Stinky burn and white coating

[KYDIYer]

Hello!

Three things for anyone who'd care to toss some advice...

1. Been in this house for 13 years and we cannot get the stink out of our burn. Anytime we turn on our logs, there is a bad odor that accompanies the burn. We have finally just quit using them. I have been told it could be dust and pet dander, but I clean them very well annually. Would be awesome to get this gone. Any suggestion?

2. There is this white powder all over the logs and pilot light assembly. I understand this to be a result of combustion but is it normal? I have included some photos.

3. I have been told the flame shouldn't touch the logs. Is this really the case, because my pilot is directly under the back log... by design. In addition, should the wool be in front of, on top of, or behind the burner holes?

Appreciate everyone and their input!
Thanks in advance!

 

[Lennox65]

Hello!

Three things for anyone who'd care to toss some advice...

1. Been in this house for 13 years and we cannot get the stink out of our burn. Anytime we turn on our logs, there is a bad odor that accompanies the burn. We have finally just quit using them. I have been told it could be dust and pet dander, but I clean them very well annually. Would be awesome to get this gone. Any suggestion?

2. There is this white powder all over the logs and pilot light assembly. I understand this to be a result of combustion but is it normal? I have included some photos.

3. I have been told the flame shouldn't touch the logs. Is this really the case, because my pilot is directly under the back log... by design. In addition, should the wool be in front of, on top of, or behind the burner holes?

Appreciate everyone and their input!
Thanks in advance!

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Vent free units have no chimney so all of the exhaust is put into the house. There is always an odor.

Hi. I've been searching online for hrs and cant find anything about my current situation. I hope you guys can help.

About a month ago i had a chimney company install 24" (Vented) gas logs with a g46-24-17 burner pan with variable remote from rh Peterson. After a couple of days. I notice that the logs were turning white as if the dye/paint was burning off.


I called installer who said in all the 38 yrs of business he have never seen this but replaced the logs with no problems. However after turning on the replacement logs for the first time they appear to be turning white again. Contacted manufacturer no help at all. Contacted installer, he is stumped but I actively looking for a solution.

Thanks in advancegor all you guys help.

Looks like it may be silicates. Often from minerals or impurities in the gas supply or the air it is burning. See it more commonly with Vent Free appliances, as that stuff can get everywhere in problem situations (with no chimney to help 'remove' those deposits). I generally recommend cleaning out as much of the drywall and construction dust in and around the fireplace (as they are often in wood prefabs installed when the home is built, that are still full of drywall and plaster dust).

Normally this is from chemical vapors in the supply air. When burning indoor air, this can be from plug in air fresheners, crayons, any sprays, perfume , deodorant or cleaners, especially from laundry areas. In your case there may be some silicone or other sealers out gassing as they cure in or near the intake vent. Burning those vapors creates a white ash which sticks to cooler surfaces like cooked on baking soda.

The back log that sits over the pilot acts as a pilot shield so you will always have some impingement on that log. The ember material for a vent free unit is usually only placed on the smaller burner ports at the very front of the burner.

 

[spuldup]

That is because fire needs ignition source, fuel, and oxygen for perfect combustion. Air is not just oxygen, and indoor air is even worse off. Every time we bring even, say, a shopping bag in the home, it is outgassing chemicals. We may not notice them but since burning basically intensifies everything so any going through the combustion process will leave a sign. Household cleaners are really notorious for this with ventless fireplaces. Ducting outside are would be optimal, but even a HEPA filter and avoiding running the fire on cleaning days can help.