I just was given an older propane cookstove, and I have natural gas at my house. The stove is a Hardwick Century II, model number SM 9642, and all the tag on it says is to refer to the installation manual for instructions on adjusting for NG. Well, all i can find online is that Hardwick is no longer made, Maytag took them over and then killed the brand after a few years.
Does anybody know what parts I need to get this set up to use?

 

You would just need to change out the orifices but finding them might be a little hard. I have searched google for a few minutes now and have come up empty. I'll keep looking and let you know if I find anything.

 

Another way to do it is just to enlarge the opening in the orifice

 

Yeah that would probably be the easiest because I doubt you will be able to find an orifice. But...how much would you open it? Does it matter?

 

The more you open it the more fire you will get, I've never done it but thats how my dad did his bbq and it was too much, probably could find some literature on it somewhere online.

 

Here's a site that may help:

http://www.rekitchen.com/stoves/brands/hardwick.html

 

Yeah, that's about the only info I was able to find online. I'll probably go to Maytag and see if any of their newer stuff uses the same type of orifice or even if they might have an NG kit for this stove still. From what I've found, it's not even ten years old, that article gave them impression that it was a much older unit.

 

Check all the access areas. Most stoves come with a conversion kit.

 

Not this one, unfortunately. I checked all over, in, and under the thing and nada.

 

I would go a drill bit just above the size of the hole now. I have to convert fireplaces with the factory kits. There are three different parts to convert. I can try to get some pictures at work tomorrow to show the parts. A stove may be a little bit different but I doubt it.

Off the top of my head, there is an orifice where the gas comes from the wall to the stove and then an orifice where the gas comes out at the pilot. I also have to replace one in the burner tube. If you look at the regulator there is a square piece with 4 screws that looks similar to the accelerator pump on a ford carb. That diaphragm gets replaced also.

 

You could try checking with an appliance service or parts store and see if they have any recommendations.

 

I tried that at sears a few years ago. They would not even talk unless I was an authorized plumber.

 

I seem to remember that some older books had a btu/hole size chart for situations like this, but with all of the liability issues these days I'm sure that those are no longer available.

You might check with a smaller appliance store. They might have some qualified service folks who know this stuff -- although they might insist on doing the work.

Another option might be a furnace service outfit.

I'm sure that it's not rocket science, but you're pretty much shafted if you make it too big. since you won't have any other parts.

Good luck and be careful

 

google "propane natural gas orifice size".....

 

I was just looking at my instructions for my stove and it reads that if I want to
convert it to LPG, to call a certified LP gas installer.

I think my stove came with an LPG orifice and instructions,
but it's in an envelope taped to the back of the stove, where I can't get to it.

Jared, don't suppose you know someone in the LPG business that might be able to help you.