Propane (LP) Conversion Instructions
This document provides instructions for converting GE, GE Profile, and Cafe gas cooktops from natural gas to propane (LP) gas. Ensure you follow all safety precautions and instructions carefully.
Safety Warnings
- ⚠️ Explosion Hazard: Death or serious injury can result from failure to follow these instructions.
- Service should only be performed by a qualified service technician.
- Shut off gas supply and disconnect electrical power before servicing.
- Reconnect all grounding devices after service.
- Replace all parts and panels before operating.
- ⚠️ Do not operate the cooktop with propane (LP) gas before converting the pressure regulator and burner orifices. Failure to do so could cause high flames and toxic fumes, resulting in serious injury.
Tools Required
- Flat bladed screwdriver (blade approximately 3/32" across)
- Nut drivers: 1/4", 9/32", or 7mm
Conversion Procedure
The pressure regulator and burner orifices are factory-set for natural gas. To use propane (LP) gas, these components must be converted. The propane (LP) orifices are attached to the regulator packaged with the unit.
- Disconnect all electrical power at the main circuit breaker or fuse box.
- Shut off the gas supply to the cooktop by closing the manual shut-off valve.
Converting the Pressure Regulator
- Use an adjustable wrench to unscrew the hex-nut cap from the pressure regulator.
- Turn the plastic cap 1/4 turn to disassemble.
- Turn the plastic cap over. Align the tabs of the plastic cap with the slots of the hex-nut cap. Insert the cap and rotate 1/4 turn to reassemble. The letters "LP" should now be visible on the top of the plastic cap.
- Screw the hex-nut cap back onto the pressure regulator.
To loosen cap: Rotate cap counter-clockwise.
Converting the Cooktop Burners
- Remove the top grates, burner caps, and burner heads.
- Using a 7mm or 9/32" nut driver, remove the top burner orifices. These are accessed through the burner opening in the base.
- NOTICE: Save the removed natural gas orifices for future use.
- Remove the propane (LP) orifices from the bracket attached to the regulator. The top surface of each orifice is engraved for identification. Use the table and figure to determine the correct placement of the propane (LP) orifices.
- Using a 7mm or 9/32" nut driver, install the propane (LP) orifices in their precise locations. Ensure orifices are securely screwed into the gas inlets to prevent leakage.
- Install the old (natural gas) orifices into the metal bracket along with these instructions, and replace onto the regulator for possible future conversion.
Orifice Identification:
- '95' denotes a 0.95mm orifice size opening.
- 'L' denotes an LP (Propane) orifice.
- 'N' denotes a Natural Gas orifice.
Checking Surface Burners
To check burner operation:
- Push and turn a knob to the [LITE] position. A clicking sound indicates proper ignition system operation.
- When lighting any burner, sparks will appear at all burners, but gas flows only from the selected one.
- Once air is purged from the supply line, the burner should light within 4 seconds.
- After the burner lights, rotate the knob out of the [LITE] position.
- Try each burner in succession until all have been checked.
Quality of Flames
Visually determine flame quality. Normal burner flames should look like:
- (A) Soft blue flames: Normal for natural gas.
- (B) Yellow tips on outer cones: Normal for propane (LP) gas.
Long, bright yellow flames are not normal. Normal flames may show signs of an orange tint when well heated or signs of flickering orange due to particles in the gas or air.
Adjusting Low Flame Setting on Cooktop Burners
Low setting adjustments must be made with two other burners in operation on a medium setting. This prevents the low flame from being set too low, which could cause it to extinguish when other burners are turned on.
- Turn on surface burners to a medium setting.
- Turn the knob on the burner being adjusted to [LO].
- Remove the knob. Insert a small flat blade screwdriver into the valve shaft. Turn clockwise as far as possible while maintaining a stable flame. Repeat for all valves.
- If the flame appears too low or unstable, slowly turn the adjustment screw counter-clockwise until a stable flame exists for each burner.
- Additionally, for each burner being adjusted, quickly open and close the cabinet doors while observing the flame. If the flame is extinguished, turn the adjustment screw counter-clockwise for a larger flame. Repeat door openings until the flame is stable.
Burner Output Ratings and Orifice Sizes
The following tables provide BTU/HR ratings and orifice sizes for different models when converted to Natural Gas (NG) and Propane (LP) gas.
JGP5036 - Burner Output Ratings: BTU/HR
Propane (LP) Gas (10" W.C.P.)
| BURNER | BTU RATE | ORIFICE SIZE (mm) | MARKING |
|---|---|---|---|
| LF | 9,500 | 0.91 | 91L |
| LR | 9,500 | 0.91 | 91L |
| C | 15,000 | 1.15 | 115L |
| RR | 5,000 | 0.66 | 66L |
| RF | 15,000 | 1.15 | 115L |
Natural Gas (NG) (5" W.C.P.)
| BURNER | BTU RATE | ORIFICE SIZE (mm) | MARKING |
|---|---|---|---|
| LF | 9,500 | 1.33 | 133N |
| LR | 9,500 | 1.33 | 133N |
| C | 15,000 | 1.73 | 173N |
| RR | 5,000 | 0.97 | 97N |
| RF | 15,000 | 1.73 | 173N |
PGP7036 and CGP7036 - Burner Output Ratings: BTU/HR
Propane (LP) Gas (10" W.C.P.)
| BURNER | BTU RATE | ORIFICE SIZE (mm) | MARKING |
|---|---|---|---|
| LF | 9,500 | 0.91 | 91L |
| LR | 9,500 | 0.91 | 91L |
| C | 18,000 | 1.25 | 125L |
| RR | 5,000 | 0.66 | 66L |
| RF | 15,000 | 1.15 | 115L |
Natural Gas (NG) (5" W.C.P.)
| BURNER | BTU RATE | ORIFICE SIZE (mm) | MARKING |
|---|---|---|---|
| LF | 9,500 | 1.33 | 133N |
| LR | 9,500 | 1.33 | 133N |
| C | 18,000 | 1.93 | 193N |
| RR | 5,000 | 0.97 | 97N |
| RF | 15,000 | 1.73 | 173N |
Special Notes and Notices
- SPECIAL NOTE: To convert the cooktop back to natural gas, reverse the instructions given for making propane (LP) adjustments.
- NOTICE: Once the conversion is complete and confirmed, fill out the propane (LP) sticker and include your name, organization, and date of conversion. Apply the sticker to the cooktop near the regulator to alert future users that the appliance has been converted to propane (LP). If converting back to natural gas from propane (LP), please remove the sticker so others know the appliance is set for natural gas.
