Fire in the Fireplace

[radiogirl995]

Was reading about the heaters and I was curious if any of you ever burn wood in the fireplace?

I just bought a house with a beautiful fireplace and I'd love to get it going this winter - but not if it's going to be a problem for Tuki!!!

[cpryslek]

i would use only real wood. not any of premade logs as they have alot of different chemicals. and from prior exp. w/ burning logs they smoke alot and create alot of black residue. yuck! try not to burn alot of pine as pine creates alot of cerosote in the chimney and causes alot of problems.

[gbird]

what about gas fire places?

[Maui's Mom]

O I'm waiting for the gas fire place answer. I have a fireplace that is gas we used for years until the flock started to arrive.
What about burning gas ones in a different room from where they are ?

[Machelle]

I use my fireplace in the winter and I haven't had any problems. Just make sure that the wood is not wet or it will smoke. I dont know about gas fireplaces. I would think they would be ok as long as there is no gas leak.

[Lisa B]

I grew up with Fireplaces and birds. never had a problem tho you have to watch the smoke. wet wood will smoke.use only real logs, and no duraflame logs. duraflame type logs are TOXIC!

the gas ones are ok, as long as they are vented.
the ones that are not vented, that have fires because of a sterno type can IS NOT SAFE. I will try to post pictures later of what I mean......

[Maui's Mom]

Thanks Lisa, ours is vented, it was converted from real to gas because the childrens asthma is so bad that the wood chocked them but the gas was fine.

[Lisa B]

Facts About Vented Gas Fireplaces
Gas fireplaces are an ideal choice for anyone who wants to enjoy the warmth of a fire without the chores of hauling wood and cleaning ashes. Because gas fireplace options are growing in popularity every year, manufacturers have geared-up to offer us a wide selection of appliances. You'll find gas logs, freestanding gas stoves, and contained fireplace units that are mounted to a wall.
Some gas log fixtures are vented so that dangerous gases produced during the burn travel outside, just as they move up and out of a chimney in a traditional woodburning fireplace. There's more than one way to vent an appliance, so you can probably install vented gas logs in your home even if you do not have a usable chimney.


Top Vented Gas Logs in a Traditional Hearth

Vented gas logs can take the place of wood in a traditional hearth and chimney.
You can choose a unit that burns either natural or propane gas, but both types are always burned with the damper open.

Gas fireplaces are not a solution for a problem chimney. If the chimney is damaged, dirty, or doesn't draw air well enough to burn wood, it is not suitable for gas logs.

Chimneys previously used to burn wood should be professionally cleaned to remove creosote before gas logs are used.

Other Venting Options

If you do not have a chimney for top-venting, a special pipe can be installed to vent the appliance. Ask your installation expert about options for a top-venting pipe.
If a top-vent isn't practical, consider direct venting, which uses a 2-layer pipe running through a hole in the wall behind the unit, or positioned slightly above it. The outer pipe draws air in from the outside to create combustion for burning the gas. The inner pipe takes waste to the outside.

Direct venting is considered a safe system, since no air from inside is used in combustion, and all wastes flow to the outside. Both actions reduce the risks of carbon monoxide buildup within the house.


Flames that Resemble Wood Fires

Some vented gas fireplaces burn with a yellow flame that closely resembles a wood fire. That type of flame produces soot, so you might not want to use a blower with the logs. Other vented gas units burn with a blue flame, which is (usually) hotter, with more complete combustion and less soot.

Gas Log Building Codes

Building codes may require the damper in your chimney to be permanently blocked open if you install gas logs. You can reduce drafts and heat loss by installing glass doors in front of the gas fireplace, but the doors must remain open while the fire is burning.

Carbon Monoxide Risks
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, potentially lethal gas produced as a byproduct when fuels such as natural or propane gas, kerosene, and wood are burned. It's important to follow the manufacturer's instructions exactly when using any type of fuel-burning appliance.

[Lisa B]

DO NOT USE IF YOU HAVE BIRDS


Vent-Free Gas Log Fireplaces

Are Unvented Gas Logs the Right Solution for Your Home?
When you shop for gas logs you'll find there are two basic types, gas logs that vent to the outside just like a wood burning fireplace and gas logs that are not vented at all.
Burning gas or wood produces carbon monoxide, a potentially lethal gas, so you might wonder how a fireplace can be safely used without venting its wastes to the outside. Unvented gas logs are designed to produce a very hot flame that results in nearly complete fuel combustion, decreasing the levels of carbon monoxide and soot that are produced by other gas logs.

Unvented gas logs are always equipped with an Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS), which is designed to turn off the gas before carbon monoxide reaches a dangerous level in the room.

It's a good idea to install one or more carbon monoxide detectors in your home, no matter what type of fuel-burning appliance you have.

Detectors are an inexpensive way to put your mind at ease about carbon monoxide levels.

Where Can Unvented Gas Logs Be Installed?
Unvented gas logs can be housed in a masonry fireplace or in special fireboxes made to resemble a hearth.

If Your Gas Logs Create Moisture
Water is another byproduct of combustion. If you have vented gas logs, most of the moisture escapes out the vent, but when you use unvented gas logs the extra moisture enters your home. That can be a plus for many homes during dry winter months, but if your home is tightly insulated, or you have a humidifier, the excess moisture might show up as condensation on cold windows.

Gas Log Safety
Unvented gas logs generate a lot of heat. Keep combustibles away from the fireplace.

Always leave the fireplace doors open during use.

Only burn the gas logs for a few hours at a time. Never go to sleep and leave unvented gas logs burning.

Open a window slightly while the gas logs are burning, to let fresh air enter the room.
Bigger is not always better. For best air quality, the gas fireplace unit you install should be approved for the size of the room it will be used in.

Unvented gas logs are not legal in all areas, so check your local building codes before buying a gas appliance.

Always follow the manufacturer's instructions when using any type of fuel-burning appliance.

[Lisa B]

Winter Season Dangers-

Fireplaces -Yule logs, additives,
are poisonous. Smoke is an irritant.
Heaters - some are teflon coated,
some may be left unattended
which is ALWAYS a danger,
some may let off dangerous fumes.