Fireplaces: Natural Vs Gas

[Douglas]

The best part of a wood fire is the smell outside the house, coming home, knowing there's a warm fire inside.

I am working on a rehab of an old house now with 4 fireplaces - 3 downstairs (den, living room, entry) and 1 upstairs (master bedroom). I will likely keep the downstairs wood-burning and the upstairs gas. No carrying wood upstairs, though it is tempting to put an enclosed heatolator unit in the bedroom and using that for winter heat. Also tempting to put gas in the entry, as it's not a room where anyone would want to tend a fire - it's really for the effect when company is over.

[HORNS]

Originally Posted by Piobaire

We currently have wood burning. I love the crackle and pop, the scent of juniper, etc. But it's a pain in the ass. You have to tend the fire, add logs, poke it, etc. You have to buy and store the cord wood. You have clean out the ashes and get your chimney done every few years. I much prefer the actual fire of natural, but it has drawbacks.

Gas can be done well. Forget fake logs, go with decorative glass or silica sands. They're no muss, no fuss. Our home plans (which might never get built) calls for a double sided gas fire place in the master suite (faces the soaking tub and the sleeping quarters). It will have a timer and remote control, so perfect for going to sleep with it on just have it turn itself off.

Completely agree with all of this. I think that if you get a wood-burning fireplace, you need to commit to a larger overall space/opening, have it lined with bricks, and don't bother with the sliding glass doors or the little chain-mail curtains - get a removable screen. This way you can easily scoop up the ashes and sweep out the area.

Also, the back-drafts down the chimney during windy weather can make things messy.

But how I love the sound of a wood lighting, crackling, popping, and the sizzle of the last bit of moisture coming out of the end of the log!

[chorse123]

Gas just feels so artificial. "Let's have a fire! Okay, push this button." The essence is gone. It's only a small step up from watching the Yule Log in my opinion.

I'm surprised to see so much support for gas fireplaces on SF.

[M. Bardamu]

Originally Posted by HORNS

Also, the back-drafts down the chimney during windy weather can make things messy.

Our old sheepdog's thick, wooly coat nearly caught ablaze one night...he loved to lounge full-length in front of the roaring log fire, until an ember popped out onto his back...

[feynmix]

Isn't the cost to run a fireplace with gas obscene? What are you gas bills like?

[radicaldog]

Get one of each.

[hankwx]

Originally Posted by feynmix

Isn't the cost to run a fireplace with gas obscene? What are you gas bills like?

u are corre-to...! disgustingly high!