Expert: James Ball - 3/14/2010

Question
We just had a direct-vent gas fireplace installed in a family room addition. It was professionally changed internally from the natural gas set-up to propane, and we had the optional blower installed. When installed, we were told to burn it for 10 hrs to burn off the paint smell. We did that, but the fireplace still smells, and its been 2 months (burned probably 50-75 hrs so far). But it isn't a gas-smell, it is a definite chemical smell. It starts about 10-15 minutes after we start it up. The guys came back and checked the installation and said everything is fine. But this smell is strong enough to smell up the house. Since this dealer initially gave us the wrong things (wrong size vent, twice), I am wondering if he gave us the wrong log set. Could using a natural gas log set in a propane fireplace cause this smell?

Answer
Hello Niki, not sure why it smells, did you have some one else out to look at it and smell it? my Natural gas  direct vent stove still smells a bit every now and then and it might be the unit it self that smells. maybe natural gas a propane burn hotter  than the other not getting the unit "broken in"?
try another local company to take a look.
James