We all know what a realistic vibe a gas fireplace offers when lit in winters. So, if you bought a new gas fireplace for your home, you must be looking for some background knowledge, right?
You might know how to start a gas fireplace (addressing the beginners only here) but there are some safety tricks and tips you must know when turning On a gas fireplace.
In this guide, we will guide you in detail about how to light a gas fireplace and important factors to keep in mind while handling a gas fireplace.
So, let’s get into it. Shall we?
Steps to Turn On – Start a Gas Fireplace
Before we dive into the step by step guide, you must know (specially the beginners) that not every gas fireplace is turned On via a remote control. Some gas fireplaces are ignited by a wall key, some by control panel and in most of the cases, gas fireplaces are lit with a pilot.
Let’s have a look at the factors you need to look for before starting the process..!
1. Go through the instruction manual
The basic and pretty obvious step to look for is the instruction manual of your fireplace to know about the model type of the fireplace. It will help you to locate the knobs and control panel easily.
2. Preparation for lighting a gas fireplace
It is compulsory to know about your fireplace. Double check the type of your gas fireplace; whether it is run with Natural gas or propane.
Also, check whether the knobs and controls of it are within or reach or not so when you are going to turn it On, it would be much easier for you.
3. Remove the cover and turn Off your fireplace
After you are done examining the fireplace and making sure about the controls and model of it, the next step is to remove the cover (most of the gas fireplaces have glass door covers) and make sure to turn Off the power source while removing the cover.
After that, locate the knobs and gas valve. For those who don’t know, every gas fireplace has a gas valve from where the fuel is supplied to run the fireplace.
Most of the time, the gas valve is found in the kitchen area from where the other gas lines are connected.
Make sure the gas valve is perpendicular to the gas line which indicates that the supply is Off. turning Off the gas valve prevents you from any kind of mischief.
How to Turn On the Gas Valve?
When you are pretty sure you have located all the knobs and controls and you have gone through in detail about the user’s manual. The next step is to turn On the gas valve by directing the gas valve in a parallel direction to the gas line.
The next step is to set the setting to “pilot” and push the knob inwards for a mere 5 seconds. This allows the fuel (Propane or Natural gas) to enter the fireplace. Now your gas fireplace is ready to ignite.
Let’s move forward.
4. Lighting the pilot (for non-electric ignitor)
Most of the fireplaces are ignited with a pilot (manually) as most of the models come with a pilot. So, after you have turned On the pilot settings and held the knob for a while, grab a lighter (if your fireplace is not equipped with a spark igniter) and spark it until a flame appears.
Don’t release the pilot knob immediately after a flame appears. After a while, keep the pilot knob turned On and leave the knob. It will turned On so is the flame.
And, you are done.
How to Light a Pilot With a Wall Switch?
Some of the gas fireplaces models are ignited with an electronic wall switch (depending upon the brand and model type). The models which come with a wall switch are controlled very easily.
Just push the wall switch and the flame would ignite automatically.
Set the flame according to your need.
How to Light a Pilot With a Key?
Similarly, some gas fireplaces come with a stylish slot which is designed to control the gas valve. The placement of the key slot varies from design to design and brand to brand of a gas fireplace.
The purpose of the pilot key (also called as Hex key) is to allow the fuel (Propane or Natural gas) to enter in the gas fireplace.
Here are the steps to follow for starting a gas fireplace if your model is turned On with a key.
- Place the key in the slot and don’t turn it On immediately afterwards.
- Take a matchstick (only if it’s long enough) or a lighter and place it near the burner. Be careful about it.
- Lit the matchstick or turn the lighter On and then slowly turn the key On in the slot (so gas can enter in the gas fireplace). The pilot of it will light up immediately.
- After that, set the flame intensity as per your need from the controls and that’s it.
NOTE: Make sure to place the key near the fireplace or any other place within your reach so you don’t face any difficulty when turning On your gas fireplace.
How to Light a Gas Fireplace With Electronic Ignition (with Remote)?
Although there are many ways to light a gas fireplace, one of the most popular ones is the electronic ignition method. The latest and new models of gas fireplaces have a remote control ignition system.
This method is quite smooth and easy. Most people prefer an electronic ignition system nowadays. Operating this method is super easy. Here are the steps to follow to ignite a gas fireplace with a remote control.
However, it is important to know that (if you are using an electronic ignition for the first time or you are not aware of the working) either an intermittent pilot ignition system or continuous ignition pilot system works with an electronic system.
Just turn On the electronic system via remote control and you are done. As simple as that. Albeit, we would recommend you to go for intermittent ignition models for summers (or when the temperature is not extremely cold).
For winters, we would recommend continuous pilot systems.
Difference between Continuous and Intermittent ignition models
The continuous pilot is once turned On remains ignited until you turn it Off manually. That’s why we recommend to opt for continuous ignition pilot gas fireplaces models in winters as most of the time gas fireplaces are running in this season.
On the other hand, intermittent ignition models work totally on an electronic system. Such models are ignited only when needed. And, it would be best to use such models in not-so-cold weather.
Does a Gas Fireplace Need a Chimney?
Although a gas fireplace uses the room air for combustion which is safe for the room if used for a short period of time, but if you use it for prolonged periods of time and more often, then it would be best to have a chimney or a vent.
Still, we would recommend you to have a vented gas fireplace whether you run it for a shorter or longer time. Vents for chimneys are a safer option.
You may like to read: Top Log Splitters Reports
How to Turn Off a Gas Fireplace?
Now that you know how to start a gas fireplace, it is important for you to know how to turn it Off as well. It will help you save a lot of electricity. For those who don’t know, most gas fireplaces have a standing pilot which needs to be turned On even when you are not running a gas fireplace.
For different models (as we have discussed the starting method for each) of gas fireplaces, we will guide you how to save your extra bucks.
1. Gas fireplaces with remote control system
Turning Off a gas fireplace with an electronic system is very easy just like turning it On is. Just turn Off the pilot from the control panel or turn Off the knobs.
2. Fireplaces with a key wall
For that, insert the key wall in the slot and turn it Off so that the fuel can’t enter the gas fireplace.
Then the pilot will turn Off. For safety purposes, you can turn Off the main gas supply when not running any gas appliances.
Some common Gas Fireplace Problems and troubleshooting
Using a gas fireplace has its own merits and demerits. Here we are going to discuss some common problems a user can face with gas fireplaces and how to deal with them.
Pilot not working
The most common problem faced by the users especially who have minimum background knowledge of gas fireplaces is the malfunction of the pilot. Most of the time, it is due to the main source being turned Off.
Check the main gas supply valve before turning On the pilot manually.
Smell of burning gas
This problem is common in ventless gas fireplaces. Smell of burning gas is likely to cause headaches, nausea and ill feeling.
That’s why we recommend the users to have a vent or chimney even if opting for a vent-free gas fireplace to be on a safer side.
However, if you are not concerned about the burning smell of the gas logs, then a ventless gas fireplace would be a considerable option.
Thermocouple or Thermopile issues
For those who don’t know, thermocouple is a metal rod which is found in older gas fireplaces which helps to ignite the pilot. Sometimes, the pilot isn’t burning properly or not igniting at all. For that, either change the position of the thermocouple rod or replace it with a new one.
On the other hand, thermopile is a sensor which is found in the latest gas fireplace models. It allows the fireplace to generate appropriate voltage for ignition.
If your new and latest model is not burning as it should, then look for the thermopile sensor where the wiring of your gas fireplace is done. There might be a possibility that the wiring of the gas fireplace gets damaged.
So, double check such things.
Having low flame intensity or height
Another common problem faced by the majority of people is the low flame of the gas fireplace even if you have set it to the fullest. The main cause of it is poor maintenance and not cleaning the gas fireplace thoroughly and deeply.
Cleaning your gas fireplace deeply once in a week enhances its overall performance.
What if your remote control gas logs stop working?
Majority of the users who are new to electronic gas fireplaces often face a problem of the malfunctioning of remote control.
They probably don’t know that remote control units are equipped with two batteries (which are present in the receiver and in the remote as well) mainly present behind the gas logs.
Check the batteries and replace them.
You can also learn about electric fireplaces here.
Wrapping up
That would be all from our side. We hope we have provided valuable information to you and now you can light a gas fireplace easily as per your model types. The best way to know about your model type is going through the instruction manual as it will help you to locate the knobs or control panel.
Furthermore, we would recommend you to look after your gas fireplace once in a week as it will enhance the overall performance of the unit. Still, if you are facing any problems regarding the unit, feel free to ask us
