Gas to wood fireplace conversion

[tmshort]

I've got a fireplace in the house that is open on both sides, currently has a gas insert.
I'd like to burn wood instead. The gas fire just isn't the same, and I've got tons of wood stacked and split from the woods out back.
I'm going to have someone come look at it, but what am I looking for to determine if the fireplace is even wood capable?

Thanks,

 

[gmcgeo]

I've got a fireplace in the house that is open on both sides, currently has a gas insert.
I'd like to burn wood instead. The gas fire just isn't the same, and I've got tons of wood stacked and split from the woods out back.
I'm going to have someone come look at it, but what am I looking for to determine if the fireplace is even wood capable?

Thanks,

you have to completely remove the gas insert and all gas lines, remove any vent that is up through the chimney, " most likely will be aluminum venting kit" then make sure your chimney is in safe condition by getting some one to scope it and check for cracks and what not. if everything is good to go then you can burn wood in it, if it was converted to gas there is a reason.... chimney not good anymore? or maybe some one just was tired of hauling in wood.. who knows

Normally if you have a gas insert then wood can not be burnt in the metal box unless its a universal box compatible for it.. reading that it is double sided i dont think this is the case... but i could be wrong


Pictures ?

 

[tmshort]

The house was built in 2006, I bought it in 2011. I am virtually certain this was gas from the beginning.
The chimney is a metal flue, probably 14" in diameter.
I attached a pic of the firebox itself, can't get the phone to shoot one of the upper part (will try later with better lighting).

 

[Yankee2bbq]

I’m assuming you are getting a local chimney place to come look at it?
Hopefully it was a traditional fireplace in the first place, if so, it is possible.
A fireplace insert is the most efficient for heating the house. I don’t know if they make one for a duel side fireplace.
The flu will probably need a steel liner.

 

[gmcgeo]

The house was built in 2006, I bought it in 2011. I am virtually certain this was gas from the beginning.
The chimney is a metal flue, probably 14" in diameter.
I attached a pic of the firebox itself, can't get the phone to shoot one of the upper part (will try later with better lighting).

This is just a log insert. just remove it along with the gas line and have a chimney company make sure the flue is still good

 

[tmshort]

I’m assuming you are getting a local chimney place to come look at it?

Definitely doing this before I do any attempt at conversion. Just trying to get an idea if it is even possible.

 

[tmshort]

This is just a log insert. just remove it along with the gas line and have a chimney company make sure the flue is still good

When removing the gas line, does it have to be fully removed to outside the firebox, or can it be capped just inside (see L side of picture).
Full removal will involve significant drywall work. Capping it will be easy, I have a shutoff in the floor next to the unit as well as a manifold in the basement.

 

[gmcgeo]

and make sure you vacuum the stone out lol

 

[gmcgeo]

When removing the gas line, does it have to be fully removed to outside the firebox, or can it be capped just inside (see L side of picture).
Full removal will involve significant drywall work. Capping it will be easy, I have a shutoff in the floor next to the unit as well as a manifold in the basement.

code states you have to remove completely out of the box

 

[Yankee2bbq]

You have a newer home I see. All depends on how the chimney was built.

 

[gmcgeo]

the box is universal i can tell you that much from the pic. the vent will have to be checked to make sure it can take the heat from the wood.

also you should be able to disconnect the line at the manifold and cap the black iron in the box and be up to code, as lone as no gas is in the line and pressured.

However your insurance company gets wind of using it as wood they may drop you

 

[gmcgeo]

The house was built in 2006, I bought it in 2011. I am virtually certain this was gas from the beginning.
The chimney is a metal flue, probably 14" in diameter.
I attached a pic of the firebox itself, can't get the phone to shoot one of the upper part (will try later with better lighting).

if it was me, i would get rid of this old "vented" log set..... this is why you get no heat form it. its built to let all the heat out the chimney. buy a duel sided Vent free log set, cap the chimney with metal on the inside and you will get 100% of the heat.

This old ember vented logs are out dated and are to messy

 

[tmshort]

Ah - disconnecting at the manifold makes sense and would be much easier - thanks.

I wasn’t aware of the potential insurance issue … there are lots of people with wood fireplaces, why is that a concern?

 

[gmcgeo]

Traditional Vent-Free Log Sets | White Mountain Hearth

whitemountainhearth.com

 

[tmshort]

if it was me, i would get rid of this old "vented" log set..... this is why you get no heat form it. its built to let all the heat out the chimney. buy a duel sided Vent free log set, cap the chimney with metal on the inside and you will get 100% of the heat.

This old ember vented logs are out dated and are to messy

Not only that but the whole thing is leaky as hell - you can see the dust around the edge on the bottom of the pic from where air is flowing through the doors all the time, even with the damper closed.

I much prefer a wood fire, but I will look into the vent free option. Sounds much more efficient. I wasn’t even aware something like that existed…

 

[gmcgeo]

Ah - disconnecting at the manifold makes sense and would be much easier - thanks.

I wasn’t aware of the potential insurance issue … there are lots of people with wood fireplaces, why is that a concern?

because of potential fire hazard, chimney not getting cleaned and more. they typically wont let you have one

 

[gmcgeo]

Not only that but the whole thing is leaky as hell - you can see the dust around the edge on the bottom of the pic from where air is flowing through the doors all the time, even with the damper closed.

I much prefer a wood fire, but I will look into the vent free option. Sounds much more efficient. I wasn’t even aware something like that existed…

you will have the same issue but worse with wood, leaky that is. and the dust will be much worse in my opinion

look into the ventfree options you will love it more than what you have

 

[tmshort]

For sure - I agree about all the same leak issues with wood, and the mess (not only dust, but ash clean up, mess from hauling wood inside, etc). It’s just that a real wood fire is much nicer. Probably not worth it long term, and the vent free would really help heat. Opening the damper and running that **** that’s in there now actually makes the room colder most of the time.

 

[gmcgeo]

For sure - I agree about all the same leak issues with wood, and the mess (not only dust, but ash clean up, mess from hauling wood inside, etc). It’s just that a real wood fire is much nicer. Probably not worth it long term, and the vent free would really help heat. Opening the damper and running that **** that’s in there now actually makes the room colder most of the time.

correct, white mountain hearth is made by Empire. they tend to be on the higher price when saying you can walk into homedepot and get it cheaper, however they will last for 15 years and more

 

[ericm]

Burning wood in the fireplace will likely make the house colder as it's pulling air into the house. You really need a stove, either free standing or zero clearance. Modern stoves need special high temp flue pipes but are more efficient than older ones and pollute less too.

 

[gmcgeo]

or better yet, a dual sided gas fireplace insert. Alexa enabled, and looks like real woodfire!

I dont know of a dual sided wood stove? do they make one?

 

[tmshort]

Burning wood in the fireplace will likely make the house colder as it's pulling air into the house. You really need a stove, either free standing or zero clearance. Modern stoves need special high temp flue pipes but are more efficient than older ones and pollute less too.

A stove would be ideal, but I have done a little looking and am not finding anyone that makes a 2-sided stove that would insert in the existing space. I'm not really interested in a big tear out / remodel project, so I am somewhat stuck with what I have in terms of opening / size.