Has anyone converted a regular kettle over to gas?

[Duke]

If so is there a package that Weber or someone else sells?

[glrasmussen]

Shaun, I found this YouTube Video, I know you could do better.

Home made...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXNv9LhXt64

I think you would have to purchase a true Weber conversion from boys down under...
Just like colors, not available here in the US.

[Duke]

Thanks GL, So they actually sell a complete unit for it in Oz? I wonder how hot they get? I wouldn't mind turning a kettle into a gasser for pizzas and for times when I want to just heat things up outside like in the summer when the house gets hot.

[glrasmussen]

Thanks GL, So they actually sell a complete unit for it in Oz? I wonder how hot they get? I wouldn't mind turning a kettle into a gasser for pizzas and for times when I want to just heat things up outside like in the summer when the house gets hot.

When I googled it, I found on the another site an old thread where somebody had one sent in from OZ.
They have burning bans in OZ and can only use gas grills during these periods. They say they
are only used for roasting? Just a high and low temp, but did not find an actual reading as to how hot.
May even need to have a mod done. Some convert, do to the cost of charcoal also, 1/5th the cost per cook, they say.

[Hogsy]

I've had a couple but have never used it , I use my gas kettle for pizza
They retail for $120 and fit any OT , can be installed and removed within 5 mins
SS burners and control knob clips onto front leg

[Craig]

Someone over on another site had an 18.5 that was converted to gas. Wouldnt a performer burner work for that kind of a conversion?

[Duke]

Any idea how high the temps go? I am hoping to bake pizzas on it.

[HankB]

Someone over on another site had an 18.5 that was converted to gas. Wouldnt a performer burner work for that kind of a conversion?

A performer burner is basically a gas spud. One single outlet designed to produce a flame that reaches up through the grates to the coals in the baskets or chimney. The gas stoves have tubes with rows of orifices that produce short flames that do not reach above the grate.

I highly recommend watching CL for a gasser. I got a nice one with SS grates and flavorizers for $0. Cover didn't fit.  You get a grill designed from the ground up to burn gas and probably for less than it would cost to convert a kettle. A gas grill is frequently enough useful to be worth adding to your arsenal.

And in addition, since the air can be cut off in a kettle, it presents an explosion hazard should the burner flame out. Gas grills are not nearly so tight to reduce (but not completely prevent) this problem. A charcoal grill controls temperature by metering air whereas a gas grill meters fuel. Mixing the two is not a good idea. Unless you like that kind of excitement.

[Duke]

They make a conversion in Oz that looks like what I want. I wonder what it says about the explosive possibilities?

[HankB]

They make a conversion in Oz that looks like what I want. I wonder what it says about the explosive possibilities?

If you're doubting the explosive possibility... <shrug> Having worked in an integrated steel mill as a combustion engineer, I have professional experience with that sort of thing.

[Duke]

No doubts at all. Especially not after this.

http://weberkettleclub.com/forums/off-topic/hanna-storm-grilling-accident/

[G]

Duke - this may spark some ideas....the resulting pie looks awfully tasty.

http://www.pizzamaking.com/forum/index.php?topic=4753.0

[Duke]

Thanks G, yeah I drop by there every now and again. I'm not part of that crew though. 

[Hogsy]

I gave the gas conversion a run tonight in the kettle to test the heat output
I set it up in a Mastertouch and after 5 mins on high the lid thermometer had maxed out
There were no grates or food in the kettle I just wanted to see how hot it could get
Should be able to do a great pizza with this conversion

[glrasmussen]

Duke, stole this from the charbroil cast iron thread. Look at the King Cooker 6" replacement. They also have a regulator kit with adjustment. It would just need an extension to get the heat away from the hose. Some type of diffuser might be needed.(CI or fire bricks) Just some options.

http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/TopNavCatalogSearch?Ntt=replacement+burner&Ntk=All&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&N=0&storeId=10151&langId=-1&catalogId=10051

http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Product_10151_10051_27494_-1?ICID=CRT:0260-40037-0002