Gas Options for My Weber Barbeque

Hunter14 on 16/07/2019 - 11:29

Hi All,

I just bought a Weber Family Q to use in our alfresco which has a gas point that our builders put for us.

I've never owned a BBQ before so I didn't realise the Weber gas connection is a screw on type for gas bottles. It seems our gas point is a bayonet connection. I asked my building supervisor and he recommended to grab a bayonet converter from Bunnings.

I've done a bit of research and found some mixed information so I thought I'd ask the good people of OzB.

  1. If I choose to get the bayonet converter, could I install it myself or do I require a licensed plumber?

  2. Would using the built in natural gas be more economical in the long term versus using the traditional gas bottles? I'm thinking the gas bottles would make the BBQ more portable so I can move it around easier in my backyard.

Thank you for any advice :)

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Bid Sniper on 16/07/2019 - 11:38
    +1

    There is a webber specifically for town gas using a bayonet fitting.

    The licence conversion I think was $200(?). It was cheaper to sell the BBQ and get the proper one. Gas is cheap so I get the one with the correct fitting.

    I sold the towngas BBQ and went with the Electric Weber pulse instead. CBF with bottles.

  • Stewardo on 16/07/2019 - 12:04

    Are you renting? If so just buy a gas bottle as the next place you live may not town gas.
    It’s not just the bayonet that needs to be changed. You can get Weber to do it or take it to a gas heater service centre which maybe cheaper if you shop around.

    If you’ve never used the bbq couldn’t you return it for an exchange?

    • Hunter14 on 16/07/2019 - 12:17

      Sorry should have mentioned it is our house. If it's too much hassle then we'll probably just use the gas bottle.

      Our builder seems to think I can just install the bayonet converter myself.

  • Fergy1987 on 16/07/2019 - 12:18
    +1

    just get the bottles, either do swap and go or if there is a refill place nearby, buy your own bottle.

    I wouldn't bother with trying to connect to the home unless you had the actual version that connects to natural gas

    • kerfuffle on 16/07/2019 - 12:22

      I think the OP got the LPG version inadvertently instead of the NG version, hence this post

      • Hunter14 on 16/07/2019 - 12:33

        Yep, exactly right. I just found out now that there are 2 gas fitting versions of the same Weber Q.

        I bought the LPG so maybe I'll just use the bottle. Are there much difference in cost?

        • kerfuffle on 16/07/2019 - 12:35

          Between the two models, it's about $30 extra for the NG model

          • Hunter14 on 16/07/2019 - 12:38

            @kerfuffle: Sorry, I meant just using natural gas vs LPG in general. If the cost is negligible then I actually just prefer to use LPG so I can use the bbq anywhere I want.

            • kerfuffle on 16/07/2019 - 12:39

              @Hunter14: No idea, sorry. I don't have a gas BBQ.

            • one man clan on 16/07/2019 - 13:27

              @Hunter14: Have a bottle gas weber and a bottle lasts 6+ months and is like $30 to refill with probably twice a week usage. It's cheap

              • Hunter14 on 16/07/2019 - 13:33

                @one man clan: Cheers mate :) do you just refill at the nearest petrol station? Are the prices around the same which ever servo you go to?

                • one man clan on 16/07/2019 - 13:51

                  @Hunter14: I live down the street from a petrol station so I literally just walk there to refill. It's cheaper than swap and go, like $18 or something.

  • jwah on 16/07/2019 - 12:34
    +3

    I believe the proper conversion requires replacing the gas jets due to higher pressure of mains NG vs LPG. With bigger jets come a bigger flame necessary due to LPG burning hotter than NG.
    You can probably use existing jets and just use the convention tube but it won't burn as hot.

    I looked into this myself with a second hand BBQs Galore bbq - too hard. You should be able to get the weber NG jets from the store though. Or just get a new NG bbq.

  • [Deactivated] on 16/07/2019 - 14:34
    +1

    Town (mains) gas is different to bottled cylinder LPG gas. You can't just convert the bayonet. Mains gas is not as powerful or strong as bottled gas, so your Webber q won't be as hot. I bought a 2k bbq spent $600 converting it and installing a gas outlet and it's just not hot enough. Takes forever to cook and I can't get steaks nice and rare. I def would not do this again, if you want mains gas then get a bbq made for mains gas don't just convert one.

    • Hunter14 on 16/07/2019 - 14:41
      +1

      Thanks for the tip mate. Having weighed up all the options, I think I'll just keep the current BBQ and use the LPG bottle gas. It will be more portable and cook better as you say. I had the main gas installed for a future outdoor stove rather than for the BBQ so probably worked out for the best.

  • [Deactivated] on 16/07/2019 - 17:58
    +1

    Advice - ditch the gas BBQ and buy a charcoal BBQ. :)

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