How to convert a Peerless Premier Gas Range from natural gas to propane gas operation (with Video)

Many of our customers purchase a propane refrigerator and a propane gas range to match. The propane refrigerators are all shipped with the correct orifice set up for propane gas. The natural gas version is available as an option or pre-built that way at the factory. The ranges by Peerless Premier are not shipped this way. All Peerless Premier Gas Ranges are shipped set up for natural gas operation and can be converted to propane gas operation during installation at the home. All the parts come with the ranges and it takes a few minutes to do the conversion.

The conversion is simple for a person that is handy with a wrench. We have compiled some notes and links to videos below to help with the process. Most of our off grid customers will purchase models that operate non-electric. These units are typically battery spark ignition and have either “Open Burners” or “Sealed Burners” on the range top. Some of the steps are different depending on which burner type you have. All the ovens are the same.

The conversion from natural gas to propane gas consists of four basic steps.

1. Changing the regulator pressure.
2. Adjusting the oven orifice.
3. Adjusting the oven pilot from Natural Gas to LP Gas.
4. Adjusting the top burners (open burner models) or Changing the top burner orifices (Sealed burner models)

Below are some notes and links to the conversion steps. Start by preparing the range top and oven for the conversion process by clicking here and watching this video. Here you will learn how to remove the oven floor and baffle to gain access to the oven burner and how to remove the range top on the open burner models. Another method of reaching the oven orifice is through the broiler compartment. Watch the this video showing you how to remove the broiler drawer.

 
Tools you will need:

• Medium to large adjustable wrench
• ½” open end wrench
• Small flat blade screw driver
• Small flashlight
• Nut driver with 9/32” socket (Sealed burner models only)
• Phillips head screw driver (Sealed burner models only) 

Changing the regulator pressure for “Open Burner Models”
Click here to watch the “Gas Regulator Conversion” video (Open Burner)



Changing the regulator pressure for “Sealed Burner Models”
Click here to watch the “LP Gas Regulator Conversion” video (Sealed Burner)


Adjusting the oven Orifice.
Click here to watch the “Oven Orifice Adjustment” video

Notes – We suggest to, convert both the oven burner orifice and the pilot gas conversion screw (Right side adjustment screw on the oven thermostat) prior to testing the oven flame and adjusting the pilot flame.


Adjusting the oven pilot
Click here to watch the oven pilot conversion and pilot adjustment video

Note – Use a small flash light to locate the screw through the control panel hole.


Converting the top burners on open burner models
Click here to watch how to convert the top burner orifices on open burner models

Notes – Use a ½” open end wrench. Sometimes a 13mm wrench is easier to use if the orifices are tight on the ½” wrench. It is not necessary to remove the burners. This can be done with the burners still in place. If you have the 5th burner model, don’t forget the middle burner.


Converting the top burners on sealed burner models
Click here to watch how to change the orifices on the sealed burner models

Notes – Fold up a small piece of tape and put it into the socket in order to hold the orifice while lowering it into the burner. Or use a pair of needle nose pliers to start the orifice into the threads.

More Information:

Peerless Gas Range For Sale

Gas Refrigerators For Sale

Off-Grid Living Appliances For Sale

Propane Refrigerator Transporting and Storage

Whether it be a brand new purchase or just re-locating a propane refrigerator, transporting the unit is not as complicated as some might believe.  The gas refrigerator or gas freezer is not built with the same components as an electric refrigerator. The rules of not laying the fridge on the side and keeping them upright at all times does not apply to the gas fridge absorption system.  In fact, laying a gas refrigerator on the side while transporting has no long term affects to the operation, performance, or lifespan of the unit.  Although some brands may need a little more care than others, all gas fridges can be transported or moved on their side. Laying them on the back or even the front door is not out of the question but if you have a choice, we suggest the side lying down. For most brands, we suggest the side to the left as you look at the fridge door be the side to the floor.

Why do we suggest laying the gas refrigerator on one specific side? For two reasons. First -  it is possible that in some brands, the solution within the sealed absorption system may get trapped in the wrong location and limit or block the circulation of fluids during operation. In this case, a burping procedure must be used to free the “Lock” or “Blockage”. This simple process is explained here - Burping Your Propane Refrigerator. This only happens in some brands in some cases. We find that for these brands, laying the left side down keeps the fluid where it needs to be, and when standing the fridge back upright again, a “Lock” or Blockage” is less likely. We find that the EZ Freeze brand is not susceptible to this type of “Lock” or “Blockage”. In fact, of all the years we have been selling EZ Freeze gas refrigerators, we have never seen this happen.  Secondly – The side of the fridge is a flat surface and will hold up better during transporting and be less prone to damage compared to the front or back. Extra padding is always good practice to avoid damage to the thin sheet metal cabinet.

Long term or short term storage of a propane refrigerator both fall under the same guidelines. The gas fridge being out of service or shut off will have no short or long term ill affect. If the gas refrigerator is being shut down from operation, the most important thing to consider is to remove any moisture from the interior to prevent mold buildup. Putting some charcoal inside the fridge or freezer compartment will help absorb moisture and odor while in storage. In a pinch, old newspaper will work as well. Leaving the doors open is an option but no recommended if critters are present and will invade the space.

In freezing climates the unit will withstand sub freezing temperatures. Do not leave canned drinks inside the fridge as they will explode and have been known to cause damage to the interior. Even if the door is closed, the cans will freeze.

Another helpful hint is to spray an insect repellent around the burner box to deter insects such as spiders from nesting in the burner . An insect nest in the burner will cause performance issues and possibly a danger upon startup. Always check your flame condition immediately after startup from a storage period. The flame should be a bright blue at the base and have a clear tip with no yellow or white color. This clear tip is usually at the very top of the flame located up inside the flue exhaust and will require a mirror at the floor facing upwards to inspect it. If a yellow or white tip is present, maintenance is required. Find some tips here - Maintenance for Gas Refrigerators.

More Information:
Gas Refrigerators for Sale
Gas Fridge Comparison
All Off-Grid Appliances

The EZ Freeze Gas Refrigerator Story

The EZ Freeze Refrigerator company came to life in a small Amish community in Northern Indiana. Developing the product from his vast knowledge gained from working within the RV refrigeration business, Homer Schwartz began building propane refrigerators for his fellow Amish. The Amish communities believe in independent living off grid and one area of this lifestyle that needed progress was in home refrigeration without the use of electricity. At the time, there were very few options available. Using an old 1950’s Servel gas fridge or a small gas refrigerator from an RV were the only possibilities. The Amish needed something larger due to their large families.

The first production EZ Freeze gas refrigerator was 12 cubic feet in size. This unit was produced using an RV cooling unit and a cabinet designed and built by EZ Freeze. The unit proved to be too costly to produce and too small for the larger Amish families. A new direction was taken for production of the LP refrigerators. In order to increase the capacity of food storage, a larger cabinet needed to be sourced and the cooling unit absorption system  size needed to be increased. Homer decided to design and build his own cooling unit that was capable of cooling up to 21 cubic feet of capacity. With this accomplished, he could now utilize cabinet boxes made by electric refrigerator producers that incorporated the new high efficiency insulation package. The large capacity propane gas refrigerator was born.

Production of these larger units started with a 15 cubic foot model and shortly afterward the 19 cubic foot model was added. Realizing that the super high performance cooling unit could handle even more capacity, Homer pushed the size to the maximum and introduced the largest propane refrigerator in the world. The EZ Freeze EZ-21 Gas Refrigerator.

With 5 sizes and 13 model refrigerator units in production, EZ Freeze expanded the product line and bought an existing propane freezer company from a fellow Amish. The Blizzard Gas Freezers were now added to the EZ Freeze production line. The line was now at 17 models and the factory could not keep up with demand. EZ Freeze is now the largest gas refrigerator manufacture in the world. The factory was working at full capacity and selling every piece they could make. The decision was made to build a new facility and expand.

In spring of 2015, EZ Freeze will be opening their new 20,000 square foot facility and ramping up production to meet and eventually stay ahead of the demand. Improvements to the existing production line are in the works and new products are being developed. Stay tuned for up coming exciting news about EZ Freeze Gas Refrigerators.

More Information

Warehouse Appliance

EZ Freeze Refrigerators

Absorption Refrigeration