Propane fireplace goes out

[mpt1123]

Hello :
I've had a Vermont Castings propane vent-free fireplace in my basement for about 6 years now and it been great. Recently the fireplace will go out after about half an hour. I assume that something needs to be cleaned but I'm not sure where to start. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike

 

[MountainStoveGuy]

Its probably depleting the oxygen and shutting down as a saftey feature, or the oxygen depletion sensor (ODS) is going out. Not much you can do with vent free as far as fixing them.

 

[n3vhr]

Your thermal coupler is probably going bad. I have vent-free gas logs. 3 years ago had the same problem. Changed the thermal coupler and worked fine until last week. Mine now runs for about 1/2 hour and shuts off. I will be replacing mine again this week. Hope that helps.

 

[mpt1123]

Firestarter :
Thanks for the tip. This stove has been problem-free for years. I guess I'll have to spend some time on some maintenance issues. Any idea where I can get the thermal coupler ( Vermont Castings ? ) and is this a relatively easy replacement job?
Thanks again.

 

[begreen]

How about your local dealer?

(broken link removed to http://www.vermontcastings.com/content/support/)

(PS: the part is called a thermocouple. It is what senses the flame temperature so that the stove isn't releasing gas without a flame present.)

 

[webbie]

Hello :
I've had a Vermont Castings propane vent-free fireplace in my basement for about 6 years now and it been great. Recently the fireplace will go out after about half an hour. I assume that something needs to be cleaned but I'm not sure where to start. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike

In general, vent-free logs have NO user serviceable parts - but you or a service pro might try these possibilities:

1. Use a straw and your mouth to blow air through the pilot tube to clean any dust out.
2. Remove and clean (with a pencil eraser) the end of the thermocouple where it attaches to the gas valve - NOT the end that the flame hits!

If this does not work, you must usually replace an entire assembly as provided by the manufacturer. Do not use generic parts. They may provide an entire thermocouple and ODS assembly or just the thermocouple, but be sure to use only parts from VC as per the manual on that particular stove.