One of the biggest problems people have with a gas fireplace is how to actually get the thing started. There are no logs to light, no need for a match, and no electric switch to get the fire going. So you might be left scratching your head and trying to figure out how to light a gas fireplace? After all, every gas fireplace is different.
Thankfully, the process couldn’t be easier, and this article is going to show you how to light your gas fireplace so you can get back to warming yourself in front of the fire. No matter which one you have in your home.
What You Will Need
- Your gas fireplace
- The fireplace manual
- The location of the gas supply line
- The location of the pilot light
Those three things are basic, and work for all types of fireplaces. The most important thing that you will need is the manual. Inside the owner’s manual for your fireplace, they will tell you exactly how to light it. Read the manual and you will see what you need, especially if you need to use a fireplace key.
The fireplace key should have been stored with your fireplace, and if your fireplace is started with a key system, you will need access to it to move forward with this guide.
Additionally, the pilot light should be easy to spot, as it is the small flame that keeps burning even with the fireplace off. If you have turned it off, then you will need to restart it before you can get the actual fireplace turned on. Again, the systems for turning on and kickstarting the pilot light are different depending on the fireplace, so take a look at your fireplace manual to see all the details.
How to Turn on a Gas Fireplace – Step by Step Instructions
1. Remove or Open The Fireplace Cover
In order to light the fireplace, we need to get inside, so remove the decorative cover that keeps your fireplace shielded from the rest of the room. It is designed to come off, so don’t worry about breaking it. Set it aside, and also make sure that the ventilation system is open and ready to go.
No matter what, you should always have adequate ventilation before starting any type of fire, so get the prep out of the way first.
2. See How To Turn It On
Most fireplaces, unless specified otherwise in the manual, have a gas control knob which is next to a colored button. Press this button and you should see the pilot light turn on whenever you turn the gas control to start the gas. Keep pushing the button until the pilot light turns on.
If your fireplace has no button, you will need to light the flame manually with a lighter or match. Be careful with this, but insert the flame into the pilot light tube, and the light should catch it.
3. Lighting the Fire
If the pilot light remains lit, then you can use the pilot knob to control the intensity of the flames. If you need to use a key valve to control the fire, then the steps are the same. You can insert and turn the key to open the gas valves once you have turned on the pilot light, and then control the fire’s height by using the key.
4.Replace the Screen
Finally, you will need to replace the screen in front of your fireplace and then you can get warm by the fire! Make sure to repeat this process if your fireplace doesn’t turn on with your normal methods because most problems stem from that pilot light.
5. How to Start Gas Fireplace – Video
Gas Fireplace FAQs
Should I turn off the pilot light?
Having the pilot light die on you is one thing, but for turning it off the answer is, it depends. If you aren’t going to be using your fireplace for a significant period of time, then yes. You can turn it off and then relight it whenever you want to use your fireplace again.
What If the Screen is hot?
If your fireplace won’t turn on after use, but the fireplace had been used previously, you might encounter a hot protective screen. If this happens, wait for the screen to cool down and be safe to touch before you remove it to start working on the fireplace interior.
How often should I clean my fireplace?
If you are going to open up your fireplace anyway, then you might decide to clean it. Cleaning the fireplace depends on how often you use it, and what type of fireplace was installed. If you are planning to use your fireplace for a long period of time, you should have it cleaned.
What If I lost my manual?
With the manual being very important for this guide, if you’ve tossed out or misplaced your manual then you will have a problem. Thankfully, it isn’t unsolvable! You can go to the manufacturer’s website and try to find an online manual there, or contact the manufacturer directly.
What If I have a wall switch?
Using a wall switch to control your fireplace is exactly the same steps as above, although instead of using a control panel, the wall switch should have a section where you can change the intensity of the flames. This will often be included in your manual if you need more information.
Conclusion
Lighting a gas fireplace can be a bit of a tricky process, especially since it requires you to get up close to where the fire is and fiddle with the pilot light. However, once you learn how to get your fireplace up and running, you won’t have to worry about it giving out on you, and you will be able to light it faster next time.
I hope you enjoyed this guide, and hopefully, it took all the mystery out of your gas fireplace. Now all you need to do is follow those simple instructions, and you’ll be in front of a roaring fire in no time!