Basic Questions

How do I clean my glass? It is very important to clean your glass after the initial 3 hours of burn time. Failure to do so can cause permanent etching of your glass.

1. Make sure your glass is completely cooled. It is also recommended to turn the gas off when servicing your appliance.
2. Remove the front face or louvers of your fireplace; carefully remove the glass assembly of your fireplace (following the instructions in your manual) and lay it on a soft surface.
3. Wipe both sides with household glass cleaner (do not use a product with ammonia), using a soft cloth.
4. For heavy deposits, use Stove Bright Glass Cleaner, Rutland White Off Glass Cleaner, or other hard water deposit glass cleaner recommended by your servicing dealer.
5. Carefully replace glass on front of fireplace (following the instructions in your manual), making sure glass assembly and front are secured.
6. After this initial cleaning, clean your glass as often as necessary, particularly if adding new ember material. Never use any abrasive cleaners or cloths to clean your glass. Scratching can cause the glass to shatter.

How much gas does the pilot light use? A pilot light will burn 800 to 1500 BTUs/hr. Your monthly gas bill should include your exact cost per "therm" (100,000 BTUs). Based on this rate you can calculate the cost for your area to operate a pilot light.

What does the term zero clearance mean? Zero clearance has two meanings. The first is whether or not the fireplace can be placed on a floor without footings. The second meaning of zero clearance is if you are able to finish up to the face of the fireplace, so that no metal shows after installation is complete.

Gas Log Questions

How do I size logs for my fireplace? Proper sizing is determined by the size of the fireplace base and the overall size of the Gas Log and Hearth Kit, which requires measuring the front width, back width, depth and height of the fireplace. Getting logs or controls too tight to the sides can cause damage to the fireplaces and gas logs controls.

With gas logs, do I need the damper open all the time? A damper clamp will come standard with your gas log set and MUST be installed to maintain a small opening at all times. This allows for the escape of any pilot exhaust. When the logs are in use the damper must be fully open.

How do I clean my gas logs? Never, ever wash your logs. Remove the logs carefully from the fireplace in a box, take them outside and use a soft brush or vacuum to clean them. Make sure you replace the logs exactly as they were originally placed.

How to get your Firplace Ready for Winter:

You want to make sure that your fireplace is ready to use safely. You can follow these tips to get your fireplace ready for use:

1. Sweep the Chimney:
   You should hire a chimney sweep before you start using your fireplace at the beginning of winter. The National Fire Protection Association suggests that you have your chimney swept once a year to remove dangerous soot and debris.
2. Note Any Abnormalities:
   While your professional chimney sweeper is over, make sure to let him or her know about any odd things you have noticed from your chimney. This could be an odd smell, a new draft or anything of the sort.
3. Check for Damages:
   You need to check the chimney structure and lining for cracks, loose bricks, deterioration or missing mortar. You also want to take this time to make sure that your chimney is properly and securely attached to your house. Also, check for water damage, which can be harmful to the entire house.
4. Inspect Gasket Material:
   Make sure to take care of the gasket sealing the door, the glass door itself, and the ash dump. It is important to inspect these pieces and replace them as necessary. If these aren’t working properly, your fire can get too much oxygen, which can create an over-fire condition.
5. Clean the Blower:
   If your fireplace has a blower, make sure it is thoroughly cleaned. Most fireplace blowers don’t have a filter, so you have to clean it to prevent buildup.
6. Inspect the Damper:
   The damper is a valve or plate that regulates air flow inside of your chimney. You want to make sure that it is working properly before you start using the fireplace.
7. Cap the Chimney:
   Your chimney should be properly capped in order to keep birds, rain, squirrels, leaves and other debris from entering. Make sure you replace or repair a damaged or missing cap.
8. Check the Alarms:
   It is very important that you make sure you replace the batteries of any smoke or carbon monoxide detectors. Be sure to test your alarms to make sure they are working properly.

There may be a few other things you have to do, but these steps will help get you on the right track to a safe fireplace. Make sure you hire a professional to inspect your chimney because they will know exactly what to look for, and they will be able to keep your family and home as safe as possible. Be sure to ask these professionals about what warning signs to look for and for proper maintenance and usage tips.