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You are here: Experts > Industry > Construction Industry > Chimney & Fireplaces > stinky gas fireplace
Expert: Steve Tavares - 11/3/2009
Question
We put in a Majestic vent-free gas fireplace in a new house nearly 5 years ago. We spent extra and purchased the catalytic converters and a frame window w/glass to get optimum fuel efficiency which, according to the owner's manual "actually clean room air as well as give excellent zone heating". The fireplace heats very efficiently but whenever we turn it on it gives off very strong smelly fumes. It is not the odor of natural gas - more like kerosene. The odor goes up the stairs and is even worse on the second floor. I followed all the instructions for the first time lighting and burned it off for hours with the windows open. I have called Majestic and spoken to the tech. staff. They suggested washing the catalytic converters. I took the fireplace apart and did so, no difference. Next they suggested soaking the converters in a solution 50/50 water %26 vinegar. No improvement. I have taken apart and cleaned the inside of this fireplace thoroughly twice every season. Finally after Majestic's suggestion I took out the catalytic converters. What a waste of money. However the fireplace still smells of very strong fumes when we start it. We burned it off for an hour w/ the windows open at the beginning of each season and I thoroughly clean the glass and all the inside surfaces. So, we just started burning it again last weekend and it still smells just as bad. Do you think we got a lemon, or is this problem inherent with vent free fireplaces? We also have the problem of the greasy film on our windows that is just about impossible to remove. I was wondering if you have heard of these problems with these particular fireplaces, and if you have any other suggestions as to how we can stop these fumes. It really defeats the purpose of having this very high efficiency fireplace if we have to have the windows wide open for the first 30 minutes it is burning.
We have a ceiling mounted carbon monoxide detector in this room and it has never gone off, although we can't help wondering what this fireplace is doing to our indoor air quality. Would like your thoughts on that too.
We spent quite a lot on this fireplace, adding the blower, wall switches and trim kits as well as the catalytic converters. It is very disappointing but we are just about ready to cut our losses and replace it unless you can come up with a solution.
Would really appreciate your input. Thanks!
Answer
It sounds like you have tried everything here and still no resolution.
What the smell is I couldn't even fathom an idea. The glass should be cleaned with a Gas Fireplace Glass Cleaner and only that.
I'm sure that this is not good at all for your indoor air quality. I would speak with whoever installed the unit to see if this is something that they might have a solution for.
In our province vent free fireplaces are just now (as of a week - two weeks ago) allowed to be installed.
I have had this issue arise once and it ended up being that the venting was not installed properly by the company who put it. Not sure this would apply here since this is a ventless unit.
Not sure if this helped by this is my 2 cents anyways. Let me know how things turn out please.
Thanks.
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