Newbie with ventless gas fireplace problem/odor

One of two things....

either the logs are not positioned correctly.....that would make the flame hit them funny and a smell

or

as you say, the binders in the logs are starting to smell.

So first thing is to make certain that the logs are positioned exactly right as per the owners manual.

These vent-free units can be hard to diagnose or repair. Basically all you can do is look at the manual and the logs and try to get it exactly as designed, If that does not work, your only other choice is to get new logs...

I think we can assume the burner is OK by your little experiment - if it works with the logs off, it should be fine.

The flames are sometimes designed to touch the logs - but in a certain way. You need to have the owners manual....there is a metal tag on the unit which will state the brand and model.

If you get new logs, the MUST 100% only be the exact replacement logs from the same manufacturer - nothing else will do. In a worst case situation, you can probably replace the burner and logs. The biggest brands were Temco and Desa. Check the tag.

Please see:
http://www.martinhearthandheating.com/ContactUs.php

Martin closed up shop. According to that page, parts are available from:

Martin Industries Gas Products -
Contact A & B Sales at 1-800-798-8235

Please buy a few GOOD Carbon Monoxide detectors before we read about you in the newspaper.

As noted; some logs are suppose to be lightly touched by the flames, if the flame contacts to much of the logs you will have flame impingement. Believe me this a very precise positoning of the logs.
Bottom line, a ventless fireplace, stove, or insert is no better than bring your gas grill into the house and using it.
Many states have banned such ventless products and many more I believe will follow suit.
Anytime there is combustion to ignite a flame, there is also carbon monoxide present in the process. If this unit is unvented the carbon monoxide is spewed out into the living quarters for you to inhale. This will cause headaches, nausea, condensation in the living quarters, yellowing of paint, and in unchecked severe cases death.
Do yourself and your family a favor and get a vented fireplace for your safety and theirs.
John

Depends n what you have now. Do you have a fireplace with a vent and its just blocked? Or is it a ventfree fireplace box.

Yeah I was thinking the same thing. Get a Direct Vent. If you have all the tools needed, know how to use them, and can follow directions it should nt be too much trouble.

You already have a gas line there so that wont be a huge part of the project anyway.

Where in NC?
We were just outside of CLT, and our builder put vent-free gas fireplaces in all of his homes in 2002.
I HATED them... same problem. They stank when brand new. Used them once for real heat during an ice storm.
I was terrified of CO and an explosion (the smell was very similar to the propane scent) even though they weren't leaking.
We turned them off at the primary and secondary valve and never used them.
We sold the house in July.
Knowing what I know now, I should have ripped them out and installed a zero-clearance wood-burning fireplace or freestanding wood stove.
We were in a ranch and it would have been very easy. Besides, we could have used wood to heat the house and save $$$ on the gas furnace bill.
I went into a fireplace shop today. Only 1 woodburning appliance in the whole place. I swear the gas company must be in cahoots with shops. It is obviously in the gas co's best interest to put these gas logs in everyones house. Given the current cost of Natural Gas I wonder how much it cost to burn the logs for an hour?