Don’t know how to connect gas grill to RV? You’re not alone, as many RVers have been having trouble with this task for years. However, it’s a problem that people have kept trying to solve because grilling is synonymous with RVing.
But don’t worry because you’ve come to the right place. I’ll walk you through two simple methods of doing it. These discussions will ensure you’re cooking burgers and hot dogs for the entire campground in the near future.
Let’s not waste any more time and dive right into our selected methods. I promise, any difficulties you were having with the task will soon disappear into thin air.
How to Connect Gas Grill to RV
You can connect a gas grill to an RV in various ways. But these following two methods should make things easy for whoever’s in the right situation to try them.
Option 1
Our first method is for RVers that have an LP quick connection within their motorhomes. It’s a handy addition because you won’t have to make so many modifications to your propane tank. Here’s a shortlist of the things required for this method:
- LP quick connector
- LP hose
- A grill connector to work with the connection
Once you’ve gathered these items, proceed to step number one. Let’s make sure your RV trips include some high-quality grilling soon!
Step 1: Connect the Hose to Your LP Quick Connector Valve
The first thing to understand is your LP hose has two sides. One of them will have a valve, and the other side won’t have it. As you might expect, the valve end will allow you to start or stop the gas supply.
Once you’ve located the non-valve end, remove the dust cover from your LP quick connector’s valve. Proceed to turn it off and connect the hose to it with the non-valve end.
Step 2: Attach the Hose’s Other Side to the Grill Connector
After connecting one side to the LP quick connector valve, do the same with the valved side and the grill connector. Please remember to choose the hose’s size according to the measurements of your LP and grill connector. If you don’t, leakage could become an issue.
Step 3: Turn Both Sides On and Starting Grilling
Once both sides are connected, it becomes a simple matter of turning them on. You can then start grilling food like you’re back at home. It won’t take long until you’re having all your fellow RVers over for an exquisite barbecue inside the campground.
Option 2
The second option will require doing some mods to your motorhome’s propane tank. You’ll need to pick up some equipment that’ll help accommodate you when transferring gas to the grill. Here’s a quick rundown of the necessary equipment for this process:
- External propane tank adapter (our recommended product)
- Gas grill hose with two sizes
- Wrenches with sizes of 7/16, ⅜, and 9/16
- Leak detector
You’ll need to research to ensure you’re buying equipment that meshes with your situation. If you buy the wrong sized equipment, this entire process won’t work and could be dangerous.
Step 1: Preparation and Dismantling the Connection
Your first step is to inspect the propane regulator for any rust. If there are any rust build-ups, proceed to remove them. You should then use a ⅜ wrench and a 7/16 wrench to remove the regulator’s hose and valve connection. But remain careful as gas can arise when removing it.
Step 2: Construct the External Propane Tank Adapter
There will be a position leftover by step one. Assemble your external propane tank adapter and place it into this location. Most of these devices will have four positions that offer different spaces to attach valves and hoses.
On the adapter’s right side will be a position where your rig’s propane regulator connects. The left side will be where you link your RV’s permanent propane supply. You’ll use the top place to connect your gas grill. Meanwhile, the remaining space is for attaching the external propane tank.
Step 3: Cover The Regulator and Tighten the Hoses
Once your adapter’s assembled, I’d suggest using a small box to cover the regulator for protection. Use your 7/16 and 9/16 wrenches to tighten things. But remain cautious of any gas leaking and check out the connections again before moving onto the next step.
Step 4: Use a Leak Detector
You should now turn on the gas and spray a leak detector onto the connections. If there are leakage issues, you’ll notice bubbling. Anyone who doesn’t detect any leaks should turn off the gas and use a tissue to remove the leak detector solution.
Step 5: Finish the Connections and Enjoy Your Grilling
Use your short hose to attach a portable propane tank to the adapter. From there, use your longer hose to connect between the tank’s top pieces and its other end to your grill. Check the entire assembly carefully, and then the grilling can commence.
How to Use Propane Tanks Properly
Of course, using a gas grill will require knowing how to use propane tanks safely. It’s essential not to take these tanks lightly as you’re dealing with potentially dangerous situations. I’m going to go over two tips, which help ensure nothing bad happens when using them.
Routinely Check Your RV Propane Tanks
Once the system’s assembled, it’s essential to check it at least twice every year. I’d suggest keeping close tabs on the outdoor conditions. The elements could cause wear and tear between your propane tank connections, which might result in leaks.
As you know from option 2, the simplest method of finding a leak is using a spraying solution. It’s an easy action of spraying it on any suspected leaking area and see whether bubbling occurs. If it does, you’ll need to fix the leak immediately.
Equip and Maintain Safety Detectors
Anyone who intends on using propane tanks needs to take several precautions. One of the most basic would be equipping propane, carbon monoxide, and fire detectors on your rig. These devices will ensure you’re alerted to any dangerous issues.
But these detectors won’t do any good if you don’t maintain them. Read through their instruction manuals to ensure you can keep them operational. Honestly, these detectors could be the one thing to keep you from facing something tragic.
How Do I Clean My RV Gas Grill After Using It
Most gas grill manufacturers will include detailed instructions about their cleaning processes in the included manuals. As a result, you’ll only need to read and follow those directions to keep your grill in tip-top shape.
The good news is most experts agree that deep cleaning a gas grill is only necessary once or twice a year. It won’t be a constant burden on your RVing trips, like cleaning other products onboard your rig.
Conclusion
Did you enjoy our tutorial on how to connect gas grills to an RV? If you did, let us know in our comment section, and please share the article with your fellow RV owners. We want to make sure everyone can have a barbecue and cook some burgers whenever they want. Thanks for reading!
Hi, I am Dane Heldt, a full-time RVer since 2016. I am always passionate about building and joining an RV community where people share their love for RV lives. This blog is a dream of mine, as I can finally share my experiences to help people who want to start living differently. So, feel free to reach out to me!