I have no idea how to use my fireplace. Do I need to buy a gas log or burn regular wood?

Question

Well I know that I don't want to burn regular wood, I hate the smell, and I don't want to smoke up my house, walls, etc.

I think I need to buy a gas log, but I've never used my fireplace in five years of owning my home. Theres a gas gauge, with a piece sticking out that looks like you screw something on to it, and I have a key beside the fireplace to turn on the gas. But thats all I know. Oh yeah, there's a rack to place wood? And a long silver piece with holes in it. I tried screwing it on to the area that needs to be screwed but it didn't fit.

Any help/advice would be appreciated.

Answer 1

It sounds like you have a "log-lighter." This is a gas appliance used to light real-wood fires. you stack real wood in it, and then turn on the gas to assist in lighting the fire.

Since you don't want to use real wood, you'll probably want to contact a local fireplace seller. The good news is that you already have gas in the fireplace, it should be cheaper than starting from scratch.

Answer 2

If you live in a cold climate area I wouldnt really recommend you do anything with it but plug up the chimney and maybe put a few candles in it. Why?... because I learned the hard way that fireplaces and gas logs are excellent ways to suck money right out of your pocket.

A few years ago I thought i would supplement my heat by burning wood in my fireplace. Turns out my heating bill went up because the fireplace was sucking air out of my house when I burned. So I converted to a gas log fireplace (which it sounds to me like you have a partial gas log setup right now that needs fixing.) Well, part of having a gas log installed to code is to disable the damper or clip it open. This was even worse! I was constantly loosing heat and the livingroom was drafty.

I ended up plugging the chimney with a chimney balloon to stop the cold draft from coming down the fireplace flue. This was allowable under code since the chimney balloon would melt and fall out if I accidentally light a fire under it. You see, this stupid "disable the damper building code" is only there so people dont light a gas log and leave the damper closed on accident and therefore asphyxiate everyone in the house or set the place ablaze.

OK long story short...I ran up my heat bill and spent $500 on a professionally installed gas log only to end up with a fireplace I dont use because it wasted too much heat. So I put candles in it and plugged it with a chimney balloon. I should have done that in the first place.

Answer 3

Besides having the chimney checked you need to have a gas fireplace technician (check your phone book or ask someone you know who has a gas fireplace for a reccomendation) come and make sure that the nozzles are clean and that you have enough gas pressure, etc.

Seeing as you've never used it, also ask them to show you the proper way to use it.

Answer 4

first off, you have a gas fireplace, so don't burn real wood. if you have not used it, you will need to have the chimney cleaned. if you do that, ask the people who come if they can help with your fireplace.

Answer 5

Call a professional to set it up.They can check it over and be sure there are no leaks and give you instructions. Gas can be dangerous.

You need to be connected to natural gas if you have natural gas.

Answer 6

Ask your utility (gas) company to come out and inspect it, which they will probably do for free, and they can tell you if it is connected and how to use it.