What kind of fireplace do I have, and can I burn wood in it?

Question

I know this sounds like some other ?'s, but I still had to ask. Better safe than sorry. The fireplace I have has the old gas switch in the brick that you need a key to turn on, but the gas line has been capped off. There is a grate for the "wood" that is about 4 inches off the bottom the fireplace. It looks a ceramic brick around the inside. The opening going up to the chimeny is about 8 to 10 inches in dia. I also have a control lever for outside air control. There is a switch on the wall that appears to blowing air. It does have some suction from the bottom, but no air comes out any where in the house. Also when it is turned on, and fire burning, there is a smell of plastic burning. What does that fan do? The fireplace has two chainmail looking screens, and a folding glass door. Can anyone help?????

Answer 1

No. Do not start a fire in the fireplace. Just because the gas line is capped off, doesn't mean there is no gas present. If you have had the fire burning when you smelled burning plastic, it has been recently used as a gas fireplace. Have a professional check your fireplace and remove the old gas works if you plan to use it to burn wood. It it always a good idea to have gas or wood burning fireplaces checked and cleaned yearly.

Answer 2

Get it check out, wood burns about 3 times hotter than gas in a fireplace !!! Your might not have the proper fire brick

Answer 3

Do you have a chimney? Does the chimney go to outside air? Do you have a flu ? These questions need to ve answered before doing anything. Have a chimney sweep take a look at it because even if you can burn wood in it its going to need to be cleaned and inspected before doing anything. You don't want to burn your house down.

Good Luck

Answer 4

the fan is a draft induced fan [creates a draft up the chimney, sounds like a bad idea to burn wood in it, , get a qualified person to check it out,