If you try to burn wood in a pre-built gas fireplace, you’ll end up with disaster as the smoke won’t be properly distributed out of your home. A propane fireplace uses about one gallon of propane per 100,000 BTU. Before you can use the fireplace to burn wood, you need to cap your gas line off completely. The reason for that is to prevent hazardous combustion gasses from being able to enter a dwelling if the damper were closed. However, you should only undertake this sort of project if you have experience working with natural gas and take proper safety precautions. Most gas inserts can be easily removed with a crescent wrench. Converting a wood-burning fireplace to a gas fireplace would also include removing the wood fireplace and chimney and installing a prefabricated gas fireplace with a chimney or vent system approved by the gas fireplace manufacturer. In these homes, the fireplace is considered a gas appliance and doesn’t have an actual flue and chimney associated with it. Gas, on the other hand, is clean and nearly instant. What you’ll pay depends primarily on the type of gas fireplace you choose, whether it's a vented insert, vented gas log or ventless gas log. To convert a wood burning fireplace to burn gas, you would first have a plumber run a gas line to the fireplace (to code) and then buy a proper burner system and gas logs. Read This First. If you’re not sure if your fireplace is safe to use, it’s probably time for an inspection. How to Convert a Fireplace Back to Wood From Gas, By creating an account you agree to the Hunker, Chimney Safety Institute of America: Home, We Love Fire: How a Gas Fireplace is Converted to a Woodburning Unit. Natural gas can cause carbon monoxide leaks that can kill. Gas fireplaces burn cleaner, are easier to use, and require virtually no time to start and stop the fire. If your flue is damaged, you can fit a stainless steel flue over the original fireplace flue. This is because wood combustion creates smoke. This type of work might require a consultation by a home contractor or other expert, so be sure to reach out for their input before proceeding. Carbon monoxide is a dangerous gas because it has no smell and can't be seen. You may luck out and just need to pull the electric out or get an wood inert that actually heats your house. In the event the fireplace and/or chimney was exposed to water or suffered a chimney fire in the past, then the scope of chimney repairs and the cost to convert a gas fireplace back to wood burning would naturally be more expensive. A gas lighter makes starting fires much easier than manually doing it yourself. You should consult a professional for the sake of safety. Proper maintenance begins with good old fashioned hygiene. An authentic flame can be easily achieved at the push of a button, and ceramic logs convincingly imitate the look everyone loves. The chimney is the most important aspect of a wood burning fireplace so you can’t let this step slip through the cracks. Whatever we find, we can fix. Clean the fireplace out and ensure that your flue is going to function properly before reassembling the unit. The crackling of the wood combined with its unmistakable smell can create an intimate, comfortable ambiance for entertaining. For any inspecting and cleaning needs, you can count on Vertical Chimney Care to make sure your home is ready for a fireplace conversion. How to Convert a Fireplace to a Wood Burner By James Cooper Things You'll Need. Though it's possible to check the vents yourself, it may be a good idea to contact a certified chimney sweep to have them check your fireplace system for safety before you use it to burn wood. I have a fireplace that originally was wood burning but was converted to gas. That means if your propane fireplace is rated 50,000 BTU, you will be using one gallon of propane for every two hours your propane fireplace is operating. In case of a wood burning fireplace, you have to check the draft, set up logs, … If a fireplace was originally wood burning then converted to gas, there may be damage to the chimney flue itself. We do not recommend anyone use vent-free gas logs with a wood-burning stove. It's capped at one end, with a bunch of smallish holes drilled in the top. They may have gone with electric because of the cost to re-line. Shut off the main gas valve. A gas fireplace can provide unparalleled convenience and the pleasure of a warm fire on a cold day, but many people believe nothing compares to the ambiance created by burning wood. If you try to burn wood in a pre-built gas fireplace, you’ll end up with disaster as the smoke won’t be properly distributed out of your home. Alternatively, you can choose to convert the line into a gas log lighter. You're probably wondering about how to convert a gas fireplace to wood burning insert. Before you convert a gas fireplace to wood, you’ll need to have your chimney inspected. That's literally all it is. Some buildings, such as registered historic homes, have strict requirements when it comes to renovations. Before you begin working on the fireplace conversion, you should check with your municipality to ensure you're building code compliant. The photo shows a traditional open fireplace restored with a Piazzetta pellet-burning insert. Hunker may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. For example, some homes are originally built with gas fireplaces in them. Hammer. Before you change your fireplace back to its original state, it's advised that you have an inspection done. It's unadvised to simply pull out the gas logs and throw wood logs into the fireplace. If you want to convert your gas fireplace to wood, leave it to the professionals so you have the comfort of knowing the job is getting done safely and correctly. Safety goggles. Masonry nails, 1 1/2-inch. For some homeowners, converting their gas fireplace into a wood burning unit may require much more work than others. However, a specific price for converting a wood fireplace to gas depends on many factors, with a possible cost range of $500 to $5,500. Tin snips. Your decision really comes down to how much a priority heating efficiency is for you. Homeowners who need a whole new chimney installed don’t need to worry about this tip because your chimney will be built ready to go. In order to convert these gas fireplaces into wood ones, you’ll need to do a complete fireplace replacement project and have a flue and chimney installed. Learn more our maintenance process here. Get a free quote now for any of our fireplace and chimney services. She holds a Master of Science in Publishing from Pace University. In situations like this, … It’s better to know everything before you start investing in such a major project for your home. If you're working on your fireplace and have a headache or begin to feel tired, you should leave the house immediately, as you might have a leak. However, there are many very important things to consider when you want to convert your gas fireplace to a wood burning one. So, if you’re one of the many homeowners who wants to recapture the warm and cozy feeling of a real wood burning fireplace, follow our advice and tips below to make sure everything goes smoothly and safely. Bottom line: Electric fireplace inserts are a good choice if you have a non-functioning chimney or wish to place a TV over the mantel, and they typically cost less to install than a gas insert. The whole process can cost up to $300, provided your flue is in good shape. Gas fireplaces provide all the aesthetic of a real fireplace, minus some of the operating hassles of a wood-burning fixture. Dust mask. Barnhart says the next step involves removing the gas logs or insert and either capping off the gas line or installing a gas log lighter. Since it involves major construction to the home the time it takes varies per home. A literal flip of the switch will heat your home and simulate the sensation of a wood-burning fireplace. When a gas fireplace with its venting system is built as part of the construction of the home, the builder made everything to operate safely only with gas. The good news for homeowners who have a gas-fueled fireplace but who would prefer a wood-burning fireplace is that converting from gas to wood fuel may be an option. While gas fireplaces don't create the same smoke that wood-burning fireplaces do, they do yield corrosive chemicals when burning. Since gas fireplaces don’t really utilize the chimney, yours may not be ready for a wood burning one just yet. It is simply a standard gauge gas pipe running directly through the middle of the fireplace. How to Convert Your Wood Burning Fireplace Gas fireplaces, by contrast, don't yield the same by-products of consumption. Venting a gas fireplace is essentially a more simple proposition than venting a wood-burning fireplace. Sheet metal. Because it is in its natural form and requires little processing, natural gas is considered to be the most environment-friendly fossil fuel around. As wonderful as wood is, there may eventually come a day when you’d like to convert your fireplace to gas. level 2. it’s no longer necessary to put wood in the firebox once an hour in order to keep the fire going. There is much less work to be done for these homes in order to convert back to a traditional wood burning fireplace. First, you must call a Gas Safe Register engineer , who will disconnect your gas supply and cap off the connection. There are a few solutions to dealing with overly dried firewood. Danielle Smyth is a writer and content marketer from upstate New York. Like gas fireplace inserts, they provide good heat. Some of the great benefits you’ll notice straight away when you convert your wood-burning fireplace into a pellet fireplace:. Although gas fireplaces offer convenience, ease of use and similar aesthetics to a traditional wood burning fireplace, many people have the urge to convert a gas fireplace to wood because they can’t get the full effect with a gas fireplace. We dedicate our services to keeping your home cleaner and safer. Understandably, it may seem a daunting task, but don't panic. Think about the time and money you would spend on a wood fireplace. Pollution laws sometimes prohibit this sort of work, though you may be able to install an EPA-approved stove that burns wood. Converting a Wood-Burning Fireplace into a Gas Fireplace? If I want to convert my wood-burning fireplace to gas, is a set of gas logs or a gas insert going to be my best option? There is no way to convert a gas fireplace to burn wood, unless you are very lucky and the gas fireplace is an insert in a properly functioning solid fuel fireplace (in which case you basically just remove the insert, and have the fireplace inspected). If you do most of the work yourself, the costs will, of course, be different. A masonry fireplace gives you the most options. If you want to convert a gas fireplace to wood, you can usually do so by capping the gas line, checking the flue and removing the gas logs. However, if you currently have a chimney associated with your gas fireplace, you must have it inspected before you start anything else. Convert Electric Fireplace back to Wood Burning. While there have been major strides in fireplace technology, wood-burning units create a classic experience you may wish to return to. If this is the type of gas fire that you have, then it is a simple process to remove it and go back to burning real wood. You'll first have to check if you have a venting system that can handle the smoke of burning wood. But because exceptionally dry wood produces more smoke, it’s easy for intense fires to overwhelm your flue system with too much to exhaust – leading to your fireplace back puffing. Add a little fire, turn on the gas, and it lights up like a stove burner. You can even use a remote control for controlling the fire’s intensity. If the fireplace was originally gas, you may not be able to convert it to a wood-burning unit. Wood burning fireplaces can be converted to gas fireplaces. If there's anything cosmetic that you want to change with your fireplace, this is an excellent time to do so. But there are different approached to converting and a few things to consider first like the cleanliness and quality of the existing fireplace. Teri, before you can convert a gas fireplace to a wood burning system you will first need to hire a contractor who knows the challenges of such a project and is very familiar with the fire and building codes in your local area. If you decide to do the project yourself, be sure that you turn your gas line off before proceeding to work on it. Remember, converting a gas fireplace to a wood burning one is a process that takes extreme attention to detail and skill. Gas fireplaces have come a long way, and if you’re ready to convert your old wood-burning unit to a more convenient solution, here’s how to install your first gas burning fireplace. Vented gas logs must be used in a wood-burning fireplace that has a masonry chimney or metal chimney pipe. If you want a lot of heat from your fireplace, you should consider a direct vent gas insert. On the other hand, you may have a home that originally did have a wood burning fireplace but then a gas operated one was installed to replace it. In order to change a gas fireplace to a wood-burning stove or fireplace, you should first have the system inspected for the sake of safety. Part of installing a gas log set involves removing or permanently wiring the damper open. She also runs her own lifestyle blog, Sweet Frivolity (www.sweetfrivolity.com). After you’ve made sure that your chimney is in proper condition and ready for a wood burning fireplace, you can finally finish out converting from gas to wood. There are two types of gas logs: vented and ventless. In order to complete your fireplace conversion project, you must first know what you’re dealing with in your current home. Even if you’re sure that your home is able to undergo a gas to wood fireplace conversion, you should still check because the last thing you want is to have legal trouble on your hands. During your fireplace conversion project, you’ll need to make sure a number of things are working and that your chimney is properly cleaned. Whenever you’re dealing with a fireplace remodeling project, you can never be too safe. Unlike a wood fireplace, a gas fireplace is very convenient to use. For your safety, you should not undertake any projects involving natural gas without the assistance of a qualified professional unless you have experience with this sort of work. She owns her own content marketing agency, Wordsmyth Creative Content Marketing (www.wordsmythcontent.com), and she enjoys writing home and DIY articles and blogs for clients in a variety of related industries. Gas logs are installed in a fireplace designed to burn wood. The only real action that takes place at this point is removing the gas logs and either tapping off the gas line or having a gas lighter installed for your wood fireplace. Originally, this was the reason that many home builders switched to gas fireplaces over wood burners. Is it possible to convert back to wood burning? If you don't do this, you risk filling your home with smoke when you use the fireplace. If you want to combine the classic look of a wood fireplace with energy efficiency and a higher heat output, consider a wood insert from Saratoga Fireplace and Stove. Not only is the natural gas environmentally friendly, but a gas fireplace also eliminates the need for wood. You don’t have to chop or store wood, tend to the fire, wait for it to burn out, or clean up ash. Older wood-burning fireplaces aren’t efficient or effective sources of heat. After you’ve figured out if your fireplace can be converted into a wood burning one, you’ll need to check with your local municipality to figure out if there are any building codes and permits that you’ll need to abide by. Convenience and efficiency are the main reasons you’d want to convert a wood burning fireplace to gas. In order to convert these gas fireplaces into wood ones, you’ll need to do a complete fireplace replacement project and have a flue and chimney installed. A fireplace insert is a gas burning appliance that is inserted into an existing wood burning fireplace and the exhaust system is connected to the existing chimney. You’ll also probably need a chimney cleaning before you finish your gas to wood fireplace conversion project. Wood-burning stoves: Wood burning stoves have not been approved or tested for use with vent-free gas logs. There may also be rules from your homeowners association or city that must be followed. Find out more about our repair process here. It's far simpler to vent out a gas fireplace than a wood-burning one. Ideally, you'd contact a professional to complete the work. My wood fireplace has a "gas log lighter". Screwdriver. Work gloves. Tape measure. Want to upgrade your fireplace? You’ll need to make sure that the brick and mortar, chimney liner, damper, crown and cap are all in good condition. The big question is the chimney, if for example this was originally fireplace that had a gas insert installed then conversion back to regular wood is easy project. Experts say the process to convert to a wood burning fireplace is relatively simple, once you’ve determined that all of the parts are in working order. Reason being, the gas is more decorative then heat producing, and plus its just not as fun as making a real fire. Everyone loves the coziness and warmth of a crackling wood-burning fire. It’s easy to picture. From replacing fireplace dampers to sweeping chimneys, Vertical Chimney Care has been Chicagoland’s go to choice since 1985. There is an on-off switch to ignite the fire. However, not every gas fireplace is able to be converted to wood. Some changes include having ventless gas logs, or having a professional attach a gas line. Disconnect the gas logs, and remove them from the fireplace. If your fireplace meets the safety requirements, there are some important advantages to burning vent-free gas logs in your wood-burning fireplace. Converting from a gas fireplace to a wood-burning one is becoming popular nowadays because of the simplicity it can offer to homeowners. Conversion is only possible when the fireplace was originally constructed to burn wood. Gas fireplaces or inserts don’t require as much maintenance as wood fireplaces, but they still need to be checked regularly by someone trained in fireplace service. It’s imperative that every part of your chimney is ready to go before you start burning wood in your fireplace again. Turning a gas fireplace into a wood-burning one is possible in some instances. There's really nothing like the feeling of sitting in front of a wood-burning fireplace. 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