Performer owners - 20LB tank conversion problems?

Pappy · Sep 5, 2011

Has anyone made the conversion using a 20LB propane tank instead of the 3LB disposable tank. The performer is a 2010 model. I know you can buy a hose the lets you attach the 20LB tank. I'm wondering if there are any safety issues when doing this. I would not have the tank near the kettle while grilling. Is there any problems with pressure or the flame area?
I'm curious to see you thoughts on this method.

colonel00 · Sep 5, 2011

As long as you have the proper regulator it should be fine. Is there a reason you don't want to use the smaller tanks? Harbor Freight sells an adapter to allow you to refill your small tanks from a 20lb tank.

http://www.harborfreight.com/propane-bottle-refill-kit-45989.html

Pappy · Sep 5, 2011

Not really. Other than I've gone through 3 tanks since I bought it about 2 months ago. I have a 20LB tank that I never use. Wally world sells the hose that hooks the 20LB tank to the spot where the 3LB tank connects.
Bigger is better, right? The American way.

mwmac · Sep 6, 2011

I tried a 20lb tank and the refill adapter from Harbor Freight and found it to be more trouble than it was worth to refill the bottles.(Need to turn the tank with bottle attached upside down in order to get any refill).

I got the hose to connect the tank directly to the Performer and never looked back. Only issue I had was if I turned off the tank valve between uses, I would have a problem at the next startup. Weber CS advised to leave the tank valve open all the time and to rely on the Performer valve for shutoff. Since then, never had an issue.

scchang · Aug 21, 2012

Is there any guideline regarding how close the tank can be to the kettle? I know I could remove the pull-out charcoal bin and put the tank there, but I'd like to keep the bin. I've found that the tank fits in between the bin and the kettle towards the back (photo attached). I'm concerned that this is too close to the kettle though. Any thoughts?

eribac · Aug 22, 2012

Pappy said:
Not really. Other than I've gone through 3 tanks since I bought it about 2 months ago. I have a 20LB tank that I never use. Wally world sells the hose that hooks the 20LB tank to the spot where the 3LB tank connects.
Bigger is better, right? The American way.

How long are you leaving the burner on? I use my Performer at least 4 times a week, and I can go 3-4 month on one 1lb disposable tank. I leave my burner on for 3 - 5 minutes tops to start my lump.

I've thought about he hose and larger tank as well but, I like the simplicity of the one pounders.

MisterChrister · Aug 22, 2012

mwmac said:
I tried a 20lb tank and the refill adapter from Harbor Freight and found it to be more trouble than it was worth to refill the bottles.(Need to turn the tank with bottle attached upside down in order to get any refill).

I got the hose to connect the tank directly to the Performer and never looked back. Only issue I had was if I turned off the tank valve between uses, I would have a problem at the next startup. Weber CS advised to leave the tank valve open all the time and to rely on the Performer valve for shutoff. Since then, never had an issue.

I've got a hose and regulator that are in great shape from a gasser I junked. Can I use this for a conversion? Or is there a problematic difference in the flow rate from one regulator to another?

El_Capitan · May 14, 2013

I use this setup. I used the coleman distribution tree. It serves 2 purposes. The first is to connect a 20 lbs tank directly to the performer. The second reason is for light, I attach a propane lantern to the top so at night I have plenty of light while grilling.

I have had zero problems using this setup for 2 years now.

http://i1318.photobucket.com/albums/t653/chris_ha1/patio/cover_zps857eb9d0.jpg?t=1368451046

pbj · May 14, 2013

Refilling bottles yourself CAN be dangerous. If it was me, I would get a hose with the proper regulator. Lowes, Home Depot, Menards, all have them.
http://coleman.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/8/~/refilling-a-propane-cylinder

jimstocks53 · May 14, 2013

The large tank is no closer to the fire than the small cylinder would be, so it should not be a safety problem. Just take extra care to make sure connections are good. I made a similar conversion for a Coleman portable gasser which we take for basecamp cooking. Beats changing little bottles in mid-cook.

gaspipe1 · May 14, 2013

I bought the adapter hose at HD from day 1. Never had any issues, the only thing I did was add a metal hose to cover the rubber hose. I read somewhere that squirrels love to chew on it. works great, would still buy a weber chimney starter as a back up.

Performer owners - 20LB tank conversion problems?

Pappy

is One Chatty Farker

colonel00

Quintessential Chatty Farker

Pappy

is One Chatty Farker

mwmac

is one Smokin' Farker

scchang

Guest

Attachments

eribac

Knows what a fatty is.

MisterChrister

Quintessential Chatty Farker

El_Capitan

Well-known member

pbj

Full Fledged Farker

jimstocks53

Take a breath!

gaspipe1

Full Fledged Farker

Similar threads