Can I convert my gas log fireplace to wood burning?

[scsiguru]

I have a gas log fireplace in a home I purchased five years ago. I haven't used the fireplace that often but recently went to start it and noticed that it's leaking gas from the starter box....so I turned off the gas at the valve with the key. The gas log unit is around 20 years old. I would like to convert the fireplace to burn wood using a gas starter pipe. I believe the fireplace was built as a wood burning unit but the previous owners never used it as such. I've attached some photos and would appreciate any thoughts on the set up and if I can burn wood.

 

[bholler]

Yes it looks like it could be used as a wood burning fireplace but a gas starter is not that simple to do you need a valve that is easily accesable and pretty far from the firebox. Regardless you need to have a pro evaluate the fireplace before using it for wood

 

[scsiguru]

Yes it looks like it could be used as a wood burning fireplace but a gas starter is not that simple to do you need a valve that is easily accesable and pretty far from the firebox. Regardless you need to have a pro evaluate the fireplace before using it for wood

Thanks for the info and tips. There is a valve on the floor of the family room. I have it shut off now because of the small leak in the gas log control box. What would be the "average" cost of a pro coming in to evaluate the fireplace? I can handle the installation of the gas starter pipe. By looking at the fireplace and in the flue it appears the fireplace has never been used to burn wood and there has always been a chimney cap on.

 

[webby3650]

Do you have a floor or wall valve that uses a key to turn on the gas? Like was mentioned, without that, a loglighter is gonna be tough. Might be easier to just abandon the gas line and light it the old fashioned way.

I notice the joints in the firebrick are very large. Which means that most likely the mason used traditional mortar rather than refractory cement to set the firebricks. It might not hold up as long as you might wish, but would be fine for weekend fires.

 

[scsiguru]

Do you have a floor or wall valve that uses a key to turn on the gas? Like was mentioned, without that, a loglighter is gonna be tough. Might be easier to just abandon the gas line and light it the old fashioned way.

I notice the joints in the firebrick are very large. Which means that most likely the mason used traditional mortar rather than refractory cement to set the firebricks. It might not hold up as long as you might wish, but would be fine for weekend fires.

I have a floor valve which uses as key. I don't plan on making a fire every other night but probably like you said mainly weekends and the occasional weekday.

 

[bholler]

I have a floor valve which uses as key. I don't plan on making a fire every other night but probably like you said mainly weekends and the occasional weekday.

It would probably be fine for that but like webby said it is not built that well because of the wide joints and the bricks laid on their sides it wont hold up as well as it would otherwise. As far as the price you would have to call around to check that but it needs to be done

 

[jtaves85mcss]

I will start off by saying the following is my very humble 'lay' opinion. That firebox was specified and built 20 years ago with the plan that a gas log set would be installed, nothing more. The wide 'mortar' joints, positioning of the gas supply and use of what (again, IMHO) appears to be a light weight damper damper (with no apparent external control of opening/closing) setup are indicative of such. The whole setup very well may meet those requirements today if you get the gas leak repaired before use. As noted by members with much more experience than me, I encourage you to seek expert advice from a certified sweep shop prior to any attempted conversion to wood burning with a gas 'starter'. The actual limitations of your ability to convert to wood burning should include determining current status of the smoke chamber, chimney flue, crown, and adequacy of their original construction as well.

 

[webby3650]

I will start off by saying the following is my very humble 'lay' opinion. That firebox was specified and built 20 years ago with the plan that a gas log set would be installed, nothing more. The wide 'mortar' joints, positioning of the gas supply and use of what (again, IMHO) appears to be a light weight damper damper (with no apparent external control of opening/closing) setup are indicative of such. The whole setup very well may meet those requirements today if you get the gas leak repaired before use. As noted by members with much more experience than me, I encourage you to seek expert advice from a certified sweep shop prior to any attempted conversion to wood burning with a gas 'starter'. The actual limitations of your ability to convert to wood burning should include determining current status of the smoke chamber, chimney flue, crown, and adequacy of their original construction as well.

Fireplace codes and standards have been in place for a very very long time, masons just typically do what ever they want. The firebox is to be constructed in a way that either can be used. They must be built to support wood burning if that is ever a possibility. The damper looks completely standard.

 

[jtaves85mcss]

Fireplace codes and standards have been in place for a very very long time, masons just typically do what ever they want. The firebox is to be constructed in a way that either can be used. They must be built to support wood burning if that is ever a possibility.

That is a great point that I had not considered. My concern and point is whether or not this fireplace, which based on the OPs comments, could be 20 years old was ever 'intended' to be a wood burner and subject to any type of building inspection. Was it on the original construction plans, or later built by a cousin's friend who claims to be a mason who did what he wanted.

 

[webby3650]

That is a great point that I had not considered. My concern and point is whether or not this fireplace, which based on the OPs comments, could be 20 years old was ever 'intended' to be a wood burner and subject to any type of building inspection. Was it on the original construction plans, or later built by a cousin's friend who claims to be a mason who did what he wanted.

That's the reason it should be inspected.

 

[bholler]

That is a great point that I had not considered. My concern and point is whether or not this fireplace, which based on the OPs comments, could be 20 years old was ever 'intended' to be a wood burner and subject to any type of building inspection. Was it on the original construction plans, or later built by a cousin's friend who claims to be a mason who did what he wanted.

in order to legally install gas logs like that it needs to be a working fireplace. Not that they always are which is why i said it needs inspected but chances are it is fine. And the fact that there is an external shutoff tells me it was most likely set up for a log lighter as well

 

[jatoxico]

A fireplace insert and liner would largely eliminate any concerns about the durability over time of the brick while giving some actual meaningful heat while burning. There's an investment to be sure but for me, it was always pointless to have the fire going the vast majority of the time. Just throwing that out there.