Expert: James Ball - 1/9/2009

Question
I have a natural gas fireplace - a TEMCO fireplace unit with glass doors and ceramic logs.   I have always kept damper open, but recently decided to try and close damper as the room gets cold.  The pilot light is still on after several days.  Is it safe?  The TEMCO manual only refers to damper instructions for conventional wood burning.  Also, please, do I put the ceramic logs toward the back or the front - they get black very often - is this caused by old sand and embers?  Thank you.

Answer
Hello Lydia, the logs came with a manual and those instructions must be followed. If you do not have that manual then find some one who works on gas logs (wood stove store) take a first hand look.
in most cases the damper must be open (they make a bracket to keep it open) that might be why you are sooting your logs, also the logs have a "way to be set" in the fireplace and must go in that way.
James