Questions:

1. How do I know if I have a masonry Fireplace or a manufactured/prefab fireplace?
2. Can I go to bed or leave the house with a fire in the fireplace?
3. What about those chimney sweep logs?
4. Are the manufactured/store bought logs OK to use?
5. What is the difference between vented and ventless/ventfree gas logs?
6. Can I use gas logs if something is wrong with my chimney?

Q: How do I know if I have a masonry Fireplace or a manufactured/prefab fireplace?

A: A masonry fireplace is brick from the ground up. The top of the chimney is concrete and it will have terra cotta (clay) flue tiles in the center. Another good indicator is an ash dump door in the center of the firebox or a clean out door on the outside of the house.

A: A manufactured/prefabricated fireplace may have a wood or brick chimney but the top of the chimney has a metal pan. It may look like a large up-side-down cookie sheet and it will have a round metal flue in the center and a round metal chimney cap. Inside the firebox may have metal walls or firebrick panels as a firebox.

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Q: Can I go to bed or leave the house with a fire in the fireplace?

A: This is not a good idea because the fire is unattended.

If something goes wrong the only way to know it is by the sound of your smoke detector or alarm system. Even if you have glass doors and they are closed there is still a risk involved. The general rule of thumb is that if no visible flame is present the glass doors can be closed and the risk is lower but still present due to the heat.

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Q: What about those chimney sweep logs?

A: That chemical has been around for years in the form of a powder. Now it is available in a log form but they are expensive. They can cost as much as $18.00 for a single log. If you read the instructions they still recommend that the chimney be inspected and cleaned as needed. They do not clean the chimney they just change the chemical composition of some forms of creosote to make it cheaper to clean.

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Q: Are the manufactured/store bought logs OK to use?

A: If you do not have time for a wood burning fire or just want a "simple" fire the Duraflame logs may be a good idea. They produce less heat, smoke, and smell, and leave few ashes. Best of all they do not have popping embers and are clean burning. There has been no evidence that they negatively affect a chimney. Just make sure that you use only one at the time.

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Q: What is the difference between vented and ventless/ventfree gas logs?

A: Vented gas logs still require the chimney to vent the fumes and carbon monoxide out of the home. Along with that goes about 50%-60% of the heat and is just about as efficient as a wood burning fire. Vented gas logs can be put into just about any fireplace. Traditionally vented gas log are a little more realistic looking than ventless/ventfree.

Ventless/ventfree gas logs are basically a space heater that is designed to look like logs and be installed into a fireplace. They are about 99% efficient because the damper is partially or totally closed. They are normally installed into masonry and manufactured/prefab fireplaces. However, some manufactured/prefab fireplace manufacturers do not recommend ventless/ventfree logs in their fireplace either because the fireplace was not tested for that appliance or the fireplace cannot handle the heat buildup.

Clean Sweep Chimney Service doesn't recommend ventless/ventfree gas logs to be installed into masonry or manufactured/prefab fireplaces unless the fireplace is approved for that appliance. Ventless/ventfree fireboxes (manufactured/prefab fireplaces that are designed without a chimney) are, however, designed for use with these types of gas logs.

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Q: Can I use gas logs if something is wrong with my chimney?

A: The chimney has to be in working order and up to code to be recommended for use with any heat source. If the chimney has a problem, installing gas logs is not the answer since it is still a heat source. The National Fire Code and Building Code doesn't allow for installation of a gas appliance into a fireplace that is faulty.

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