The 6 most common questions about Gas Logs

Beginning the process of shopping for a gas fireplace or a set of gas logs can be a bit daunting.  We have written a few other blogs to hopefully address some of the questions you may have in deciding which route to take.  However, we constantly come across the same 5 or 6 questions about gas logs that we hope to answer for you below!

**Disclaimer** - All work on any gas appliance should be done by a licensed, or under the supervision of, a licensed professional.  Any and all information provided by Casual Furniture World is for information and educational purposes only.

#1 - How do I arrange my gas logs?

Before this question can be answered you must first know if you have Vented or Vent Free Gas Logs.  If you have vented gas logs can, they may be positioned in many different ways according to your personal preference, although your owner's manual may have recommendations.  Vent Free gas logs require VERY specific placement and will often have pins or notches to make sure that the logs are sitting in exactly the right spot.  Your owner's manual will also have a detailed diagram for you to follow.

WARNING - misplaced vent-free gas logs can cause soot and carbon monoxide to enter the home.  

**The recent advent of Radiant Heat Vented Gas Logs does require specific log placement and arrangement for maximum heat output***.

#2 -  Do I have Natural Gas or Propane?

Although most gas logs and gas fireplaces are available in Natural Gas or Liquid Propane (LP), you must know what your home is supplied with.  If you live in an urban area, receive a bill from a gas utility company, and have no large cylindrical tank then you most likely have Natural Gas that is supplied by an underground pipe, similar to your water.  If you live in a rural area and have a large tank, either above or below ground that is filled by a 3rd party company then you most likely have Liquid Propane.

PRO TIP - if you have natural gas available in your area or neighborhood, your local gas company will often waive the fees for running gas to your house if you plan on adding 3 or more gas appliances.  The most common are a gas fireplace, gas hot water heater, and a gas stove.  

#3 - Can I convert my wood-burning fireplace to gas logs?

In most cases, the answer is a simple "yes".  However, it will take a qualified expert to help you determine if vented gas logs, vent-free gas logs or a direct vent unit is best for your home and to meet your needs.  Download our buying here to help you on your way.  A qualified professional will help to determine if and how a gas line can be run to your fireplace and will take into consideration the size of the space and the condition and type of the existing fireplace including the damper or flue.

#4 - How do I clean my gas fireplace logs?

Again, it is worth mentioning that most repairs and services on any gas appliance should be done by a qualified technician.  Vented gas logs that are made of concrete or a ceramic blend (NOT lightweight ceramic fiber) can be cleaned by removing the logs and gently scrubbing them with a soapy solution and a soft bristle brush.  Make sure that they are thoroughly rinsed and allowed to air dry before placing them back in the fireplace and turning the set on.  There is also a solution available (that works surprisingly well) that you simply spray onto the Vented Gas Logs once the fireplace has been on and the logs are hot.  

Light-weight ceramic logs should only be vacuumed off using a soft bristle brush attached to a handheld or ShopVac-type vacuum.  These logs are surprisingly brittle and easy to break, so you should take great care to be gentle using this process.  Also, water will most certainly damage ceramic-fiber logs.

***Casual Furniture World has not sold any vented or vent-free ceramic-fiber log sets since 2015***

#5 - How to light gas logs?  

All quality gas fireplaces will have a safety pilot light system.  These systems require that a strong and steady lighting flame (aka pilot light) be on for about 20 seconds before the system will allow gas to flow to the burner system.  This is the same system found on gas hot-water heaters and this system has 3 main safety features.  They prevent lighting of the unwanted build-up of gas, "monitor" the oxygen level in the room, and send a safety signal to the gas valve when all systems are ready to go.    These systems work by forcing the user to override the system by pushing in on the control valve to allow a small amount of gas to the pilot light.  Some pilot light systems have built-in piezo sparkers and some must be lit with a match or lighter.  The goal is to push in on the valve knob, light the small pilot light, and remain depressing the control knob until the thermocouple is hot enough to allow a safety signal to the valve that the system is ready to be turned on.

Step 1.  Turn the valve knob to off and wait 30 seconds (sometimes there is an audible "click" when the system has reset)

Step 2. Hold a lit match or long lighter near the end of the pilot light and turn the knob to the pilot position.  This will require pushing in on or depressing the knob in as you turn it.  This action will allow a small amount of gas to flow out of the pilot light.

PRO TIP - If your log set has been off for a period of time, there will often be air in the line.  This process may need to be repeated numerous times to bleed the air out of the line.  

Step 3. Once the pilot flame is lit and present, continue to depress the knob in the "pilot" position for 30 seconds.

Step 4. Slowly let out on the knob.  If the flame gets smaller, quickly depress the knob for another 15 seconds.  

PRO TIP- If you are getting a strong pilot light, but it goes off every time you let out on the knob then more than likely your thermocouple has gone bad.  This is fairly typical after 8+ years of use and is easily replaceable by your local service technician.

Step 5.  Once you have a strong pilot light and you have let out on the knob, you can then turn your valve knob to the "ON" position.

If you are still having trouble, give us a call to schedule a service call.

#6 - How much does it cost to run gas logs and fireplaces?

INFORMATION IS BASED ON AVERAGES AS OF 8-9-2022 WHEN GAS PRICES ARE NEAR ALL-TIME HIGHS

PRICES ARE CALCULATED AT THE HIGH SETTING

VENTED GAS LOGS - Natural Gas (70,000 BTU's) = $1.15 per hour

VENTED GAS LOGS - LP Gas (70,000 BTU's) = $2.45 per hour

VENT FREE OR DIRECT VENT GAS LOGS - Natural Gas (38,000 BTU's) = $0.62 per hour

VENT FREE OR DIRECT VENT GAS LOGS - LP Gas (38,000 BTU's) = $1.86 per hour