How to turn on a gas fireplace

How to turn on a gas fireplace. If you have never spent time with a gas fireplace or if you’ve never set up a gas fireplace before, it can be an intimidating experience when you’re all alone in your own home and try to get it set up.

Although the installation process is not complicated at all, there are some basic things we want to help you better understand as far as getting your gas fireplace started once and for all so that you can enjoy its warmth and crackling fire whenever you turn it on even when no one is around.

Once the system has been installed correctly and registered, the ignition process will become easier with each passing year and each passing winter season.

How to turn on a gas fireplace

how to turn on a gas fireplace

Place the knob in the “Pilot” position. Manually send gas into the system by pressing the pilot knob. Once the igniter is lit, press the button every second.
Depending on how long it’s been since the gas fireplace was last used, multiple attempts may be necessary to ignite it.

Review the user manual

Every fireplace is different, so check your model’s user manual before lighting or adjusting it.

While the ignition method will most likely be similar, knowing exactly what type of fireplace you have (gas, wood pellet-fueled, etc.) might help ensure that you know precisely how to operate the chimney safely and avoid any potentially dangerous conditions along the way.

Remove the fireplace’s outer cover

Gas fireplaces often come with a front cover that must be removed to light the pilot. These covers are historically made of glass, so you might want to place yours in a safe location while carrying it around.

In most cases, users are able to detach gas fireplace covers by pulling them off the device, but on occasion, they fasten with screws or security locks which you’ll need to engage before removing them.

Turn the gas valve knob with a fireplace key

turn the gas valve knob with a fireplace key

To ignite your device’s pilot light, look for a key slot located on the gas valve to either the left or right side of the fireplace.

Insert the key and then do not rotate it until you’ve placed a lighter in position.

Do not turn the key if no slot is present, because this may allow a flammable amount of gas into your room that could prove dangerous.

Light the burner with a long lighter

Before turning on a fireplace, make sure to grab yourself a fire-starting tool. A lighter is the best option because you’ll have full motion and range of motion with both hands.

Although keep in mind that it will be easier to stabilize the lighter if your hand is far from the wall or surrounding flame/flame spreader tool.

You may also opt for using a long matchstick instead, either way, make sure that you have something light whatever your preference may be for you to hold with ease while keeping your motions free and unconstrained.

So as the flames ignite effectively and provide continuous longevity. For one more added precaution, make sure you are wearing heat-resistant gloves before playing with fire.

Press the gas key

Rotate the gas valve about half a turn while the light is on. As soon as the pilot light glows, ignite any stray gas particles, so that you can move back if any resulting flare-ups occur that may cause the immediate surrounding area to be affected.

If you smell a small amount of gas, remove the lighter and open your windows and doors to air out the room.

If you smell a lot of gas, remove the lighter immediately and exit your house. Then, contact your natural gas provider or 911/your local fire department.

Replacement of the fireplace’s outer cover

To be safe, this pre-filter should be replaced periodically to keep the fireplace working safely.

For best results, annual maintenance should include filter inspection and replacement, cleaning of the burner assembly, and a professional inspection by an authorized technician to make sure your heating system is in good condition.

Turning on a gas fireplace

Have problems lighted the fireplace? Well, before you start, make sure that you are using a good quality fireplace lighter fluid and that you have changed the batteries in your spark igniter.

Then, ensure that the gas valve is switched on to allow gas to flow into the flame area of your hand-held or remote control igniter.

Once this step has been completed press down firmly on the ignition button and wait patiently for the system to prime itself so it can safely ignite the pilot light under your ceramic logs.

A few minutes after the lighting

Once the pilot is on and working, you should be able to turn on your fireplace by flipping a switch or turning on your remote. This feature varies based on what type of gas fireplace you have.

In many installations, the pilot can last the entire season without needing to be lit again. Never leave that pilot burning unattended because doing so presents a fire hazard and could damage the property it’s attached to.

Always remember to read your manual before attempting any fixes or changes aside from simply replacing/adding logs into your existing setup.

How to turn on a gas fireplace

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