leads to incorrect pressure.
- Assuming all grills are available in both fuel types. Many entry-level and portable grills are propane only. Verify the natural gas version exists before buying.
- Not turning the gas valve fully off at the tank after cooking with propane. Leaving the valve cracked slowly drains the tank and can allow gas to collect in enclosed spaces.
Frequently asked questions
Can I convert my propane grill to natural gas?
Many grills can be converted with a manufacturer-approved conversion kit that replaces the burner orifices and sometimes the regulator. The kit must be rated specifically for your grill model. Not all grills are convertible, and using a generic kit or skipping the regulator swap can create a gas hazard, so check with the manufacturer before purchasing.
Does natural gas produce the same heat as propane?
A natural gas burner and a propane burner with the same BTU rating produce the same amount of heat. The difference is that propane has more energy per cubic foot, so natural gas burners use larger orifices to flow more volume of gas and match the same output. From a cooking standpoint, grill temperature and results are identical when BTU ratings are equal.
How long does a 20-lb propane tank last on a gas grill?
A 20-lb tank holds roughly 430,000 BTU of fuel. A grill running two burners at 10,000 BTU each burns 20,000 BTU per hour, so that tank lasts about 21 hours of total burn time. In practice, you rarely run all burners at full blast the whole time, so many grillers get 18 to 25 sessions of an hour each from a single tank.
Is natural gas or propane cheaper to grill with?
Natural gas costs less per BTU in most U.S. markets, often by a factor of two to four compared to propane at retail tank prices. The savings are real but require enough grill usage to offset the cost of having a gas line installed. Infrequent grillers who cook only a handful of times a year will likely never break even on the installation cost.
Can I use my natural gas grill during a power outage?
Yes, assuming your home's gas service is still active. Natural gas grills rely on the utility line, not electricity, so they work through most outages. The electronic igniter runs on AA batteries in most models, and you can always use a long-reach lighter if the igniter fails. Propane grills work the same way as long as you have a full tank on hand.