Topic 'Fireplace - From Gas to Wood?' in forum 'Home Improvement' - dslreports.com

Re: Fireplace - From Gas to Wood?

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 12:45:16 EDT

Camelot One posted :

Why would I need a separate igniter? Couldn't I just turn the gas on and light it with a lighter like I did when it was a gas fireplace?

The igniter isn't separate, it screws into the incoming gas line, replacing the gas logs. It sits under the grate, so when you light it, it creates a flame under the wood logs.

Re: Fireplace - From Gas to Wood?

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 12:43:51 EDT

smithfly114 posted :

said by Camelot One:

You can use gas logs in a wood rated firebox/flu, but it is not safe to burn wood in a gas only rated firebox/flu. So the first step would be to find out what you have. If it is newer, there should be a label inside the firebox, usually just inside the door on the top. If in doubt, have a professional look at it.

Here in Austin, the most popular setup with anything built in the last 20 years is a wood rated prefab firebox/flu combo, with a gas igniter. (the igniter tube itself is just a tube with holes that sits under the grate) You can remove the igniter tube and use the gas pipe to run gas logs, and a lot of people have them installed for ease of use. As long as the box/flu is rated for wood, you can switch back to burning wood, and either not using gas at all, or using it with the igniter tube.

Keep in mind, those saw dust/duraflame type logs are much worse for the flu than real wood. The particles tend to stick and clog on their way up, creating a greater risk of a flu fire.

In any event, get a chimney sweep out to do a cleaning before you light a fire. Something as simple as a bird nest that was built over the summer (very common) could lead to burning your house down. And any decent chimney sweep should be able to tell you what you have, even without a label.

This is the answer.
In my home (new construction) our fireplace is a gas/faux log ONLY fireplace. The box, chimney etc are not built to withstand a real fire.
This is what you need to determine first.

Re: Fireplace - From Gas to Wood?

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 12:40:58 EDT

smithfly114 posted :

said by dandelion:

An interesting link.. didn't think about it requiring a permit etc but my first thought was how was your flue? »www.doityourself.com/stry/gas-to···to-avoid

That article is full of inaccuracies.

Re: Fireplace - From Gas to Wood?

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 11:45:52 EDT

SteelersFan posted : Why would I need a separate igniter? Couldn't I just turn the gas on and light it with a lighter like I did when it was a gas fireplace?

Re: Fireplace - From Gas to Wood?

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 11:43:21 EDT

Camelot One posted : In case you decide you want an igniter, this is what I have:
»blueflamestore.com/
Can be purchased here:
»www.amazon.com/Canterbury-Enterp···+igniter

It makes starting a real wood fire as easy as using the duraflame logs. (easier in fact, since you have an instant full fire)

Re: Fireplace - From Gas to Wood?

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 11:39:39 EDT

SteelersFan posted : It's probably not going to be a huge deal, but I've got a Chimney guy coming out Sat. for a $75 inspection. Peace of mind and all.
Thanks for the replies though.

Re: Fireplace - From Gas to Wood?

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 11:32:02 EDT

Camelot One posted : You can use gas logs in a wood rated firebox/flu, but it is not safe to burn wood in a gas only rated firebox/flu. So the first step would be to find out what you have. If it is newer, there should be a label inside the firebox, usually just inside the door on the top. If in doubt, have a professional look at it.

Here in Austin, the most popular setup with anything built in the last 20 years is a wood rated prefab firebox/flu combo, with a gas igniter. (the igniter tube itself is just a tube with holes that sits under the grate) You can remove the igniter tube and use the gas pipe to run gas logs, and a lot of people have them installed for ease of use. As long as the box/flu is rated for wood, you can switch back to burning wood, and either not using gas at all, or using it with the igniter tube.

Keep in mind, those saw dust/duraflame type logs are much worse for the flu than real wood. The particles tend to stick and clog on their way up, creating a greater risk of a flu fire.

In any event, get a chimney sweep out to do a cleaning before you light a fire. Something as simple as a bird nest that was built over the summer (very common) could lead to burning your house down. And any decent chimney sweep should be able to tell you what you have, even without a label.

Re: Fireplace - From Gas to Wood?

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 11:17:15 EDT

nunya posted : I can imagine 100 scenarios where things could go terribly wrong using it "as-is".
--
If someone refers to herself / himself as a "guru", they probably aren't.

Re: Fireplace - From Gas to Wood?

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 11:00:52 EDT

dandelion posted : An interesting link.. didn't think about it requiring a permit etc but my first thought was how was your flue? »www.doityourself.com/stry/gas-to···to-avoid

Fireplace - From Gas to Wood?

Tue, 09 Oct 2012 10:46:56 EDT

SteelersFan posted : I have a small (probably mid-size) type fireplace. When we first moved in, it had the gas hook-up and we had some guys come and install the logs (and I think the extension to the gas pipe under the grate). The gas turns on and off with a screw valve in the tile. I've decided I would like to burn wood this year and cleared out the box leaving just the grate and the gas piping.

Will I have issues with this configuration? I don't plan to burn anything more than a Duraflame or pinion type wood, but didn't know if I would have any other issues.

Thanks.