How To Light a Gas Fireplace

Ready for a cozy evening by the fire, but not sure how to calorie-free your gas fireplace? This projection shows you how.

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Time

Less than 10 minutes

Complexity

Beginner

Cost

$5

Introduction

Roaring forest fires certainly deliver in ambiance. But for some, gathering kindling, wadding up newspapers, advisedly arranging logs and everything else required to get-go a woods burn down aren't worth the trouble, because there'southward an easier option — a gas-powered fireplace.

"Nosotros love gas fireplaces because the aesthetic and warmth are immediate," Keith Richardson, president of Arizona Fireplaces says. "(Gas) lends itself well to today'due south mod lifestyle."

If you're thinking virtually investing in a gas fireplace, or you have one merely aren't sure how to low-cal information technology, this project volition give you more confidence. We accost key valve and airplane pilot ignition systems.

Condom should be pinnacle of mind when lighting natural gas or propane-fueled fireplaces. If you smell gas before lighting your fireplace, contact a plumber or the gas company right away. "The average consumer will non have the proper tools to cheque for a gas leak," Richardson says. "A gas company or certified technician volition."

And if these steps don't match your particular setup, ask for help. "With gas fireplaces, one size does not fit all — when in doubt, contact a professional," Richardson says.

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Tools Required

Project stride-past-step (7)

Step ane

Find the valve and key

  • Await for a valve near the fireplace.
    • Mine is covered by a round plate with a square hole.
  • Discover the fundamental to plow the gas valve.
    • Keys are long metal devices with a square hole on the end, similar to a socket extension.
  • Fit the key into the valve, merely don't turn the gas on yet.

Fireplace Key And Valve Ally Childress for Family unit Handyman

Step 2

Open up the damper

  • Look up into the chimney to see if the damper is open.
    • Y'all'll take to lean way in, so you may need your telephone or a mirror.
    • If it'southward open up, yous'll see the sky. (Do this during the day if it'southward your first time.)
  • If the damper is closed, pull the chain or lever, unremarkably at the top of the firebox.
  • Brand note of the lever's position for next time.

Fireplace Key And Valve Ally Childress for Family unit Handyman

Step iii

Look for the burner

  • Follow the gas pipe coming into the fireplace from the wall valve to the burner.
    • The burner is a piping with holes running under your logs, frequently with a pan underneath.
    • The burner and pan may be covered with sand and fireplace rocks.

Fireplace Open Damper Ally Childress for Family Handyman

Step four

Calorie-free the fireplace (key valve system)

  • Light the lighter or lucifer and hold under the logs nigh the burner.
  • Plow the primal slowly counterclockwise to start the flow of gas.
    • The fire should immediately catch. If information technology doesn't, turn off the gas before trying to troubleshoot.
    • Telephone call a professional if you doubtable a gas line problem.
  • Use the key to control the flame tiptop. Remove key.
  • Shut off past inserting key and turning clockwise until gas valve is closed.
    • Fire volition extinguish when gas flow stops.

Fireplace Light With Lighter Ally Childress for Family Handyman

Footstep 5

Find the controls (airplane pilot ignition arrangement)

  • Locate the gas valve.
    • The valve might be inside the fireplace instead of on the wall.
  • Locate the pilot lite and burner control knobs.
    • These could be under the fireplace logs or to the side.
    • You may need to open a console cover.

Senior man adjusting heat on gas fire at home coldsnowstorm/Getty Images

Step 6

Prepare to low-cal the fireplace (pilot ignition system)

  • Check that the pilot control knob is set to "off."
    • If information technology'due south on, turn information technology to off and permit five to 10 minutes for whatever residuum gas to disperse.
  • Turn on the gas valve to start the flow of gas to your pilot assembly.
  • Plough the control knob to "pilot."
Gun Lighters EmBaSy/Getty Images
Gun Lighters

Step seven

Light the fireplace (airplane pilot ignition system)

  • Push in and hold the airplane pilot control knob.
  • Click the igniter button to light the pilot.
    • This may accept a few clicks if your fireplace hasn't been used in a while.
    • If your fireplace lacks an igniter button, light the airplane pilot manually with a fireplace lighter.
  • After the pilot lights, keep to hold in the pilot button for 20 to 30 seconds.
  • Release the button. If the flame holds, plough the control knob to "on."
  • Control the flame level with the command knob or wall switch.
  • Close off by turning control valve to "off" or turning off at wall switch.
  • Turn off gas at the valve.

Closeup of Logs Burning in a Gas Fireplace ryasick/Getty Images

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