Vent Free Gas Logs

[John]

I want to install vent free gas logs in my fireplace and am looking for some advice. I currently have a Superior BRF 4375 fireplace insert that is vented and I have been burning wood in it for the past 12yrs. I have looked all over the documentation and no where does it say that I cant use vent free logs, it talks about burning wood, but Im thinking thats mostly because vent free werent around 12yrs ago like they are now.

Im looking at logs that are 32,000 btus and the fireplace sales guy (went to a real fireplace shop) said that if my fireplace can handle wood, gas logs are not a problem what so ever. He advised that wood burns hotter than a set of gas logs ever could.

I cant find any information on Superior Fireplace company so Im looking for some advise from those of you in the business. Thanks John

[Bubba]

Here is some real useful advice. Pick any vent-free gas logs you like. Before you purchase them, read the first two pages of the instruction manual. There is enough warnings and cautions to keep anyone from installing them. All kinds of stuff about leaving a window open to allow fresh air in. Yeah, that works real well when it is 0 outside. Why would you want to burn 32,000 btu's of natural gas and dump all of those byproducts in your home?? I dont care how clean they say it burns. It is by products of natural gas and they dont belong inside the home. Bubba

[Larry W]

32,000 btu is less than what a kitchen stove with the oven and 1 burner on uses. Millions of people use them every day without trouble.

[Cindy Hamilton]

Why vent free? We installed a gas insert in our old woodburning fireplace. I can't recall the name of the style, but it's got two flex ducts running up the chimney, one for intake, the other for exhaust. We don't need to open a window, it doesn't exhaust into the house. It's as nearly perfect as can be.

IIRC, my husband and I installed it in a couple of days ourselves. But I don't recommend that for everyone. He's a mechanical prodigy.

Cindy Hamilton

[Bubba]

Larry, Most kitchen stoves are used for 15 min to 30 min if that a day. Most of the time the microwave is used (unless you are counting Thanksgiving). A fireplace runs all day sometimes on the weekend and even into the late evening. I think there is quite a bit of difference in the two. And besides that, even a kitchen stove should be vented. Bubba