Gas/wood fireplace

[reznunt]

Hi,

I have a fireplace that can either use natural gas (which is how it's set up now) or wood. I've only had gas fireplaces so this is all new to me. My neighbors with the same floor plan all burn wood during the winter.

In order to burn wood, is capping off the gas line and removing the fake log and burner all that's required? I don't want to explode.

 

[75gmck25]

If its a manufactured fireplace insert, you need to find the manufacturer's directions. I had one in my house that was initially installed as wood burning with a gas starter.

The gas log starter was just a gas pipe with holes that ran across under the grate for the wood. You lit the gas starter, used a little lit paper to heat the flue and get the air moving up the chimney, and then piled logs on top of the burner. As soon as logs got going, you turned off the gas. It was very simple and quick to start a fire.

The gas starter was convenient, but we eventually converted to gas logs to get rid of the cleanup requirements. My wife liked to have a fire frequently to just add some ambiance, and I got tired of cleaning up ashes and buying firewood. The gas logs are much easier.

Bruce

 

[lakeroadster]

Tread carefully reznunt. The chimney may not be set-up for a wood fired burner. A wood fire can put out considerably more BTU's into the chimney than a high efficiency gas burner arrangement.

I'd suggest you contact a local wood stove seller / installer and have them come out and give your stove / chimney a look-see.

We have a Pacific Energy wood stove. We love it. A gas fire just doesn't compare to wood.

Good luck to you sir.