 So, you have a new home and are anxious to burn a wood fire. One problem, however, is this funny looking bar in the back of the fireplace. It is a gas line! You wouldn’t dare start a wood burning fire in there. The bar could catch fire and the house may explode, right? The answer is no.
Gas starters, also known as log bars, are a wonderful, convenient and safe way to start your wood fire. The biggest benefit to a gas starter is you will have less creosote and a healthier start to your fire. It works like this. Stack your wood on a grate just like you would normally. Keep it loose with plenty of air gaps. Place kindling below the logs. Now open the gas valve and strike a match to light the bar. Leave the gas valve open as long as necessary to get the logs burning then shut it off completely. No newspaper needed. Since you are not using material or fluid to light your fire, you are saving your chimney from harmful build up. Log bars can last for several years depending on the conditions inside the firebox. Eventually, the burner may begin to break down. Replacing it is cheap and easy. A new log bar is around $30 and can be screwed in just like a shower head. Don’t forget to check for leaks.
13 Comments
4/7/2020 04:27:13 pm
It's good to know that you can prevent your chimney from harmful build-up by using a gas to light your fireplace. I love fireplaces but they do cause a lot of potential health issues if not used properly. I want to get one so I think i"ll get it but only ever use gas on it so I don't cause any hazardous side effects. 8/20/2020 12:23:44 am
Can one use the log bar with fake logs when one doesn’t feel like having a wood fire?
ASH Green
9/5/2020 05:19:57 am
Wow :) 11/4/2020 12:48:08 am
Thanks for sharing this valuable blog post. It is very interesting and informative. Keep it up!! 11/8/2020 11:16:20 pm
Thank you for explaining that a gas starter for our fireplace is a healthy and safer alternative for our home. The other day my sister mentioned that she would like to have a fireplace installed for her home. Seeing how she has kids, I will advise her to have a gas line installed so that she will have a fire starter installed.
Teyah
12/7/2020 10:42:04 am
My home has a gas starter but the on off switch for gas line needs like a special tool to use. If anyone can answer these questions I’d appreciate it!
Csaba
1/17/2021 02:29:37 pm
You can find a replacement fireplace gas valve key at Menards or Home Depot, or any other hardware store.
Eric Hill
1/17/2021 06:44:10 pm
I have a fireplace that has a gas lock for gas assist. I would like to install gas logs is it possible to connect them to the gas assist log 1/22/2021 01:08:28 am
Nice blog! Very informative and creative. 6/18/2021 06:29:27 pm
You made an excellent point that when looking for gas fireplace, it is important for us to ensure it is installed by professionals. It makes sense as in doing so, it will be installed properly. I will keep this tip in mind and hire a professional. 8/23/2021 10:43:29 am
I want to start using my fireplace, but I don't want my chimney to get filled up with gunk from it. It's good to know that you can get gas fireplace logs for this kind of thing! The fact that they don't cause any buildup makes them the perfect choice for me.
Carolyn Sparks
10/4/2021 12:13:54 am
My fireplace has a center access for natural gas but we didn’t have a gas bar when we bought the house. Most of the bars look like they feed/access from one end. Is there a style otherwise? My house is early 1970’s. I presume this was part of the original fireplace. It’s definitely a gas feed since we have the key and know where the valve turns on. Thanks so much! Leave a Reply. |
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