Gas logs are maintenance free, come in a variety of styles and are easy to install. In addition, they pose less fire risk and put out twice the heat of wood. You'll need a gas outlet in the firebox, and you must hire a licensed contractor to install it. Then you can install the gas-log kit.
Materials
Pipe wrench
Phillips-head and flat-head screwdrivers
Pliers
One or two adjustable wrenches
Slip-joint pliers
Teflon tape
Gas-log kit
- Turn off the gas at the fireplace valve.
- Cap off the burner pan on the end farthest from the gas outlet. Wrap Teflon tape or paste around the threads, and screw on the cap.
- Connect the safety valve to the other side of the burner pan (closest to the gas outlet) using Teflon tape as before.
- Hold the gas-supply outlet steady with pliers or a wrench, and use another wrench to remove the cap.
- Attach the supply-line elbow to the gas outlet, using Teflon tape on the pipe threads (figure A).
- Attach a flexible supply line from the gas outlet to the safety valve (figure B). Make sure the supply line is rated for use inside a fireplace. If you want to make the supply line less noticeable, apply heat-resistant paint to it.
- Turn on the gas, and spread liberal amounts of soapy water over all the gas-line connections (figure C). If you see active bubbling, turn off the gas, fix the leak, and check for leaks again.
- Attach the pilot assembly and diverter bracket to the burner pan.
- Cover the safety valve with a heat shield.
- Pour sand (supplied with gas logs) evenly over the burner pan (figure D). This will make the flames more consistent and reduce the hiss from the gas. Make sure you don't cover the pilot light.
- Place rock wool and vermiculite (usually supplied with the gas-log kit) over the sand (figure E). These look like burning embers when heated.
- Pour lava rock (usually supplied with the kit) over the entire floor of the fireplace (figure F).
- Place the grate over the burner pan (figure G).
- Stack the ceramic logs on the grate according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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