# Natural Gas or Propane: Ordering Kitchen Equipment for the Right Gas

> Gas kitchen equipment is set up for natural gas or propane, not both. How to find out which you have, order the right version and handle a conversion.

Explainer by Norpex. Published 2026-10-02, updated 2026-10-02.
Canonical: https://norpex.ca/guides/natural-gas-vs-propane-equipment

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Pictured: [American Range – 60″ Stainless Steel Restaurant Range 12″ Griddles and 8 Burners With 26.5″ 2 Convection Oven – AR-12G-8B-CC](https://norpex.ca/product/american-range-60-stainless-steel-restaurant-range-12-griddles-and-8-burners-with-26-5-2-convection-oven-ar-12g-8b-cc)

Gas kitchen equipment is set up at the factory for either natural gas or propane, because the two gases are supplied at different pressures and need different orifices and regulator settings. Confirm which gas your site has before ordering, state it on the order, and leave any conversion to a licensed gas fitter.

## Key takeaways

- Natural gas and propane need different orifices and regulator settings; an appliance set for one must not run on the other.
- Confirm your gas type with the utility, the landlord or a licensed gas fitter before ordering.
- State the gas type on every order and quote, and check the rating plate when the equipment arrives.
- Conversions use the manufacturer's parts and instructions and are done by a licensed gas fitter.
- Your total gas load has to fit your gas service; a gas fitter checks the supply before new equipment goes in.

## Why the gas type matters

Natural gas and propane are both used in commercial kitchens, but they are not interchangeable. They are supplied at different pressures and carry different amounts of energy for the same volume of gas, so an appliance is fitted with orifices and a regulator setting matched to one of them.

An appliance running on the wrong gas does not burn properly. Flames can be too large or too small, burners can soot up, and incomplete combustion produces carbon monoxide. That is a safety problem first and an equipment problem second, so gas type is something to settle before the order, not after delivery.

## Find out which gas your site has

Ask your gas utility, your landlord or property manager, or a licensed gas fitter. Many urban sites are on natural gas, while sites without a natural gas main, food trucks and some rural kitchens run on propane, but there is no rule you can rely on by location.

If the kitchen already has gas appliances, their rating plates show which gas each one is set up for. A rating plate tells you how that appliance is set, not what the building supply is, so confirm with the utility or a gas fitter as well. Write the answer down and use it every time you order.

## Ordering the right version

Many commercial gas appliances are sold in a natural gas version and a propane version, and the gas type is part of the order. Some ship set up for one gas with a conversion kit included or available from the manufacturer. State your gas type on every order and every quote request, even when it seems obvious.

All sales are final, with no returns or exchanges, so an order placed for the wrong gas is an expensive mistake to fix. When the equipment arrives, check the rating plate against your gas type before anyone connects it, and contact Norpex right away if it does not match.

## Converting between gases

Some appliances can be converted from one gas to the other with the manufacturer's conversion kit: new orifices, a regulator change or adjustment, and sometimes other parts. Not every model can be converted, and the manual or the manufacturer will say which can.

A conversion is not a do-it-yourself job. Your provincial gas safety authority sets who may convert and install gas appliances, which in practice means a licensed gas fitter working to the manufacturer's instructions. The fitter then checks the appliance's operation and updates its labelling as the instructions require.

Warranty terms vary by manufacturer. Before converting, read what the warranty says about conversions, and keep the paperwork from the fitter with the appliance's records.

## Your gas supply and total load

Every gas appliance has an input rating, usually in BTU per hour, on its rating plate and specification sheet. Add up the input ratings of every appliance that may run at the same time; the gas meter, the regulator and the pipe sizes have to supply that total at the right pressure.

Adding a range, a fryer or a second oven to an existing kitchen can push the total past what the supply was sized for, and the symptom is burners that weaken when everything is on. Have a licensed gas fitter check the supply before new equipment is ordered, not after it arrives.

## Connections, shut-offs and ventilation

Appliances on casters, such as fryers, ranges and griddles that are pulled out for cleaning, are commonly connected with a commercial quick-disconnect gas connector and a restraining cable that stops the appliance from straining the hose. Each appliance should have an accessible manual shut-off valve.

Gas cooking appliances need ventilation and make-up air. The requirements come from your local building and fire codes, and the manual lists the clearances the manufacturer requires. Your gas fitter and your local authorities will know what applies to your site.

## Altitude

Gas appliances may need adjustment at high elevation, because the air holds less oxygen. Manufacturers publish the elevation above which their equipment needs adjusting and how to do it. If your kitchen is at a high elevation, raise it with the manufacturer before ordering, and have the gas fitter make any adjustment at installation.

## Common questions

### Can I convert a natural gas appliance to propane myself?

No. Conversions use the manufacturer's kit and instructions, and your provincial gas safety authority sets who may do the work, which in practice means a licensed gas fitter. An incorrect conversion can cause poor combustion and carbon monoxide.

### How do I find out whether my kitchen has natural gas or propane?

Ask your gas utility, your landlord or property manager, or a licensed gas fitter. Rating plates on existing appliances show how those appliances are set, but confirm the building supply rather than relying on them alone.

### What if the equipment that arrives is set for the wrong gas?

Do not connect it. Check the rating plate when the equipment arrives, and contact Norpex right away if the gas type does not match your order. A licensed gas fitter can tell you whether that model can be converted.

### Does converting an appliance affect the warranty?

It depends on the manufacturer. Read the warranty terms before converting, use the manufacturer's conversion parts and instructions, and keep the gas fitter's paperwork with the appliance's records.

### What does the rating plate on a gas appliance tell me?

The rating plate shows the gas type the appliance is set for, its input rating and other details a gas fitter needs. Check it on delivery and keep it readable, because inspectors and service technicians use it too.

## Related guides

- [Gas, Electric or Induction: Choosing Fuel for a Commercial Kitchen](https://norpex.ca/guides/gas-electric-or-induction)
- [Commercial Range Buying Guide: Gas vs Electric, Burners and Bases](https://norpex.ca/guides/commercial-range-buying-guide)
- [What to Measure Before Ordering Commercial Kitchen Equipment](https://norpex.ca/guides/measuring-before-ordering)
- [NSF, CSA, cUL and ETL Marks Explained for Canadian Kitchens](https://norpex.ca/guides/certification-marks-explained)

## Shop the catalogue

- [Gas Range](https://norpex.ca/products/gas-range)
- [Fryers](https://norpex.ca/products/fryers)
- [Griddles](https://norpex.ca/products/griddles)
- [Charbroilers](https://norpex.ca/products/charbroilers-grills-and-broilers)
- [Cooking Equipment](https://norpex.ca/products/cooking)