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If you picked up a new gas grill just in time for the warmer weather, we would like to congratulate you on your purchase. We hope you'll be able to enjoy the convenience of your gas grill for many years to come, and if everything goes well, you should be able to.

The average gas grill will last around 5 to 15 years on average. That should add up to plenty of meats to smoke, ribs to braise, and summer cookouts to be had. Obviously, before you make such a big investment, you'll want to ensure that you're getting the most longetivity and long term value out of your investment.

Fortunately, we've taken the initiative to create some resources to help you find that value. Whether your finger's still hovering over the buy button, or you've already locked in the order and are you're waiting for your new barbecue grill to arrive, this guide should help you make the most of your purchase.

So without any further adieu, haste, or delay, let's get your outdoor kitchen set up! Here are some important questions you should ask yourself while preparing for the installation of your next gas grill.

1. Did You Match the Gas Type in Your Home with That of Your Grill?

First and foremost, you're going to want to determine what you will be using as a fuel source. There are two types of gas that you can use to fuel your gas grill: liquid propane (commonly abbreviated as LP gas) or natural gas.

Natural gas is delivered to your home via a pipeline operated by your local gas company. LP is typically stored in 20-lb. portable propane cylinder tanks that you refill at a local hardware store or gas station. In rare instances, you might have a large tank on your property that stores LP gas in bulk.

Natural gas is extracted from the underground. It contains methane, as well as a mixture of propane, butane, and ethane.
Liquid Propane is a by-product of both natural gas and crude oil. LP gas is more efficient than natural gas.

When you're purchasing a gas grill, make sure to choose a type of model that corresponds with the specific type of gas you are using. The consistency and chemical makeup of these gas types are vastly different. Therefore, your gas grill will come optimally tuned for the specific gas type.

If you're using natural gas, you should prioritize:

  • Installing A Natural Gas Source In Your Home: If you haven't done so already, you'll need to install a new gas line in your home.

  • Having A Sufficient Fuel Capacity: Read your home's gas meter to ensure that your home's gas line is adequate for grilling.

  • Relocate The Gas Line Extension To Your Grilling: If you already have a natural gas line installed in your home, great! Scratch the first step! You'll want to ensure that this line will be able to extend to your outdoor grilling area.

  • Consulting Professionals: Obviously, extending gas lines and installing new gas lines aren't your typical, basic, everyday DIY projects. An experienced team of professionals can offer you the necessary support and expertise needed to install or renovate your gas line.

  • Long-Term Return-On-Investment: Unless you already have an accessible existing gas line installed in your home, liquid propane will seem like the more affordable option, and in the short term, it typically is. However, natural gas tends to save grillers slightly more in the long run, as they won't need to continually refill a built-in line.

Alternatively, if you're opting for a grill that uses a liquid propane cyclinder, here are some key points to consider:

  • The Size Of Your Grill: LP grills are working from a more limited fuel reserve than natural gas grills. If you like to regularly put on bigger BBQs, consider purchasing a natural gas grill with at least 4-5 burners, if not more.

  • Auxillary Gizmos & Goodies: Ostensibly, you only need a grill to just perform one job and perform it well: grill! But if you're able to snag a higher-end LP grill model, consider grabbing a newer one, fitted with the newest innovations and conveniences in the game. While you technically don't need these extra features, it's never a bad thing to have a grill with additional side burners, durable grates, wheels for portability, intuitive analog controls, or even remote smartphone app controls.

  • Dual-Fuel Compability: If you're struggling with indecision, scratching your head over whether or not to get an LP or gas grill, you always get the best of both worlds by purchasing a grill with dual fuel lines. These types of grills would allow you the freedom and flexibility to alternate between both sources.

Unfortunately, it may not be possible to convert your gas grill from LP to natural gas.

2. Do You Have an LP Tank Ready?

Propane barbecue grills do not come with LP tanks due to potential transportation hazards. However, most propane grills have the proper threaded connection ready to hook them up to your LP tank.

Make sure to have a full tank ready to enjoy your new grill right away. You can buy one at a local hardware store or gas station.

LP Gas Grills
LP Gas Grills

3. Is Your Natural Gas Connection Ready?

It's imperative that you have a natural gas line ready within 10 ft. of your new grill. This new line must be installed by a licensed plumber, and inspected by your town through a thorough leak test. They'll also want to ensure that your new line complies with local building codes.

Appliance installers are not licensed plumbers, and they won't be able to alter your home connection. But once you're in touch with trusted professionals and want to move forward with them on the new natural gas line installion, they will generally do so by:

  • Activating the gas shutoff valve in your home
  • Evaluating the right fittings for your pipes
  • Ensuring that your new gas line is fitted airtight
  • Running the line to your built-in or dual-fuel grill

To test air tightness, the installer may look for a bubble or collection of bubbles formed around the adapters. Even a single bubble of liquid present around a connector can wave a glaring red flag that leaks are present. Inspections and leak tests can take time, so we recommend starting this process as soon as you purchase your grill, if not earlier.

ideal gas connection set up for a gas grill
Here is how an ideal gas set up should look like in your home.

Pro Tip: Always hire a licensed plumber. Licensed plumbers will properly size and install the pipework for your new gas line along with a quick-connect adapter. They'll also check threaded connections for leaks and test the pressure so your grill operates at an optimum level.

Other examples of natural gas lines
Other examples of natural gas lines
gas shut off valve, reducer, quick connect
Up & close look of parts involved

4. Does Your Grill Come With a Natural Gas Hose and Connection Kit?

More and more manufacturers are skimping on including a natural gas hose and connection kit with their gas grills. Check the online product manual to see if installation parts, including a natural gas hose, are included with your grill.

Generally, most grill product manuals offer straighforward instructions for installation, assembly, and removal, if you're opting to purchase a built-in grill. The parts could range from the dozens to the thousands, and the assembly process could range anywhere from spanning minutes to hours.

In any case, a good product manual should clearly outline how to implement the fuel line into your grill, whether it's a built-in natural gas grill or dual fuel model. After all, no viable fuel line means no working viable grill, and we wouldn't want that now, would we?

Most freestanding grills are largely pre-assembled from the outset, making them relatively easier to set up than – you may only just need to install the new line or fuel tank. However, the trade-off you're getting with a built-in grill over a freestanding grill is a more durable appliance, specifically built to last years and weather whatever outdoor elements the world throws at it.

Pro Tip: Verify the information you received from your installer and salesperson against the product manual to be on the safe side.

natural gas hose and connector
Check the online user manual to verify that your grill comes with a natural gas hose

5. Does Your New Grill Require An Electrical Outlet Nearby?

Some gas grill igniters operate using standard electric power. Make sure you have an outlet conveniently situated near the general area where you plan to use your grill.

Select manufacturers also offer a backup battery-powered ignition. Be sure to carefully review your product manual for more information, or the product's listed specifications before purchasing.

Whether you're looking for a nice electrical grill to use at home or for some grilling on the go, you don't have to look any further than the Coyote C1EL120SM. We'd highly recommend this convenient, portable little grill that can.

It's smooth, ergonomic, and criminally easy to set up. Right now, you can pick it up at an affordable $499 MSRP, but we've only got it in limited stock, so don't wait! We love

6. What Do You Need To Do To Get The Old Grill Ready To Be Moved?

If you're intent on replacing an older grill model with a newer appliance, the best course of action for getting rid of it would be recycling the scrap. Here's some steps you can take you to start getting out with the old so you can start getting on with the new:

  1. Safely remove the propane tank from your appliance
  2. Remove non-recyclable metal parts, if possible
  3. Call a local scrap metal recycling plant, ask if they'd accept your grill
  4. If you're unable to move the grill to the plant yourself, consider contacting and hiring professional junk movers for the disposal job

Once you've got all those logistics worked out, then you can really get to grilling some good eats.

Conclusion

It's exciting to get a new outdoor gas grill. Just follow all of the above steps, and you'll set yourself up for success as the grillmaster of your family in no time!