Can I have a wood AND gas buring fireplace together?

12 years ago

Hi. I am about to remodel my house and I thought that this would be a great time to see if it's possible to keep my wood burning fireplace BUT to also somehow add the option of just using it as a gas fireplace when we are too lazy to put real wood in there.

Oh, and I don't want an insert. Right now the inside of my fireplace is painted brick and I would like to keep it that way, or similar.

Is this possible?

Please help and thank you!

Featured Answer

pambo123

last year

last modified: last year

My parents second home was built in Seattle area in late 1970s. I distinctly recall that the contractor said that in their two fireplaces--both of which were outfitted with gas logs--that they could also burn wood in there (like seemingly on top of the fake logs and gas jets). My Dad, who was a super smart engineer, thought that did not make sense. My mother, who hated cleaning out all the ask in their other home (where they had a white WTW carpet originally), did not want to risk clogging up the gas jets, or damaging the unit. BUT: I have an excellent memory...and I do recall the contractor told them they could burn either (without taking out the fake logs?? I like real wood burning fireplaces. But, after living i their home with the gas logs, it is wonderful to just turn it on (or off, or down) whenever you feel like it (with little maintenance). no snap, crackle, and pop--but honestly, the low-maintenance, we used the gas logs more. Great for parties, and quick get togethers. Signed, PYRO Pamela

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Comments (7)

dakota01
12 years ago
Yes, I had that at my last house
takepride
12 years ago
Sounds like you are talking about a gas log set. These units fit into a wood fireplace. You cannot however switch back and forth between wood and gas. It is one or the other, but it allows to to convert a wood fireplace to gas without putting in an insert.
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susie53_gw
12 years ago
You sure can.. My daughter has it in her home....... They love it....
mjtx2
12 years ago
You mean you can light it as a gas log set one day and then another day put logs on there and they burn, create ash, and can be cleaned? I am confused!
MGS90
12 years ago
Not really a possibility to switch back and forth. You are able to take a wood burning fireplace and install a gas log set, but you cannot and should not at any time attempt to burn real wood in it after installing a gas log set. For the simplest reason, a gas log set has a gas line run to it. You don't want to have undirected fire near a gas line. In other technical issues, you have to fix the damper open on the fireplace to use a gas log set, which creates a pretty big draft, and will exhaust quite a bit of your heated room air when the unit is not in operation.
PRO
Hansen Wholesale
last year
The contractor who said this was either wrong or, you are mistaken about leaving the gas logs and burner in while piling wood on top.

You choose one or the other. If you want to burn wood, you must remove the gas logs and burner.