Can You Burn Wood In A Gas Fireplace?

Fireplaces are just as much about comfort and warmth as they are the centerpiece of a room. Both gas and wood fireplaces have unique benefits, and many homeowners wonder if they are interchangeable. So, can you burn wood in a gas fireplace?

You cannot burn wood in a gas fireplace and it is a major fire hazard. Gas fireplaces continually run on natural gas or propane, and burning wood will cause it to ignite. The fire will be difficult to contain and the smoke will fill your home because gas fireplaces don’t typically have a flue or chimney.

It is safe to burn wood in a gas starter fireplace, however, because they only use gas to start the fire. You can convert a gas fireplace to a wood-burning one if you cap the gas line and install a chimney and flue. Follow along as we explore why it is unsafe to burn wood in a gas fireplace.

You will increase the risk of a fire if you burn wood in a gas fireplace. Wood and gas are unique types of fuel that burn differently and you shouldn’t mix them. Thick smoke will likely fill the space which is bad for your respiratory health and your home.

Smoke can damage the walls, carpets, and furniture in your home. You will need to remove most of it in some cases. However, the biggest risk is that you’ll start a fire if you burn wood in a gas fireplace. Gas fireplaces burn hot and the addition of wood will only increase the heat and strength of the fire.

That may sound tempting, but the fire can get out of control quickly and it is never a good idea. You will damage your fireplace at the very least, if not the surrounding room. It is difficult to contain a fire once it spills out from a fireplace, and that is why you should never burn wood in a gas fireplace.

You can only burn wood in a fireplace with gas if it is a gas starter fireplace. Gas starter fireplaces are unique from gas fireplaces which are unsafe for burning wood. It is safe to burn wood in most gas starter fireplaces because they only use gas to start the fire.

The danger of burning wood in a gas fireplace is that you use two fuel sources at once. Two fuel sources can combine to create a fire that you cannot control. Flames from burning wood will ignite the natural gas or propane and cause the fire to spread.

Hire a professional or get in touch with the contractor who installed your fireplace if you are unsure. It isn’t worth the risk, and it’s important to understand so that you know how to use your fireplace.

All that you burn in a gas fireplace is the fuel source which is gas. Gas fireplaces generally feature a fake log that doesn’t catch on fire, but it may appear to. Manufacturers often include fake wood simply because it looks great and makes it seem like a natural fire.

The fuel source is the only aspect that burns, and you can use either natural gas or propane. Either fuel is effective, but some homeowners prefer propane because it burns hotter than natural gas. Propane burns three times hotter than natural gas, but that may be too much for some homeowners.

Burn natural gas if your fireplace has an elaborate surround design or glass because it is less likely to cause damage. Natural gas is also cheaper than propane, and the lower temperature can preserve your fireplace better. Make sure that you only burn natural gas or propane in a gas fireplace and avoid wood or wood chips.

Gas fireplaces and gas starters both utilize natural gas or propane to start a fire. However, gas fireplaces don’t use any other type of fuel source and they rely on a consistent stream of gas. The fire in a gas fireplace will go out when you turn off the fuel source because there is nothing else to burn.

Gas fireplaces are dangerous because they use gas for the duration of the fire to keep it burning. The key difference is that a gas starter fireplace doesn’t rely on gas as a fuel source. Gas starters use the wood as a fuel source and the fire will only continue to burn if the wood is viable.

The liquid fuel in a gas fireplace only serves to start the fire so that the wood or pellets will catch on fire. You turn off the natural gas or propane in this case so that you can let the wood burn naturally.

You cannot safely convert a gas fireplace to a wood-burning fireplace unless you replace it. It is possible to use the same surround and glass, but you will need to rework it so that the smoke can escape. Gas fireplaces don’t typically have a traditional chimney or flue.

It is unsafe to burn wood in a gas fireplace even if you turn off the gas line. You must install a chimney and flue so that the smoke from the wood won’t fill your home. Contact your local building department to find out if your municipality has specific rules.

They will likely require that you cap off the gas line or remove it entirely, and that is a job for professionals. All that you need to do after you install a chimney and cap off the line is install a gas starter bar if you so choose. Many municipalities also require that you obtain a permit to convert a gas fireplace back to wood-burning.

It is unsafe to burn wood in a gas fireplace and it could start a fire. The natural gas or propane will ignite and spread fire throughout the fireplace and your home. You can safely burn wood in a gas starter fireplace however because gas doesn’t continually burn.

Smoke damage and inhalation are other major risks of burning wood in a gas fireplace. Gas fireplaces don’t usually have a traditional chimney, so the smoke from the wood won’t have anywhere to go. A homeowner can convert their gas fireplace to wood-burning by capping off the gas line.

You also need to install a chimney and flue so that the smoke will escape your home. Contact your local building department to obtain a permit and find out the proper protocol. Never burn wood in a gas fireplace, but you can safely burn wood in a gas starter fireplace.