A gas fireplace can be a great addition to your home, but it is important to know how the media should be arranged. There are three main types of media: logs on top of coals, coals on top of logs, or both together. In this article we will discuss the pros and cons for each arrangement as well as some tips for getting the best out of your gas fireplace.
A gas fireplace is a great way to enjoy the warmth of an old-fashioned fire without having to worry about any messy cleanup. The only problem with them, however, is that it’s not always obvious how to arrange your media. There are three popular ways that people use for arranging their logs or coals in their gas fireplace: straight across, zig zag pattern, and circular pattern. Which one you should choose depends on what kind of look you want for your home’s design scheme.
How to Arrange Gas Fireplace Logs
WARNING! Before arranging logs in a gas fireplace, consult the owner’s manual for specific instructions. If you’re not sure about the spot, get help from a professional gas specialist. If you use a gas fireplace without the logs in the correct position, it will cause an explosion.
The correct position for wood logs is on top of the grates. If there’s a screen grate, you’ll want to place it in front of the firebox and keep it open until burning starts. Then shut the air intake so that all oxygen comes from inside the fireplace instead of outside air coming into contact with hot embers or flames. If the flames go out, open up the screen so you can get more oxygen.
If there’s a pan grate in front of your fireplace it needs to be raised off the bottom of firebox and filled with water or another heat-resistant material such as sand. You’ll also need to raise any lava rocks above this level for proper ventilation.
If you have ceramic logs, they should be placed in the firebox with care. If you’re not sure of your skills or experience using them, get help from a professional gas specialist before arranging any fuel source. Do not place glass components on top of log embers until all flame is gone and only glowing coals remain. This will prevent glass from cracking.
When arranging gas logs, the burner needs to be located in front of your fireplace and below any opening where you can see fire or flame through the unit controls. If you have a decorative screen grate between the burners and air intake controls, leave it closed until ignition starts when flames are visible at all times during operation.
Is Log Placement Important in a Gas Fireplace?
Log placement is important. It’s the difference between a cozy fire and an uncomfortable one that doesn’t heat up the room enough to even want it on! The goal of log placement in your gas fireplace is not only aesthetic, but practical. You need some logs stacked tightly together while others are scattered around so they create pockets of heat in the fireplace. You can also stack wood vertically to give your flames more height and create a better view of the fire for yourself!
You don’t want all logs stacked tightly together. Some need to be spread out, while others are close together. The goal is not entirely aesthetic but practical. Log placement creates pockets of heat, and you can stack logs vertically to give the fire height.
Logs should be stacked tightly together or scattered around so they create pockets of heat in the fireplace. The goal is not only aesthetic but practical as well. You want some log stacks close together while others are spread out so they create pockets of heat that move throughout the room. You can stack logs vertically to give the fire height and a better view.
Log placement is important in gas fireplaces because it’s what makes them cozy or uncomfortable. The goal of log placement isn’t only aesthetic but practical as well, creating pockets of heat throughout the room with some stacked closely together while others are spread out. Logs can also be stacked vertically to give the fire height and a better view.
How to Arrange Gas Fireplace Coals
Attention! Consult the owner’s manual for details about how to put coals in a gas fireplace, especially if you’re not familiar with this type of fireplace. If you’re not sure where to put the coals, contact a certified gas specialist for assistance.
Besides safety, arranging the coals properly is important to get that cozy fireplace feeling. Here are some tips:
- Start by placing a small amount of charcoal in an open corner or along one side of the grate for your initial fire and add more as needed. You don’t want to start with too many at once because it will take too long for the fire to catch.
- Stack coals in a pyramid shape, but don’t pile them on top of each other. Leave an inch or two between layers so that air can circulate freely through the charcoal bed and flames are able to reach all parts of your fireplace. When you build up multiple pyramids, place one on top of the other, making sure to stagger them one way or another.
- Leave a small space between each layer for optimum air flow throughout your pile of coals.
- Place hardwood logs in front and around the bottom edges of your pyramid so that flames can lick up from underneath without going out when they hit a coal bed or hardwood log directly.
- Keep the fire behind your fireplace screen for safety and to keep it from heating up too much. Keeping a small, well-placed fire will ensure that you get cozier heat without wasting energy or overheating your space.
Environmental Protection
The EPA has determined that the best way to dispose of used fireplace fuel is by recycling. There are no specific rules for how you should arrange your gas logs/coal in a fireplace, as long as they create a safe environment and do not block airflow.
Steps for Using Gas Logs or Coals in a Fireplace
To begin, open the fuel supply valve at the bottom of your gas log set. If you are using a remote control with an on/off switch, push it to turn the logs on. You may also want to light tinder or kindling in your fireplace before doing this so that flame is already present when you first start working with the logs.
Logs must be used in a metal grate that is appropriate to the size of your fireplace opening and should always have a mesh screen covering it to prevent embers from escaping into the room. The bottom log on the media set will need to sit on top of this grate with an inch or two showing above it for air flow.
The next step is to place a barrier made of non-combustible material such as brick or stone around the front and sides that will prevent burning embers from falling onto combustible surfaces. Then, turn your blower on high if it has an adjustable speed setting. The last thing you do before lighting your logs is set them so they are sitting at a 45 degree angle.
Once you have arranged your logs in this manner, shut off the gas supply valve. Using fireplace matches or lighter fluid-soaked kindling, light the fire from its base until it reaches about an inch up either side of each log. If everything is working properly, after several minutes flames should extend the full length of your logs.
Once you have determined that everything is working properly, turn down or completely shut off your blower and watch as flames dance behind the glass front panel to provide a beautiful natural fireplace display in any home!
Safety Tips
Always have a fire extinguisher on hand when you use your fireplace. We recommend keeping one in the same place that your fireplace is located, so it can be easily accessed if needed for an emergency.
- Make sure to keep flammable objects at least three feet away from all sides of the fireplace.
- Keep children and pets well away from the fireplace.
- Keep a window or door cracked when using your fireplace to ensure proper ventilation and avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Don’t use flammable liquids such as gasoline, lighter fluid, etc. for starting fires in the fireplace – only use natural fire starters that are commercially available from stores selling logs and other items for home wood burning appliances.
- Always make sure you have a proper working fire place screen in the fireplace if one was not included with your unit to avoid burns and sparks from flying out of the fireplace.
- Keep flammable objects at least three feet away from all sides of the fireplace, including mantel pieces, artwork, drapes or other hanging items.
FAQs
What is the difference between logs and coals?
Coals are usually made from hardwood, which burns at a higher temperature than log fire. Logs tend to be softer woods, such as ash or elm, which burn more slowly and produces less heat – perfect if you want an open-air fireplace used for heating smaller spaces. Coals are generally used in fireplaces for homes with larger spaces to heat.
What is the best way to arrange my logs?
It depends on what kind of experience you want; whether you prefer a traditional or contemporary look, if your room has high ceilings and wide rooms or low ceilinged open-plan rooms. If you like an airy or open look, lay them loosely. You could also try a log cabin effect – where you stack logs on top of each other to make one big log cabin. If you like the traditional cozy feel and want your fire place to define that space use as many as possible, or if it is just for looks then arrange in any way which best suits your space.
What is a fire dog? And how do I use one?
A fire dog, also known as a grate, or andirons are iron bars that hold up the burning logs in traditional open-grate style fireplaces – they keep them from rolling out onto the floor! In closed fireplace designs you can put a small grate in the firebox. You can also use a few bricks to keep logs from rolling out of your fireplace, or buy a stand for decorative purposes that holds up the log and will prevent it from moving around while burning.
Can I use coal instead if wood?
Yes! Coal is an excellent choice, it burns cleaner and hotter than wood. You can also use coal in combination with logs or even on its own, which has a different effect to the look of your fireplace – you could try burning charcoal for an open airy feel, it looks great!
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many different ways to arrange fireplace media. You should take into account the size of your gas logs or coals, as well as how long you plan on having them burning for. If they will be left unattended, larger pieces may burn out faster and pose a fire hazard. However if it’s just for a short time, smaller pieces may not give off as much heat.