How to convert a vintage Tappen stove to NG from propane.

[good-shepherd]

Friends of mine have a vintage Tappen stove, approximately a 1953 model.

Their street recently had natural gas service installed and they want to keep the stove and convert it from propane to NG.

Unfortunately the stove indicates "this appliance for use with LPG only"

Is there anyway convert this stove to NG?

They never use the oven just the top burners and those valve orifice fittings look like they could be easily drilled out to the proper size for NG.

-Thanks

 

[combo52]

Converting an older gas range from propane to NG

Yes this can be done fairly easily by someone that knows what they are doing, I have done many.

 

For the top burners you drill out the orifices adjust the gas shutters etc. For the oven you again drill out the main orifice and make a few adjustments to the pilot etc.

 

I would add a NG pressure regulator to the supply connection as well.

 

John L.

 

[sfh074]

How about ...

Convert from LP to Natural Gas

Gas appliance conversion: How to change over from liquid petroleum gas (LP or bottled gas) to natural (piped-in) gas for gas fired appliances in a building Advice for changing from LP gas to Natural gas in a building Advice for converting between Natural gas and LP gas in a building LP gas and...

inspectapedia.com

 

 

interesting article with lots of detail.

 

[lorainfurniture]

Before you drill

A lot of times the orifices can be unscrewed to allow more gas.

 

[good-shepherd]

add a NG pressure regulator

Okay, so this stove doesn't have a pressure regulator as built?

What size do the orifices need to be drilled out?

How does one adjust the pilot for the top burners? It is a tube with screw at the base, is that a set screw or for adjustment?

I'm a little concerned about wrenching on this stove more than absolutely necessary and having something break off in my hand.
Screws for the shutters look rusty, gas orifices don't look much better.

-Thanks

 

[lorainfurniture]

Not to be peddling my services on this site but I do specialize in vintage stoves and I do offer a virtual service call. I can guide you via FaceTime on how to properly adjust that stove. You just need some basic tools and decent lighting.

Lorainfurniture.com/talk

Or if you can post some detailed photos on here I can look and do my best.

Eugene

 

[good-shepherd]

post some detailed photos on here

Okay, thanks I'll get some photos.

I watched your video for adjusting burners on the Tappen Deluxe stove.

This model has the smaller clock bezel.

 

[combo52]

Converting an older gas range from LP to natural gas

The top pilots and oven pilot don’t need any conversion you simply adjust the size of them.

 

Gas ranges did not generally come with a pressure regulator until the mid-60s but it’s a good idea to add it to any older gas range that’s operating on natural gas.

 

Gas ranges this early usually do not have adjustable orifices for the burners some might in most cases you need to drill them out when going from LP to natural.

 

To figure out the drill size for the burners you have to look at the nameplate on the stove and figure out how many BTUs the different burners are, most older Tappans and usually had 12,000 BTU on the front maybe 8000 on the back, the oven burner somewhere between 16 and 22,000 probably but you need to look. Included is a picture of the orifice drill kit I carry on my service van so I can quickly and accurately make these conversions, it is amazing how often I use this kit, often a newer range needs slightly more gas to get an oven to light properly. I am also getting a lot of customers that want LESS BTUs on top burners mow that many gas ranges have ridiculously large burners, so I just install the LP orifice for the offending burner that comes with all newer ranges and drill it out out to a smaller size, usually I take a 15,000 BUT burner down to 12,000 BTUs etc.

 

Like Eugene I do this for a business, I will try to help here and there if you post pictures etc. I’m always willing to try to answer a question, but I normally bill i at $120 an hour plus an initial service fee if we come to your home.

 

Keep us posted will try to help but it’s complicated sometimes.

 

John L.

 

[good-shepherd]

drill size for the burners

The burners look like these:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-ST...=true&nordt=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

However, back burners are both small, approx 2-1/4" diameter across. Front has medium and large burners: 2-3/4" and 3-1/4" respectively. The orifice spuds do not look adjustable.

Stove name plate states 20,000 BTU input, (oven burner I assume).

-Thanks again

 

[good-shepherd]

Finally got around to taking some photos of gas orifices on my friends vintage Tappan Deluxe stove.

I was surprised to see it has a needle valve that extends into the orifice. From what I've read the flame height can be adjusted buy turning the orifice spud.

My question is: Can this be adjusted to run natural gas as is or will the orifices still need to be drilled out?

I'm thinking since the orifice holes are sized for propane no amount of adjustment with be enough for NG.

 

[combo52]

Burner Orifice Hood

The hole In photo 3 looks too small for Natural Gas, you can simply hook the range up to NG and see if the flame is large enough, if not you will likely have to drill out the holes.

 

John L.

 

[good-shepherd]

photo 3 looks too small for Natural Gas,

I agree.

No matter how far out the orifice is adjusted I don't see how it can meter enough NG to provide the correct BTU's.

However, once the orifices are drilled out to the right size for NG then maybe they could be adjusted for use with either fuel

 

[good-shepherd]

Success

with the Tappan stove NG conversion. I ordered identical (almost) gas orifices on Ebay and drilled those to the NG sizes. (I saved the original orifices in case NG prices sky rocket European style and they want to go back to propane).

I also went one drill size under on the large burner figuring I can go bigger if needed but not vice versa, that worked out well. No idea what W.C. the regulator is set to, it is adjustable between 4-8 W.C. but the flame heights were nearly perfect and I didn't have to adjust the air shutters.

Very easy to drill the orifices out BTW. I put the bit in an old drill chuck, lightly clamped the orifice in a vise, a few turns by hand and it was through.

Thanks to John and others for their help.