Heating & appliances
Outdoor kitchens, built-in grills and fire pits on your propane tank
A built-in grill, outdoor kitchen or gas fire pit can run straight from your home propane tank through a buried gas line, so there are no cylinders to swap and no running out halfway through dinner. Plan the line before the patio is poured, have it connected by a qualified installer with its own shut-off valve and a leak test, and keep grills and fire features well clear of the house and anything that can burn.
Updated · American River Gas office, Newcastle
Home tank or portable cylinder?
A rolling grill on a 20-pound cylinder is simple and portable. A grill or kitchen piped to your house tank is permanent, and as the Propane Education & Research Council points out, a grill tied into your propane line never runs out of fuel. For a family that grills often, or a patio with a grill, side burner and fire pit, a line from the tank is usually the cleaner setup.
Keeping a portable grill too? Cylinders can be refilled at our Ophir Road yard in Newcastle during business hours, Monday to Friday 8 to 4:30, closed noon to 1.
Plan the gas line before the hardscape
The cheapest time to run gas to a patio is before concrete, pavers or stone go down. Sketch where the grill, burners and fire pit will sit, then have the line routed and stubbed out to each spot. We install underground gas lines and can size the line for everything you plan to add, even if the fire pit comes next year.
PERC describes three common outdoor kitchen layouts: a straight run, which usually costs least and can sit against a wall; an L-shape, which adds prep space and room for bar seating; and a U-shape, which fits the most appliances and seating. It also suggests building close enough to the house that you are not carrying plates across the yard. Balance that against the spacing rules below.
Safe spacing for grills
The U.S. Fire Administration's grilling rules are straightforward, and they matter on wood decks and under oak canopies:
- Use propane, charcoal and pellet grills outdoors only. Indoor use risks fire and carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Keep the grill well away from siding and deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
- Keep a 3-foot safe zone around the grill for kids and pets.
- Open a gas grill's lid before lighting it, and do not walk away while it is lit.
- Clean the grill after use so grease does not start a fire.
- Do not store or use a grill on a porch or balcony.
Gas fire pits and outdoor fireplaces
A propane fire pit gives real flame without wood smoke, and many have push-button or remote start. PERC notes that brick and stone are the most popular finishes, but the inside of the pit must be built from materials rated for fire temperatures, such as fire brick and fire-proof mortar. Portable fire pits with a small cylinder in the base are another option if you do not want a permanent build.
Placement matters most. The U.S. Fire Administration says to use fire pits, chimineas and outdoor fireplaces at least 10 feet from your home or anything that can burn, watch children closely while one is lit, and turn it off before you leave the yard.
Fire season in the foothills
Foothill fire season can run long. On red flag days and during fire season, check your local fire district's current rules before you light any outdoor fire feature, and skip it when the wind is up. Keep the ground around the grill and pit free of dry leaves and needles, and follow the defensible space guidance in our wildfire guide for the tank itself.
Connecting it the right way
A permanent outdoor appliance should be installed by a qualified professional, as PERC advises. Each one needs its own shut-off valve within 6 feet, and new connections get a leak test. A grill built for natural gas needs the maker's propane conversion first. Tell us what you are adding so we can check that your tank and regulator keep up with the new load. If you smell gas, leave the building first, then call 911 and us from outside.
Questions
Straight answers
Can I connect my grill to my house propane tank?
Yes, if the grill is made or converted for a fixed propane line. A qualified installer runs the line, adds a shut-off valve within 6 feet and leak tests it.
How far should a fire pit be from the house?
The U.S. Fire Administration says at least 10 feet from your home or anything that can burn. Check the fire pit manual for any larger clearance.
Can I convert my natural gas grill to propane?
Only with the grill maker's approved propane kit, installed by a qualified person and leak tested. If no kit exists, a propane model is the safer choice.
Where can I refill a portable grill cylinder?
At our yard at 10290 Ophir Rd, Newcastle, during business hours, Monday to Friday 8 to 4:30, closed noon to 1.
Related
Keep reading
Sources: Propane Education & Research Council: outdoor kitchens (opens in a new tab) · Propane Education & Research Council: fireplaces and fire pits (opens in a new tab) · U.S. Fire Administration: outdoor fire safety (grills and fire pits) (opens in a new tab)
Newcastle yard · since 1966
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