Removing fake logs
#1
11-19-02, 06:47 AM
Removing fake logs
When I bought my house the previous owners left the fake gas logs in the fireplace. After having used them once, they give off absolutely no heat into the room, and they don't even look that good.
What do I need to do to remove the logs and change the fireplace (back to) a wood burning fireplace with gas starter? Will doing this make the fireplace heat the room again? (Yes, I know, it will cool the house as a whole, but a crackling fireplace on a cold night is romantic)
And yes, I will be getting the chimney cleaned prior to using any wood as well. But I'd like to get a plan of attack for the fireplace first!
What do I need to do to remove the logs and change the fireplace (back to) a wood burning fireplace with gas starter? Will doing this make the fireplace heat the room again? (Yes, I know, it will cool the house as a whole, but a crackling fireplace on a cold night is romantic)
And yes, I will be getting the chimney cleaned prior to using any wood as well. But I'd like to get a plan of attack for the fireplace first!
#2
11-19-02, 08:42 PM
Member
Converting gas fireplace to woodburning
Converting to woodburning
An inspection should be made by a Certified Chimney Sweep. Go to http://www.csia.org the website for Chimney Safety Institute of America to locate a Certified Sweep in your area.
Converting a Gas Log Fire
If you prefer the look and sound of wood fires over your existing gas logs, you can have the best of both worlds by replacing the gas logs with a gas igniter for wood fires.
Problem: The previous homeowners installed gas logs in the fireplace, but you prefer the look and sound of wood fires.
Solution: You can remove the gas logs and install a gas igniter so you can burn real logs in your fireplace.
Make sure your gas fireplace is set up to use as a wood-burning fireplace.
Materials needed:
vacuum cleaner
adjustable wrench
one or two pipe wrenches
dust pan
whiskbroom
wire brush
igniter
pipe joint compound
1,200-degree black spray paint
painter's tape
newspaper
work gloves
safety glasses
dust mask
Remove the gas logs and store them for future use. In most cases, you'll be able to use the gas log grate for your wood logs.
Use a whiskbroom and dustpan to clean out the ash, lava rock, and other debris from the fireplace. Follow up by vacuuming out the dust that you couldn't remove with the broom. You may want to use a vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter bag to keep the dust from going through the bag into your room.
Turn off the main gas valve. Then use a pipe wrench to hold the gas line steady and remove the reducer fitting and coupling for the gas log burner with an adjustable wrench.
If your firebox is a light color that shows soot easily, you may want to paint it black. Start by cleaning the soot from the walls with a wire brush. Then remove the doors and screens and use painter's tape and newspaper to mask anything you don't want painted. Make sure the damper is closed so that the paint won't blow back into the room, and then spray the firebox with 1,200-degree black stove paint.
Spread pipe joint compound on the threads of the gas line, and attach a flexible gas pipe. Spread the compound on the other end of the flexible pipe, and attach it to the log igniter. Position the igniter so that it's in the center of the firebox.
Place the log grate over the igniter, and stack wood on top of it. When you're ready to light your fire, turn on the gas and light the igniter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESOURCES:
Hearth and Patio
Hearth and Patio
9335 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37922
USA
Phone: 865-693-0770
Converting a Gas Log Fire. Home & Garden Television. Retrieved 06 November 2002. http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/rm_fireplac...381489,00.html
An inspection should be made by a Certified Chimney Sweep. Go to http://www.csia.org the website for Chimney Safety Institute of America to locate a Certified Sweep in your area.
Converting a Gas Log Fire
If you prefer the look and sound of wood fires over your existing gas logs, you can have the best of both worlds by replacing the gas logs with a gas igniter for wood fires.
Problem: The previous homeowners installed gas logs in the fireplace, but you prefer the look and sound of wood fires.
Solution: You can remove the gas logs and install a gas igniter so you can burn real logs in your fireplace.
Make sure your gas fireplace is set up to use as a wood-burning fireplace.
Materials needed:
vacuum cleaner
adjustable wrench
one or two pipe wrenches
dust pan
whiskbroom
wire brush
igniter
pipe joint compound
1,200-degree black spray paint
painter's tape
newspaper
work gloves
safety glasses
dust mask
Remove the gas logs and store them for future use. In most cases, you'll be able to use the gas log grate for your wood logs.
Use a whiskbroom and dustpan to clean out the ash, lava rock, and other debris from the fireplace. Follow up by vacuuming out the dust that you couldn't remove with the broom. You may want to use a vacuum cleaner with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter bag to keep the dust from going through the bag into your room.
Turn off the main gas valve. Then use a pipe wrench to hold the gas line steady and remove the reducer fitting and coupling for the gas log burner with an adjustable wrench.
If your firebox is a light color that shows soot easily, you may want to paint it black. Start by cleaning the soot from the walls with a wire brush. Then remove the doors and screens and use painter's tape and newspaper to mask anything you don't want painted. Make sure the damper is closed so that the paint won't blow back into the room, and then spray the firebox with 1,200-degree black stove paint.
Spread pipe joint compound on the threads of the gas line, and attach a flexible gas pipe. Spread the compound on the other end of the flexible pipe, and attach it to the log igniter. Position the igniter so that it's in the center of the firebox.
Place the log grate over the igniter, and stack wood on top of it. When you're ready to light your fire, turn on the gas and light the igniter.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RESOURCES:
Hearth and Patio
Hearth and Patio
9335 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37922
USA
Phone: 865-693-0770
Converting a Gas Log Fire. Home & Garden Television. Retrieved 06 November 2002. http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/rm_fireplac...381489,00.html
