Superior BR36-2 Woodburning Fireplace to Unvented Gas Logs

[K Biles]

Hi, I'm brand new here and trying to get an answer to a burning question (pardon the pun Sorry for the length of this post.

I just purchased a foreclosed home, so I have no history on it. There is a woodburning fireplace (Superior brand, model BR36-2) in it and it looks like the previous owner must've had gas logs or something at one point. There is a gas line run and I have a concrete pad on the outside of the fireplace where a propane tank would go.

Here's the question that I'm getting conflicting advice on. From the user's manual (that I was able to obtain from the manufacturer's website), it says:

"Gas Logs
If your fireplace system was installed with a gas line, you may wish to install one of two types of gas log sets. This fireplace has been tested and approved for use with a decorative gas appliance incorporating an automatic shut-off device and complying with the Standard for Decorative Gas Appliances for installation in vented fireplaces, ANSI Z21.60 (1991) or American Gas Association draft requirements for Gas-Fired Log Lighters for Wood Burning Fireplaces, Draft No. 4 dated August, 1993.

Decorative gas appliances may be installed in these fireplaces. Installation must be in accordance with the National Fuel Gas Code, ANSI Z223.1 for compliance with the revised U.L. 127 Standard.
CAUTION: WHEN USING A DECORATIVE GAS APPLIANCE, THE FIREPLACE DAMPER MUST BE SET TO THE FULLY OPEN POSITION.
This fireplace has been tested and approved to ANSI/IAS/AGA Z21.11.2 for use with an unvented gas appliance having a maximum rating of 26,000 BTU and complies with the Standard for Factory-Built Fireplaces, U.L. 127, when installed with unvented gas log sets. The limit may be increased to 40,000 BTU providing that minimum combustible mantle heights were increased to at least 18 inches when the fireplace was installed.
Prior to installing any gas log set, (Vented or Unvented) refer to the fireplace installation instructions for verification of mantle heights and placement of combustible materials around the firebox opening. NEVER INSTALL AN UNVENTED GAS LOG SET WITH A BTU RATING GREATER THAN 26,000 IF THE COMBUSTIBLE MANTLE PROJECTIONS ARE LOWER THAN 18 INCHES ABOVE THE FIREPLACE OPENING. Vented gas log sets do not have restrictions placed upon their BTU rating.
Note: Units designated with the -2 suffix have not been tested or approved for use with vent free log sets."

So, what I would like to do is install UNVENTED gas logs for the heat. I keep coming back to the last sentence in the last paragraph that says "units designated with the -2 suffix have not been tested or approved for use with vent free log sets", which is what I have. Can I or can I not? Some say yes, some say no. One propane company said they would just install a piece of sheet metal to close the chimney off and an automatic cut off switch in case it got too hot? That doesn't even sound safe, but maybe it is?

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

[eclecticcottage]

I'd say no.

Usually manuals like that cover a series of models (say, 4 different but similar ones). So, the ones without the -2 can use VF but the ones with the -2 cannot. So, yours cannot.

 

[K Biles]

I should have also asked the second part of my question:

If I can't safely install unvented gas logs for heat purposes, do I have any other options besides ripping it out and starting fresh?

 

[eclecticcottage]

Vented gas logs? At least that what it sounds like from the manual.

You won't find too many advocates of Vf here. Even though I have one I'd like to replace it with a DV unit eventually as $$ allows.

 

[K Biles]

Vented gas logs? At least that what it sounds like from the manual.

You won't find too many advocates of Vf here. Even though I have one I'd like to replace it with a DV unit eventually as $$ allows.

So, am I understanding your post correctly that people don't WANT unvented gas logs? Why would that be? I guess my thinking is that I don't want the vented type because I would feel like I'm just literally burning money out of my chimney with no real heat benefit. Is that not the case?

What is a DV unit?

 

[eclecticcottage]

Vent free exhausts all of the byproducts of combustion into the air you're breathing. Additionally, anything you spray into the air will get burned by the flames and you will breath those byproducts as well. AND any dust, pet hair, etc that gets into the firebox. Then if it malfunctions and isn't burning properly...Also, VF (ventfree) units have a particular smell. If you've ever smelled it you'd know it as soon as you smelled it. It can bother people that are sensitive to smells as well as those with asthma.

DV=Direct Vent, a type of vented stove or fireplace. There's also B-Vent. (both B-Vent and DV refer to a venting type based on flue style I believe) For your fireplace though, there are just "vented log" sets which are neither, they use your existing flue.

 

[K Biles]

So, you think vented logs would be the best for my situation and just use it for ambience basically and not as a heat source?

Thanks for all of your help and patience so far!

 

[eclecticcottage]

I've never tried vented logs in a fireplace, someone might be able to chime in here and say if it will actually throw any heat or not. As you said, your other option would be to tear it out and start over, allowing you to have a lot more options (gas, wood, pellets and stove or fireplace).

 

[RSNovi]

I have this exact same fireplace. I had a gas log set in there that vented up the open chimney. Very little heat was produced. I installed a jotul c350 wood burning insert which heats better. You might consider installing a gas insert.