How to Install a Natural Gas Barbecue Grill

In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey installs a natural gas line for a barbecue grill.

Steps for Installing a Gas Grill

1. Check to confirm that the home’s natural gas system has enough capacity to support a barbecue grill.
2. Use a pipe wrench to turn off the gas at the gas meter.
3. Tap into the existing gas line and run a new line out to the gas grill location.
4. Apply pipe joint compound to each threaded connection and tighten with a pipe wrench.
5. Suspend the new line from the floor joists with galvanized-steel pipe hangers.
6. Install a new gas shutoff valve into the new gas line.
7. Drill a ¾-inch-diameter hole through the house wall.
8. Continue the new gas line from the basement through the hole to the outside.
9. Install a shutoff valve to the pipe just outside the house.
10. Next, pressure-test the new gas line to ensure there are no leaks.
11. Spray liquid soap onto the threaded connections and check for leaks.
12. After about 40 minutes, check the pressure gauge to confirm the pressure hasn’t dropped. Remove the pressure gauge from the gas pipe.
13. Install a quick-connect hose fitting onto the end of the gas pipe.
14. Mask off the house around the new gas pipe with cardboard or newspaper, then apply rust-resistant spray paint to the new piping.
15. Connect a new flexible quick-connect gas hose to the rear of the gas grill.
16. If necessary, install an adapter to convert the grill from propane to natural gas.
17. Snap the end of the grill’s gas hose onto the quick-connect fitting on the new gas line.
18. Turn on the gas at the meter.

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