How To Connect Gas To Your BBQ

Pull out the pluggers, dust off the tongs, it’s time to get cooking with gas.

If you want to fine dine alfresco, you’re going to need a heat source and while the classic charcoal versus gas BBQ debate has been raging for yonks, here’s a recap: the best gas BBQs heat up instantly, so there’s no waiting about.

All they need is a source - whether that be LPG or natural gas and a BBQ to feed into.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LPG GAS AND NATURAL GAS?

LPG is liquefied petroleum gas which is either propane or butane bottled with a heat content of 93.2MJ/m3. Natural gas is mainly methane and has a heat content of 38.7MJ/m3.

With double the energy content, meaning less gas is required to produce the same amount of heat, LPG is more efficient than natural gas. Natural gas however, can be built-in and delivered through pipes, also producing less CO2 when burned. Your Beefeater BBQ is made for LPG but it is possible for you to buy natural gas conversion kits.

How do you connect a LPG gas bottle safely?

What you’ll need

Before safely connecting your LPG gas bottle, it’s important to first ensure you have the correct BBQ hose connection for the cylinder. A new connection (the LCC27 valve) was introduced to gas bottles in April 2022 to increase safety by reducing the risk of BBQ fires and accidental gas leakage and is compatible with all new BeefEater BBQs.

If you are using an older BBQ model, cylinders with the previous valves (POL) may continue to be used.

CLEANING STEPS

Both connectors are used similarly, see below for detailed instructions:

Step 1

Test for leaks using the soapy water leak test or purchasing from a reputable gas bottle dealer that tests for you.

Step 2

If you need to transport your bottle after this, stand upright in the boot of your car and drive slowly with the windows down.

Step 3

Once at your BBQ, you can begin connecting your bottle by screwing on the valve/hose, making sure there are no kinks in the hose.

Step 4

POL gas bottle fittings have a left-handed thread. Which means once you connect the valve/hose, you need to tighten them the opposite direction of a nut and bolt. So instead of lefty loosy, righty tighty, you’re looking at righty loosy, lefty tighty.

Step 5

LCC27 gas bottle fittings have a right-handed thread, which means for newer BBQs and gas appliances, you’re looking at righty tighty, lefty loosy. There is also a back check valve on the LCC27 connectors that must be engaged by having a positive connection to the appliance hose before gas can flow.

Step 6

Turn off and store your LPG gas bottle upright between BBQs.

THE SOAPY WATER GAS LEAK TEST

Step 1

Mix soap like hand detergent or washing detergent in a spray bottle to create a soapy solution.

Step 2

Turn on the gas bottle without turning on the BBQ to pressurise.

Step 3

Spray the gas bottle valve, regulator and hose assembly with the solution. If there’s a leak, bubbles will form and you will need to remedy this prior to turning on your BBQ. If no leak, you’re good to get cooking.

Step 4

Rinse the soapy solution off with water.

Step 5

Repeat every time you reconnect your regulator to the BBQ gas bottle.

HOW TO CONVERT YOUR BBQ FROM LPG TO NATURAL GAS

If you don’t wish to faff around with LPG gas bottles, converting to natural gas may be for you. A qualified gas service agent can use a kit to convert your BBQ from LPG to natural gas.

Step 1

Check your BBQ is compatible.

Step 2

Get a qualified gas service agent to fit an outdoor gas outlet if you don’t already have one. They will provide a compliance certificate on completion.

Step 3

Buy a BBQ gas conversion kit. You can search the accessories section of the BeefEater website to find the one compatible with your BBQ. Prices start from $99. Simply search your BBQ number under the accessories section of the BeefEater website and you’ll find the corresponding conversion kit complete with an installation guide, like this Natural Gas Conversion Kit for Series 7000, 1600, 1500 and 1200 Mobile Barbecues.

Step 4

Either book a qualified gas service agent to do the connection for you, or alternatively follow the installation guide supplied with your conversion kit.

How to convert your Freestanding BeefEater BBQ to natural gas

For full step-by-step details whether performing yourself or by a qualified technician, please refer to page 53 of the user manual for BMF7655SA 7000 PREMIUM 5 BURNER BBQ for gas connection instructions. Download the manual PDF here. NB: Tools may be different for varying BBQ model types.

How to convert your Built-In BeefEater BBQ to natural gas

For full step-by-step details whether performing yourself or by a qualified technician, please refer to page 11 of BS31560 SIGNATURE SL4000 5 BURNER BUILT IN BBQ WITH SIDE BURNER for converting the unit to natural gas instructions. Download the manual PDF here. NB: Tools may be different for varying BBQ model types.

DOs AND DON'Ts

DOs

DO ensure you have the correct BBQ hose connection

DO test leaks using soapy water or purchasing from a reputable gas bottle dealer

DO check that your BBQ is compatible to the gas bottle

DO buy a BBQ gas conversion kit and follow the installation guide

DON’Ts

DON'T keep the BBQ on when connecting the new gas bottle

DON’T try to attach the wrong gas bottle to the BBQ if it doesn’t screw on

DON'T keep the gas bottle in if there is a leak in the hose

MORE HOW-TO GUIDES

How To Connect Gas To Your BBQ

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LPG GAS AND NATURAL GAS?

How do you connect a LPG gas bottle safely?

What you’ll need

CLEANING STEPS

THE SOAPY WATER GAS LEAK TEST

HOW TO CONVERT YOUR BBQ FROM LPG TO NATURAL GAS

How to convert your Freestanding BeefEater BBQ to natural gas

How to convert your Built-In BeefEater BBQ to natural gas

DOs AND DON'Ts

How To Clean Your BBQ

How To Connect Gas To Your BBQ

How To Cook Salmon On The BBQ