Realistic-looking gas-burning logs are a more efficient replacement for traditional wood logs
The reassuring sound of an intimate fire on a bleak winter’s night, the life-giving warmth that fights off the cold and envelopes you with its delicate touch, the deep, rich smell of burning wood, and the slate fireplace that radiates heat from its once-cold heart. Ahhhhh, the memories.
They aren’t my memories, certainly, and most likely not yours either, in case you were raised in the city. But if this is what you see when you look back, then I am positive you can also recall spending a lot of time cleaning out the stove, sweeping the chimney, chopping and stacking the wood, and inhaling the fumes, smoke and ash. I start hacking just thinking about it.
These negative memories can be forgotten, and only the good ones will be left, if you begin using ceramic gas-burning logs in place of actual wood. Since they are ceramic they will last for a long time while using either natural gas or propane. Vented and vent-free are the two types of logs offered for sale. Learn more about ceramic fiber logs, ventless fireplace gas logs and stone mantels.
Vented gas logs burn in the fireplace just like regular wood logs. The flames embrace the logs and dance along the sides like bouncing sprites. That is, at least, until you get tired of watching them and shut the flames off with a remote. Vented gas logs offer an attractive alternative to wood burning, however this is great only if you have a fireplace in your home, or the spare space to install one.
What about those of us who are more square-footage-challenged? Well, apartment-dwelling city folk can have memories, too, by obtaining vent-free ceramic gas logs. These fireplaces can be portable and they produce a small but pleasing blue flame. The best thing about vent-free logs is they produce more heat than a wood burning appliance of comparable size. This is because the logs are manufactured using a material that causes heat to radiate out after it warms up. The dense, refractory material used to manufacture these logs so they are realistic in appearance and effective in heat output, also lets you to enjoy your fireplace without the cleanup of ashes, wood dust and wood debris. Because they are self-contained (i.e. no vent), all of the heat produced remains in the room. The disadvantages to vent-free logs are the increase in humidity, needing oxygen and carbon monoxide detectors (which occasionally are included with the unit), and the requirement for fresh air (an open window) if the fireplace is on for a long time.
Which type of gas-burning logs you decide on will depend on a trade-off between aesthetics, functionality, and convenience. The vented log will look realistic and set a cozy ambiance, but it will not give off much warmth because most of that goes up the chimney. The vent-free gas-burning logs are easier to place and more “green”, but the flame is less realistic and the fireplaces need more attention to maintain a safe environment.
