Re igniting pilot light - to remove or not remove glass?

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LizGCH21

New Member
Dec 26, 2021
1
Seattle
We just moved into an older home with a Heatilator GNDC30, we wanted to use the fireplace but noticed there was no pilot light. The light was purposely turned off by the previously owners but they didn't leave any manual on how to light it up again. We found a manual for the fireplace but we are second guessing ourselves because videos from Heatilator (and all over the website) it says you absolutely must remove the glass before trying to re ignite the pilot light but our manual makes no mention of this. We have a standing pilot ignition. And the instructions do not mention anywhere how to remove the glass. Is it a must if we want to ignite the pilot light?

Manual

 
Welcome to the Gas Forum.
The reason to remove the glass is twofold:
1. It allows you to hear if the gas is flowing out of the pilot.
If you don't hear it, the gas may be shut off.
2. It prevents an exorbitant amount of gas to build up in the firebox.
If that happens, & you try to ignite it, it will all ignite at once.
There are pressure relief ports on the top of the firebox, to prevent the
glass front from shattering when that amount of built up fuel explodes,
but they may not be functional, or they need gasketing replaced if they
are forced to open.
If you take the glass off you can also ensure the inside of the firebox,
the logs and the glass are clean. You should probably replace the rock
wool embers as well.
You may have to bleed the gas line in order to get the fuel to the
pilot assembly, otherwise you may have to hold the pilot know in for
as long as 5 minutes...
Take the glass off, light the pilot, & enjoy your heater.
Make sure you have the glass securely fastened after you get it lit.