"I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior." - Hippolyte Taine more
See full version: Handyman WIRE Forums General Discussion Handyman Converting Wood Stove to Gas
"I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior." - Hippolyte Taine more
We have a direct vent gas fireplace. It brings in outside air for combustion and sends the exhaust gasses outside. If you have gas, they are the way to go. The firebox is sealed from the room air and a heat exchanger blower circulates the warm air from around the firebox into the room. We can heat the downstairs (1000 square feet) with just the gas fireplace.
Dont do this. It'll rot the firebox, and likely the chimney, too. Additionally it'll be a huge mess and a waste of fuel. Wood stoves are not designed to burn a less hot, moist fuel. [links]
Vent free gas insert. Close off the the chimney. here
Stoves from that era usually do not have appliance regulators as OEM equipment. The gas inlet tube
Since natural gas orifices have larger drill size holes then those for propane, replacing all the orifices will be needed. Reducing the drill size holes of existing orifices is possible but rather time consuming and may be difficult for the do-it-yourself person.
Try locating the conversion parts at the local appliance parts retail stores. Inquire about conversion parts and the need for a propane appliance regulator from the propane dealers and suppliers.
Basically, on any appliance conversion, all the burner orifices will need to be replaced. For stoves with appliance regulators, the regulator will need to be replaced or converted. [links]
Gas log sets come in vented and non-vented styles. With vented logs, it’s important to ensure that your chimney is working properly and free of damage before firing up your new fireplace. [links]
Before doing any reconfiguring of your fireplace, it’s a smart idea to have the entire system inspected by a professional. This will uncover any damage you don’t know about and let you get it fixed before making the change.
To operate a gas fireplace, you’ll obviously need a gas source. If your home is already equipped for natural gas, an HVAC service tech or plumber can run the correct size line to your fireplace. If your home doesn’t have gas service, your next option is to purchase liquid propane, which will be housed in a storage tank adjacent to your house. With this setup, all you have to do is watch the tank levels and have it refilled when needed. more
Be prepared to spend between $300 on the low end and up to $1,000 for high-end log sets, regardless which style you buy. It may seem like a lot of money, but gas log sets last a long time and end up paying for themselves and more over time, compared to the cost of load after load of fire wood.
Can I convert my gas fireplace to wood burning? Many homeowners ask themselves this question when they find themselves seeking more enjoyment from their fireplace than they’re currently getting. That’s understandable.
Many homeowners choose to cap off the line or to convert to a gas log lighter. A gas to wood burning firebox conversion allows the use of the fireplace damper (not available for gas fireplaces). Finally, removing the old gas log kit and then selection of a grate suitable for cradling the burning wood will be needed, as the gas log grate in the fireplace will be too fragile for the higher temperatures found in a new wood-burning fireplace. [links]
The chimney cap, used for protection from rain and animals also needs to be evaluated. Chimney caps with spark arresters are suggested to minimize the occasional ember escaping to the roof. here