Posts Tagged ‘wood burning fireplace’

The Difference Between Vented and Vent Free Gas Logs

Friday, February 24th, 2012

Vented Gas Logs

Vented Gas Logs by Real Fyre

Vent Free Gas Logs

Vent Free Gas Logs

One of the most frequently asked questions at The Hearth & Grill Shop is, “What is the difference between Vented and Vent Free gas logs?”  The answers to that question are outlined below.

  1. Vented and Vent Free gas logs are as different in operation as night and day.  They are not interchangeable and an old set of Vented logs cannot be turned into Vent Free.  Vented logs operate more closely to a real wood fire, than do Vent Free.   Vented gas logs must be operated with the damper fully open on a wood-burning fireplace, either masonry with a flu and chimney or a prefabricated firebox with vent pipe.
  2. Vented gas logs, such as Real Fyre logs by Peterson, are typically installed for their realistic appearance, providing the flame and coals that most closely resemble a wood fire.  Vented gas logs will produce heat, however, Vented gas logs use more gas than do the vent free and have to be vented with significant portion of the heat going up chimney, therefore they are NOT an efficient heat source.
  3. Vent Free gas logs, such as Empire Comfort Systems, Peterson, and Vantage Hearth, are designed and manufactured to be operated in a wood burning fireplace, in good working order, with the damper closed or in a manufactured Vent Free firebox.  With the damper closed all of the heat being produced by the Vent Free logs stays in the room.
  4. Vent Free logs, also burn less gas than do the Vented gas logs.  Typically, half to two-thirds of gas is used with Vent Free, compared to the Vented logs.  The combination of consuming less gas and being operated in an environment where all the heat stays in the room make the Vent Free logs extremely efficient.
  5. It is important that a set of Vent Free gas logs be set up according to the manufacturers directions.  With the logs arranged properly and the burner combusting all of the gas that comes into the vent free logs are close to 100% efficient.  However, they do not have quite as realistic appearance, compared to the Vented gas logs.
  6. Vent Free gas logs are designed to be a supplemental source of heat and there are codes governing where vent free products can be used and how many BTU’s they can burn within the home.
  7. Vent Free gas logs can be used in an existing Masonry or Prefabricated wood-burning fireplace with the damper closed.  With the damper closed all the heat will travel to the top of the firebox and then out of the front of the fireplace.  There are strict clearances involved with combustible materials above and around the fireplace opening.  If there is a combustible (Wood) mantle or mantle shelf above the opening of the fireplace a deflective Hood may be necessary help alleviate clearance issues when using Vent Free gas logs.

Hopefully, this helped to clear up questions about the difference between Vented and Vent Free gas logs.  Come by The Hearth and Grill Shop to do your own comparison with live burn examples of both Vented and Vent Free gas logs available year round.

Get Grilling in Your Outdoor Kitchen Today

Thursday, September 1st, 2011

Outdoor kitchens have been gaining popularity across the country; at The Hearth and Grill Shop, we take care of every step from conceptualization to completed kitchen. We also supply premium outdoor grill components and built-in grill accessories for projects nationwide and abroad. Whether starting from scratch or remodeling, we provide the best solution while balancing form and function to have a truly enjoyable outdoor space with design and installation services. To ensure durability, ease of use and your satisfaction, we only carry top quality built-in grills and accessories made by the best manufactures; established in 1937 as the first built-in grill manufacturer, Fire Magic continues to build outdoor grills in Southern California that are the highest quality and the hottest grills on the market. Fire Magic uses only 304 commercial-grade stainless steel for its entire construction to make it superior in all weather conditions, even down to its cast stainless steel burners, which are covered by a lifetime warranty.

E790i-4E1N & FMA19-4B1N-0

The Fire Magic Echelon Diamond series has back-lit knobs and built-in halogen lamps for easy grilling at night. The optional Magic View window lets you see what you’re cooking without lifting the hood!

Fire Magic offers a full line of accessories to compliment and be seamlessly integrated into your outdoor kitchen including a variety of side burners, warming drawers and even vent hoods (for an enclosed kitchen), along with any combination of storage and access doors and drawers desired; Fire Magic also offers easy to install, pre-fabricated grill islands that take only minutes to assemble. Other top quality built-in grills that we offer include: American Outdoor Grill [AOG] (manufactured by Fire Magic), Broilmaster, Holland Grill and Weber; all of our outdoor built-in gas grills are available in either natural gas or propane gas (LP) configurations to best suit your needs.

Fire Magic also offers built-in charcoal grills, but our most popular charcoal grill here at the shop is the Big Green Egg.In 1974 Big Green Egg was established in Atlanta, GA and is the single company responsible for the popularization of kamado style cookers that has increased rapidly over the last few years. Don’t be fooled by imitators! Using a Big Green Egg, with its brilliantly versatile range, ensures astounding cooking qualities, credited to its overall design and exclusive heavy-duty ceramic walls (covered by a lifetime warranty).  Stay in and enjoy bread, pizza and much more, made on your very own brick oven! Where do all these components go? We’ve got you covered offering custom island building projects framed in galvanized steel or done entirely in masonry, either being finished to your liking; granite countertops add durability and value to your outdoor space.

True is the leading manufacturer of commercial refrigeration and their new line of home products – True Professional Series includes outdoor rated glass door refrigerators. 

Don’t forget the drinks! We carry commercial-grade, outdoor-rated refrigeration to meet your demands (manufactured by True in America) offered in several different customizable combinations. We also stock icemakers by Hoshizaki capable of making 92lbs of ice a day while only measuring 15″ wide. When planning the design, why not do a raised bar and incorporate a glass rack, kegerator, sink and built-in blender to create the perfect gathering place at any party? All of these products will fit in perfectly with your grill island.

These premium fireplaces can be finished to show no visible metal for a true masonry look at a substantially lower cost!

To take your outdoor kitchen to the next level, add on an outdoor living space! We offer pergolas, arbors and screened patios to extend the open concept living space into your outdoor kitchen. Nothing says home more than a hearth; extend the outdoor season by adding warmth with an outdoor wood-burning or gas-burning fireplace (whether vent-free, direct-vent or vented gas logs). Each category also offers contemporary alternatives for a more modern look and feel. We also do custom built or manufactured wood-burning fire pits and gas-burning fire pits (whether natural gas or propane (LP) gas).

All of our outdoor products are designed to the highest standards and built to exact specifications to withstand the elements; you won’t be disappointed! As authorized dealers for all of our products, your purchase is covered by the full warranty, unlike several other online dealers. Our local clients can always rely on our expert service crew to keep their outdoor appliances in tip-top shape year round.

Let’s get building!