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sekifaca

Can I convert my gas Fireplace to a wood burning one???

sekifaca
10 years ago

Hey guys-
I included the pictures of my fireplace for reference.
I would like to burn wood (way cheaper than my propane bill) and I'm reading online that some pre-fab gas fireplaces can burn wood as well.
Does anyone know if I can burn wood in this one, or maybe do a slight modification to do so?? The fireplace is metal, but has these 1 inch lined prefab bricks in it. (see the pic). The exhaust tube is metal and round....
I have more photos in the link included...THANKS!!!!!
My fireplace is brand "Marco" Model#: 792779D and they are out of business :-(
Thanks in advance!!
Senid

Here is a link that might be useful: Fireplace photos

Comments (11)

  • christopherh
    10 years ago

    I'm looking at the thin gage steel behind the logset. That would warp inside of 15 minutes with a wood fire.

    The "firebrick" is just pressed material, not real firebrick.

    No, do not burn wood in that "fireplace". Use the gas unit as an entertainment source, not a heat source. They were never meant to be real heating appliances.

    And go to a reputable stove shop and get a wood burning insert that's licensed to be placed in your firebox.

  • chas045
    10 years ago

    Now hold on guys. Yes, caution is absolutely required here. However, I have a builder grade fireplace that looks very similar to the OP's unit. Mine is designed for either wood or gas. My unit has the same cheesy thin metal like stuff. If you look at the other pics on flicker, you will see that the unit has a full above roof chase and what appears to be a spark cap. I believe my unit has one of those huge 14" flues which is common for these units. This one doesn't seem to be that large, which makes me wonder if it is indeed a wood burner. The top of the front of the unit also has something that looks like sheet metal extending down into the firebox that is different from mine and that makes me think of gas.

    Remember, these are open fireplaces and don't really generate dramatic heat. My cheesy back fake bricks never got damaged in any way. So, two points: the 'fireplace' may indeed be designed for wood and you will need to check further; AND you aren't going to heat much with this thing either.

  • southerncanuck
    10 years ago

    The question is, Can I convert my gas fireplace to a wood burning..........

    The OP states it's gas, not both. The vinyl sided chimney proves it to me. It's gas only in my opinion.

  • chas045
    10 years ago

    SC: Actually the op states that it is gas NOW. I have EXACTLY the same situation visually, with the exception of that shiny metal piece near the roof of the firebox. Actually, the gas line that goes to my fireplace was never hooked up. Many homes in our subdivision are built with either gas or wood like mine. They all have vinyl covered chases. Of course the flue is tripple wall and those chases give plenty of room to fit them in.

    Most gas only units don't have flues that go above the roof top. The op's does and it appears to have a spark arrester as well.

  • christopherh
    10 years ago

    Easy solution:

    Find out what brand and model it is. Then ask the manufacturer.

  • southerncanuck
    10 years ago

    Christopher,

    Exactly.

  • chas045
    10 years ago

    From the original post:
    "My fireplace is brand "Marco" Model#: 792779D and they are out of business :-( "

    I googled around a little and someone said that Lennox bought out Marco. Perhaps that would help.

  • christopherh
    10 years ago

    You can also go over to www.hearth.com and ask the real experts.

  • gasguy
    10 years ago

    What you appear to have is a wood burning fireplace that has a added set of vented gas logs installed. The ring you see at the top of the fire box is your damper handle and will open and close smoke access to the flu. You can remove the logs back to the steel pipe coming into the firebox and reinstall a appropriate log starter kit with a new grate (18 or 21 inch) and you are back to factory. Always a good idea to have the chimney cleaned and inspected before use ( there may be a reason they put the log set in ). Good luck.

  • gasguy
    10 years ago

    Also the model number you posted is the serial number.