Chimney & Fireplaces/Gas Fireplace

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Expert: - 1/28/2005


Question
Hi Bart,

I am a new homeowner and I have a gas fireplace.  I know I would need to purchase some gas fire logs, but what else will I need to do once that is done to get my fire going.  Also, do have to use gas logs with it just because it is a gas fireplace.  Can I just use regular wood and use the gas flames to burn the wood or no.

Answer
Hi Angela,

It sounds like you may have a woodburning fireplace with a gas starter.  If that's the case, you can use the gas starter to start your regular cordwood fire.

If you have a gas fireplace, the logs should already be there.

To tell the difference, look at where the gas comes out.  If it's a triangular shaped pan on the floor, you have part of a gas log set and can only put another set of gas logs on top of them.  DO NOT burn regulard cordwood with this setup.

If you have a pipe in the center of the fireplace, and a regular wood grate, you probably have a gas starter.  You can burn wood with this setup.

My advice is to call a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep out to get some on-site advice.  You can find a CSIA Certified Chimney Sweep at www.csia.org.

Thanks for using AllExperts.com!

Sincerely,
A. Bart Ogden, President
Home Safe Hearth & Chimney
Wichita, KS
Voice: 316-265-9828
Fax: 316-265-9890
www.homesafeks.com

Chimney & Fireplaces

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Bart Ogden

Expertise

I can answer questions related to chimney and fireplace cleaning, construction and repair as well as questions related to the performance of chimneys and fireplaces. I can also answer questions related to clothes dryer vent cleaning and repair. Additionally, I can field questions related to masonry repair.

Experience


Experience in the area:
28 years experience in the chimney service/installation/repair field
President, Home Safe Hearth & Chimney, Inc. Wichita, Kansas

Professional Organizations:
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild (NCSG)
Member, Hearth, Patio & Barbecue Association (HPBA)
Member, Kansas Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps (KGPCS)
Member, Midwest Chimney Safety Council (MCSC)
Member, Kansas Association of Real Estate Inspectors (KAREI)
Past At-Large Director of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past At-Large Director of the Chimney Safety Institute of America
Past Secretary, National Chimney Sweep Guild
Past Secretary, Chimney Safety Institute of America
Member, National Chimney Sweep Guild Technical Advisory Council
Member, Chimney Safety Institute of America Certification Committee
Past Chairman, CSIA Chimney Safety Education Brochures Committee
Past Chairman, NCSG Nomination Committee

Publications:
SWEEPING Magazine, The Journal of Chimney & Venting Technoloty, A Publication of the National Chimney Sweep Guild
SNEWS, The Chimney Sweep News
THE KANSAS SWEEP, The Voice of the KS Guild of Professional Chimney Sweeps

Education/Credentials:
BA, Wichita State University
C.S.I.A. Certified Chimney Sweep
C.S.I.A. Certified Dryer Exhaust Technician
N.F.I. Woodburning Specialist
N.F.I. Gas Specialist
Chimney Diagnosis & Documentation Seminar
Ahren's Masonry Restoration School Graduate
Advanced Gas Certification
Master Gas Certification
Licensed Mechanical Contractor
Pellet Appliance Specialist
Venting Design Specialist
Dale Carnegie Course Graduate

Awards and Honors:
Superior Dealer Award, Ventinox Chimney Lining Systems

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