Your gas fireplace adds so much to your home. Beyond the fact that it provides you with warmth, it also adds to the overall ambiance of the room. The fact that today’s gas fireplaces burn cleanly is another undeniable advantage that they offer. They are also good for your budget and easy to operate/maintain. 

One of the top features of your gas fireplace is its logs. They add an authentic look to your fireplace. Given this fact, there is a common question that gas fireplace owners often have. They want to know how to arrange fireplace logs. Continue reading on to find out the answer to this question as well as some other key points that you need to know about your gas fireplace’s logs.

How Do I Know If My Gas Fireplace Logs Need to Be Replaced?

The glow of your gas fireplace logs provides you with a cozy warmth that is hard to beat on those cold winter nights. These logs offer benefits that include eliminating the need to chop wood and find a place to store it. They also eliminate the issue of soot and ash that has to be cleaned up. With this said, one of the most common questions that homeowners have is how to tell when their gas fireplace logs need to be replaced. 

It is important to note the fact that gas fireplace logs are made from flame-resistant ceramic. Another common material that they are made from is a refractory cement mixture. In terms of how long your logs will last, it will depend on how well they were made. Ceramic fiber logs are considered the best and are capable of standing up to high levels of heat. Gas fireplace logs made from cement have the benefit of looking more realistic than their ceramic counterparts but they are not considered to be as durable.

Some of the tell-tale signs that it is time to replace your gas fireplace logs include:

• You notice a change in the appearance of your gas fireplace logs (They start to look faded)                
• You purchase a property with an existing gas fireplace and are unsure when the logs were previously replaced           
• You have had your gas fireplace for years but just recently increased how much you use it      

How Old Can Gas Fireplace Logs Be?

As a general rule of thumb, a vented set of gas fireplace logs that are maintained on a regular basis can be expected to last for up to 10 years. A vent-free set of logs with the same amount of maintenance attention will begin to show signs of wear and fading within three to five years if you use your gas fireplace regularly (three times a week during the fall and winter).

I Changed My Fireplace Logs, Now Its Making a Smell. Should I Be Concerned?

If you have recently changed your gas fireplace logs, you might be concerned about the presence of a smell that is now coming from them. The reality is that new gas fireplace logs often give off a strong odor during their breaking-in period. This odor should typically go away anywhere from three to four hours after you begin to use them. It is important to note that this odor is not a major cause for concern and is a normal phenomenon. 

There are some other factors that can cause an unpleasant odor to come from your gas fireplace logs. These include:

• Wet paint        
• Pet hair                                         
• Scented candles              
• New furniture off-gassing            
• Smoke from cigarettes/cigars           
• Chemical cleaning products

It is easy to become desensitized to these types of smells if you experience them on a normal basis but they can intensify in the presence of an operating gas fireplace. It is important to keep this in mind if you notice an odor when you turn your gas fireplace on.

Step By Step: How to Arrange Fireplace Logs

As noted, gas fireplaces are an incredible way to warm up your home during the fall and winter. The fact that they burn clean and do not leave ashes and soot behind is a huge benefit to choosing gas fireplaces. They are also budget-friendly which only adds to the appeal. Gas fireplace logs have continued to grow in popularity in recent years due to the many benefits that they offer. They add a level of authenticity to your fireplace’s aesthetic and can last for a long time when properly maintained. 

With these points made, it is now time to take a detailed look at how to arrange fireplace logs. Going step-by-step, the process is as follows:

• The largest ceramic logs should be placed on the bottom. These logs take up the role of the foundation for your fire. The size of the logs and the design of your gas fireplace will dictate the direction that you lay them out.
• You want to leave two inches (five cm) between each gas fireplace log.
• It is important to ensure that none of your fireplace logs are blocking the flow of gas. If you notice that the gas flow is being blocked, you will need to re-arrange your logs.
• Smaller logs should be arranged on top of the larger (foundation) logs. It is not necessary to arrange them in a neat order. Many fireplace owners prefer their logs to look natural and random.
• Turn on your gas and light your fire by using an automatic lighter or matches.     
• Now it is time to sit back, relax, and enjoy your warm, cozy fire.

If you have any further questions about maintaining your gas fireplace or arranging your ceramic logs, you can contact our team here at Fireplace Concepts. We are the fireplace experts that property owners here in Lexington, Kentucky rely on for all of their installation, maintenance, and repair needs. Reach out to our friendly and knowledgeable team of professionals today to find out more about how we can be of assistance. You can give us a call or message us through our website and we will get back to you quickly.