Vented Gas Logs

Vented gas logs burn with an orange flame which is a result of incomplete combustion. The idea is to produce a flame that more closely resembles that of a wood-burning fire. As a result, carbon is released in the form of soot and carbon monoxide which requires venting outside through the flue.

• Vented gas logs must be installed inside a wood-burning fireplace with a proper draft.
• The damper on your fireplace must be fixed in a minimal open position at the time that vented gas logs are installed.
• Vented gas logs produce the natural look and feel of a wood burning fire.
• Most vented gas logs are designed for use with natural gas, although some may be used with liquid propane.
• The amount of heat radiated from vented gas logs is similar to that of a wood burning fire.
• Vented logs do require a small amount of cleaning. The flame will produce soot on the logs, which can be removed by using a soft bristle paint brush or by burning the soot off the logs with the use of Log Bright (gas log soot remover).
• In most cases, the logs may be rearranged or customized to suit your taste.  Consult the owners manul or contact us if you are not sure.
• For vented gas logs, we recommend the use of natural gas as opposed to propane, as natural gas burns cleaner, and burning propane will produce large amounts of soot.

Ventless Gas Logs

Vent-free (ventless, non-vented, unvented) use a burner system that correctly mixes the fuel and combustion air resulting in complete combustion. This type of combustion recombines the carbon into safe byproducts so that the emissions do not need to be vented outside through your flue.

• Vent-free gas logs may be used in a wood-burning fireplace or an approved vent-free fireplace.
• The damper may be closed on a masonry fireplace. The damper on a prefabricated wood-burning fireplace must be cracked open to prevent overheating.
• Vent-free gas logs typically do not appear to be as natural in appearance as vented logs.
• Vent-free gas logs are more energy efficient than vented logs.
• Vent-free gas logs produce a large amount of heat and can be used as a secondary heat source.
• Vent-free gas logs can produce up to 40,000 BTU’s of usable heat.
• Cleaning and annual maintenance is recommended. Dust build-up can cause the pilot assembly to work improperly.
• Extra logs or embers may NOT be added to vent-free gas logs. Altering the appearance of non-vented gas logs from the manufacturer’s instructions could result in improper combustion of gas and produce dangerous carbon monoxide.
  

When burning vent-free gas logs in a masonry fireplace, it is safe to close your damper completely. However, if you have a prefabricated wood burning fireplace, your damper needs to be cracked open with a damper clamp, so that your fireplace does not overheat.

Vent-free gas logs are designed to burn cleanly without emmitting high levels of dangerous emissions.  All vent-free gas logs are tested with the highest industry standards and are approved to used when in compliance with the manufacturer’s instructions and local building codes.

Vent-free gas logs are also equipped with an oxygen depletion sensor (ODS) which will cause the gas valve to close off in case of a lack of combustion air.

Extra logs or embers may NOT be added to non-vented gas logs. Altering vent-free gas logs from the manufacturer’s instructions could result in improper combustion of gas and produce dangerous carbon emissions.

Extra logs or embers may be added to vented gas log sets within reason.  Please contact us for advice before doing this.

Please note that if your vent-free set produces soot, it is not burning correctly and needs to be serviced immediately.

Three measurements are required to determine the appropriate size gas logs for your fireplace: Front width(side to side at the widest point), back width (side to side at the narrow point), and depth (front to back).

The most common sizes for gas logs are 18-inches, 24-inches, 30-inches, and 36-inches. The sizes are based on the length of the front log in each set, and the back log is generally a bit shorter than the front log.

Most people allow for several inches on each side of the front log to properly fill their fireplaces. Most gas log sets require a minimum of 16-inches of depth.

For instructions on how to light a pilot for a gas log system, please see your owner’s manual for your specific gas log system, or download these general instructions.

Vented Gas Logs

Under normal conditions, you should not have an odor associated with burning your vented gas logs, except perhaps during a cold start-up. When first lighting vented gas logs, some gas and emissions may spill out of the fireplace until a good draft sets in. With a good draft, all emissions in the fireplace will be pulled up the flue.  Having a  carbon monoxide detector in the room is a good idea to be on the safe side.

Vent-Free Gas Logs

Most people will detect a faint odor while using the vent-free gas logs.  Although properly installed vent-free gas logs can provide years of efficient heat, trouble-free use, and little to no odor, we recommend that you always use a carbon monoxide detector in the room for safety and peace of mind. Furthermore, if you observe soot on vent-free gas logs, they are not operating properly. Do not use them until they have been serviced.

Some of the things that cause odors with vent-free gas logs are: improperly positioned logs, improper gas pressure, dust, pet hair, candles burning, ceiling fans, and any airborne particles being burned (such as paints, stains, cleaners, deodorizers, etc.). Please refer to your owner’s manual or contact your dealer for details.

Vent-free gas logs will always have a bad odor when new.  They must go through a curing process which may take several heating and cool-down cycles.

Note: If you smell gas, you could have a leaky gas valve near the fireplace. Turn it off immediately and call someone who can assess the problem and repair it.

See your owner’s manual or contact Madison Fireplace and patio for specific instructions on how to clean your vent-free gas logs. Click the following link for instructions on how to clean the pilot assembly of your vent-free gas logs:   download these general instructions.

If you have a black powery residue on your gas logs, you are probably seeing soot which is a biproduct of gas combustion.  This is normal on vented gas logs and simply needs to be cleaned with a gas log soot remover.  If you see soot on vent free gas logs, do not operate them until they have been serviced by a qualified technician.  Please refer to your owner’s manual for specific instructions. 

If your pilot will not light or goes out after the log set has been running for a while, then your gas logs likely need to be cleaned or serviced. Please refer to your owner’s manual for specific instructions in cleaning your gas logs or download our general instructions for cleaning. 

Always consult your Installation and Operating Manual that came with your remote prior trying to find a solution on your own. Your Installation and Operating manual has a troubleshooting section. However, possible solutions may follow:

The LED light blinks on the receiver and/or the battery icon is lit on the LCD transmitter:

• Check all batteries, and replace as necessary.
• If you see battery corrosion, clean out and change batteries.
• If the battery corrosion is serious, the remote may be permenantly damaged.

Appliance does not come on after pressing the transmitter’s “ON” button:

• If appliance does not come on, check wiring connections.
• Be sure that the transmitter and receiver have the same DIP switch settings.
• Be sure the operating distance is less than 30 feet.
• Make sure the receiver is set to the remote setting (RS), not “off” or “on”.
• Make sure the pilot is lit and the gas log valve is turned to the “on” position, not “pilot” or “off”.

Receiver can not receive signal from the remote:

• Be sure the receiver is not located inside an enclosure.

There may be batteries in the receiver as well as the transmitter. Check the batteries in both!

A small crack in the fire ring or the fire box of your Big Green Egg® will not cause any problems. However, if larger pieces begin to fall off, or if these pieces are broken, we can order a replacement part under warranty when you provide the serial number that is stamped on the part.

When gas burners fail to burn correctly, it is generally due to the build up of food debris within the burner holes.

If the interior of the grill is not cleaned regularly, corrosion can occur over time, due to the salts and acids in food, and the life of your grill can be shortened considerably.

To clean the burners in your gas grill, you can use a small pointed object, such as a dental pick, or the tip of a knife to unclog the holes in the burners.

Maintain Appropriate Water Levels

The water should always be high enough so as to fully submerge the pump at all times. The pump will likely become ruined should the water drop too low and the pump overheats.
The water level can affect the pressure of the water being pumped. The more water you have in your fountain, the stronger your pump will operate.
Decreased water pressure and a loud “sucking sound” coming from the pump indicates that your water level is too low. Remember that sunlight and wind can decrease your water level quickly in your fountain and should be routinely monitored.

Operate With Clean Water

Clean water is necessary to keep your fountain functioning properly. Water fountains subjected to direct sunlight will develop algae more quickly than those placed indoors or in shade.
Remember that algae and other foreign objects such as leaves, pine straw, or lawn clippings can clog the pump and prevent it from functioning.
Algae may be removed by the use of fountain cleaning products which break down algae with enzymes. Larger items will need to be removed by hand.

Clean Your Pump

A pump operating in a dirty fountain may become clogged. Most pumps come with an access panel to facilitate cleaning. It may be beneificial to clean out the contents of this area if the pump is not working correctly.
Keep the slotted intake area on the pump free from algae and debris.

Splashing

No matter what you do, some amount of splashing is inevitable; however there are things which can be done to minimize splashing.
Splashing can be caused by too much pressure from the pump. Dialing down the speed on the pump is generally all that needs to be done.
If adjusting the pump does not reduce the splashing, you can clamp the hose coming from the pump to lower the pump’s speed.
Placing mesh screen in the bowls, just above the water, can reduce splashing drastically.
Carefully arranged silk plants inside fountain bowls can decrease splashing, as well as add a decorative element to your fountain.