Natural gas vs propane grill: which one should you buy? If your home already has a natural gas line, a natural gas grill usually costs less per hour to run and never runs out mid-cook. If you have no gas line, want to move the grill around, or live where natural gas is pricey, propane is the simpler choice. Flavor is close to a tie, because both fuels burn clean.
The bigger decision is the hookup. Many grills are sold as separate natural gas and propane models, so you pick the fuel when you order. Below we compare BTU content, running cost, flavor, conversion, and real NG and LP versions of the same grills.
Natural gas vs propane grill at a glance
| Factor | Natural gas | Propane (LP) |
|---|---|---|
| Energy content (EIA) | About 1,036 Btu per cubic foot | About 91,452 Btu per gallon |
| Fuel supply | Piped from the utility, no refills | Tank or cylinder you refill or swap |
| Upfront work | Gas line run to the grill by a licensed pro | Usually just connect a tank |
| Mobility | Fixed in place | Can be moved (freestanding models) |
| Running cost | Often lower per hour, depends on local rates | Often a bit higher per hour, depends on local rates |
| Flavor | Clean burning | Clean burning |
BTU of propane vs natural gas
The U.S. Energy Information Administration lists propane at about 91,452 Btu per gallon and natural gas at about 1,036 Btu per cubic foot. Propane packs far more energy into a given volume, which is why it works well in a portable tank.
That does not mean a propane grill gets hotter. Manufacturers size the gas valves and burner orifices for each fuel so both versions hit the same rated output. Natural gas runs at a lower pressure and needs larger orifices to deliver the same BTUs.
Propane grill cost vs natural gas: a worked example
Here is an estimate for a grill rated at 80,000 BTU per hour with every burner on high. Real cooks usually use less.
Propane cost per hour
- 80,000 Btu divided by 91,452 Btu per gallon = about 0.87 gallons per hour
- EIA’s U.S. average residential propane price for the week of October 12, 2026 was $2.638 per gallon (excluding taxes)
- 0.87 gallons x $2.638 = about $2.31 per hour
Natural gas cost per hour
- 80,000 Btu divided by 1,036 Btu per cubic foot = about 77 cubic feet per hour (0.077 thousand cubic feet)
- EIA’s U.S. average residential natural gas price for July 2026 was $26.45 per thousand cubic feet
- 0.077 x $26.45 = about $2.04 per hour
Using EIA’s January 2026 residential price of $13.96 per thousand cubic feet, the same hour works out to about $1.08. The residential average swings a lot by month, and it tends to run highest in summer when households burn less gas. Your own bill is what counts.
Treat these numbers as estimates. Refilling or swapping small cylinders is often priced differently from bulk propane delivery, so check what you actually pay per gallon. For most households the hourly gap is small. The real savings with natural gas come from never buying or hauling tanks.
Does propane taste different?
Not in any way most people can pick out. Both natural gas and propane burn cleanly, and neither adds the smoky flavor you get from charcoal or wood. What you taste comes from heat, technique, and drippings hitting hot sear plates or briquettes.
If you want more flavor from a gas grill, focus on things you control:
- Use a direct zone for searing and an indirect zone for thicker cuts.
- Add a smoker box with wood chips for a smoke note.
- Use an infrared or sear burner, if your grill has one, for a harder crust.
If wood or charcoal flavor matters most, read our pellet grill vs kamado guide instead.
Can you convert a grill to natural gas?
Sometimes, but only the way the manufacturer allows. Some brands sell a model-specific conversion kit with the correct orifices, and sometimes a different regulator or valve parts. Others do not allow conversion at all. Weber, for example, says it does not allow conversions or provide conversion kits and warns that converting voids the warranty and might create an unsafe situation.
Rules to follow before you convert a grill to natural gas:
- Use only the manufacturer’s conversion kit for your exact model.
- Have a licensed gas professional do the conversion and run the gas line.
- Check local code, permits, and your HOA. A licensed pro and local code have the final word.
- Confirm how conversion affects your warranty before you start.
Since many grills come in both NG and LP versions at the same price, it is usually easier to order the right fuel from the start.
Natural gas grill and propane grill models: same grill, two versions
These built-in grills are listed in matching natural gas and propane versions. Specs and prices come from our product listings at the time of writing. Cooking area is not listed on these product pages, so ask us before you order if you need it.
| Grill | Burners | Listed BTU | Natural gas version | Propane version |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coyote CL-Series 36 inch | 4 Infinity burners | 80,000 combined | About $2,599 | About $2,599 |
| Coyote CL-Series 42 inch | 5 Infinity burners | 100,000 combined | About $2,899 | About $2,899 |
| Sunstone Ruby Series Pro-Sear 36 inch | 4 I-burners | Up to 80,000 | About $2,860 | About $2,860 |
| Napoleon Prestige 500 RSIB | Main burners plus infrared rear and side burners | Not listed on our page | About $2,149 | About $2,099 |
What stands out
- The Coyote CL-Series grills are 304 stainless steel with a double-walled hood, interior lights, heat zone separators, and a safety valve with a thermocouple that shuts off gas if the flame goes out. Browse the full lineup on our Coyote Outdoor brand page.
- The Sunstone Ruby 36 inch is all 304 stainless with ignition on every burner, interior halogen lighting, and an included smoker box.
- The Napoleon Prestige 500 RSIB adds an infrared sear side burner, a rear rotisserie burner, and LED control knobs. It is the one pair here where the propane version is listed for a little less.
Planning a full island? Our built-in grill and outdoor kitchen guide covers cutouts, ventilation, and layout, and our list of outdoor kitchen sets for small patios helps if space is tight.
How to choose
- Choose natural gas if you already have a gas line near the patio, you grill often, and the grill will live in a built-in island.
- Choose propane if there is no gas line, you rent, you may move the grill, or the cost of running a line outweighs the fuel savings.
Still deciding on the cooking surface itself? See griddle vs grill. If you are weighing the same fuel question for a fire feature, our propane vs natural gas fire pit article covers that separately.
Frequently asked questions
Is a natural gas grill cheaper to run than a propane grill?
Usually a little. In our example using EIA averages, an 80,000 BTU grill on high cost about $2.04 per hour on natural gas (July 2026 price) versus about $2.31 on propane (October 2026 price).
Does propane taste different from natural gas?
Not noticeably. Both burn clean, so a smoker box or sear burner changes the taste far more than the fuel does.
Can I convert my propane grill to natural gas?
Only with the manufacturer’s conversion kit for your model, if one exists, installed by a licensed gas professional. Some brands do not allow conversion at all. Local code has the final word.
Which has more BTU, propane or natural gas?
Per unit, propane: about 91,452 Btu per gallon versus about 1,036 Btu per cubic foot for natural gas (EIA). The grill’s rated output is the same either way because orifices are sized for each fuel.
Not sure which version fits your patio? Call us at 866-777-2590, Mon to Fri 9AM to 6PM PST, and we can confirm specs and fuel type before you order. Orders of $999 or more ship with free freight shipping, and orders below that ship for a $200 flat rate. See our return and refund policy for details.
