A gas fireplace is not designed to burn wood; burning wood in it could be a fire hazard, or, at the very least, fill your home with smoke. Some gas fireplaces have all the necessary safety features to burn wood if you wish to convert the fireplace entirely to a wood–burning version.
Keeping this in consideration, can you put wood in a gas fireplace?
Yes, a gas fireplace is perfectly safe to burn normal wood in. And you don't have to buy those Duraflame logs, just load in your wood and light the gas for five or so minutes and then turn it off and tend to your nice wood burning fireplace.
One may also ask, how much does it cost to change a gas fireplace to wood burning? It costs $100 to $300 to convert a gas fireplace to wood. Switching a wood fireplace to a gas insert is $2,280 to $4,030 because a flue has to be built and a gas line installed. A ventless gas fireplace will cost about $1,200 less to install.
Similarly, what kind of wood do you use for a gas fireplace?
If the fireplace is built to proper dimensions, the heat source (firewood or gas) should be recessed enough that any type wood could be used. Pine or poplar if you are going to paint it. If not pick a wood that goes with the existing look of the room.
What happens if you burn wood in a gas fireplace?
Burning wood in a gas fireplace will cause at least three bad things to happen. The heat will destroy the internal components of the gas fireplace. The smoke produced will not exit the undersized vent system, and fill the home with carbon monoxide and other undesirables.
Related Question Answers
How do you convert a gas fireplace to wood burning?
There is no way to convert a gas fireplace to burn wood, unless you are very lucky and the gas fireplace is an insert in a properly functioning solid fuel fireplace (in which case you basically just remove the insert, and have the fireplace inspected).
Is a wood burning fireplace better than gas?
Natural gas is a fairly inexpensive form of energy, so a gas fireplace is inexpensive to run. Wood–burning fireplaces cost about $190 annually to produce a number of BTUs similar to a gas fireplace. Both gas and wood–burning fireplaces lose heat up the chimney, although wood–burning fireplaces typically lose more.
Can fireplace be both gas and wood burning?
A gas fireplace is not designed to burn wood; burning wood in it could be a fire hazard, or, at the very least, fill your home with smoke. Some gas fireplaces have all the necessary safety features to burn wood if you wish to convert the fireplace entirely to a wood–burning version.
Do you need wood in a gas fireplace?
Gas logs are not safe to install in a gas fireplace. Gas logs are made to be installed in the wood burning fireplace. It is a way of converting these logs into gas and not to be “spruce up” in a poorly designed gas fireplace.
Is a gas fireplace dangerous?
Gas fireplaces are safe. But as with all gas appliances, they do produce carbon monoxide. If something goes wrong, carbon monoxide put the home's occupants at risk. Therefore, carbon monoxide detectors are a critical part of gas fireplace safety, even if you don't use the fireplace often.
How much does a fireplace inspection cost?
According to Andy Klotz of Angie's List, a standard chimney inspection costs about $100 to $250, depending on roof accessibility and the type of chimney inspected. Some chimney sweeps waive inspection fees if cleaning or repair work is done.
Can you roast marshmallows over a gas fire?
The real danger from roasting marshmallows over a gas fireplace is the extra calories increasing your waistline. Otherwise, there is no problem with a gas flame cooking the marshmallow. The same is true for natural gas as well as LPG (propane).
What types of wood should not be burned in a fireplace?
Types of Wood You Should Not Burn in Your Fireplace
- Soft wood. Soft wood from trees like cypress, pines, or firs burns very rapidly, creates a great deal of smoke, and rapidly coats your chimney with soot.
- Endangered species wood.
- Oleander.
- Mexican elder.
- Anything Named Poison.
- Driftwood.
Can a gas fireplace cause a fire?
Whenever you use a gas appliance in your home, you run the risk that excess carbon monoxide will poison your family or that an untended gas flame will cause a fire.
How much does it cost to run a gas fireplace?
It's really inexpensive to run a gas fireplace or insert. For instance, the Heat & Glo 6000, which is one of the most popular gas fireplaces of all time, costs a mere . 42 cents per hour* to operate. So, enjoying a fire for an entire evening can cost as little as $2.
What are fake logs in gas fireplaces made of?
Fake gas fireplace logs are made of ceramic or a similar material. These absorb high amounts of heat without being damaged. Without them, most of the heat from the burning gas would just escape out the vent. By retaining more heat, the ceramic provides warmth and comfort for your home.
How do you burn logs in a fireplace?
Steps
- Check that the damper is open.
- Air out the fireplace before lighting it.
- Check the draft.
- Set up the base of your fire with newspaper and other tinder.
- Stack kindling on your tinder in a grid.
- Stack one or two larger logs on top of your kindling base.
- Light the newspaper first.
- Open a window slightly.
Can you convert a wood fireplace to gas?
A wood-burning prefabricated fireplace will need a conversion kit, but masonry fireplaces have several options. These include converting the unit to use gas logs, using a gas fireplace insert , which also makes the fireplace much more efficient , or converting the fireplace to a vent-free appliance.
What are gas fireplaces made of?
A gas-burning appliance is designed to resemble real burning logs or other decorative pieces, such as stone, in a fireplace. Most are made from a ceramic or a refractory cement (cement made from brick) mixture. They're fire resistant and are designed to last for years.
What does a gas starter fireplace look like?
Gas starters make it easy to start a fire in a wood-burning fireplace. Consisting of a tube mounted under the grate, a gas starter uses natural gas to create flames through several small holes along its length. These flames light the wood; once the wood is well-lit, you can turn off the gas starter.
What are the different types of fireplaces?
There are four types of fireplaces: Wood-burning, gas-burning, electric and ethanol-burning fireplace. Wood-burning fireplaces are the traditional Laura Ingalls/old western style units. If you dreamed of having a crackling fire type of fireplace, this is the one for you.
How can I tell what model my fireplace is?
Model number: You can find your fireplace model number on your invoice, on the front cover of the installation manual, or on the serial number decal attached to the unit. Serial Number Decal Location: You can find the serial number for your unit on the metal decal attached to the unit.
Can you burn wood in a prefab fireplace?
The inside of a factory-built fireplace is usually made from solid sheets of metal. Some prefab fireplaces burn wood, some gas, some both. Be sure to only burn the correct fuel in your prefab fireplace box.
What is a gas insert fireplace?
Gas inserts are retrofitted wood-burning fireplaces that operate using gas. Inserts sit inside a metal box surrounded by a larger metal box that fits into the fireplace. The gas insert heats air in the area between these two boxes and then emits heat from its firebox.