FAQs

Gas fireplaces are quite low-maintenance. But there are a few things you should do annually to ensure your fireplace – the heart of your home – is prepared to operate its best all season long. This requires just a few steps, and you can download our simple, step-by-step gas fireplace maintenance checklist here.

Performing annual maintenance on your gas fireplace won’t take long, but if you’re pressed for time, we will be happy to do it for you. When it’s done, you will feel great knowing your fireplace is in tip-top shape, and we are pretty sure your fireplace will love you back – all season long.

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.

Gas fireplaces are known for low maintenance requirements and general self-sufficiency but you may have to re-light your system's pilot light from time to time. The procedure for resetting the pilot light on a gas fireplace is generally the same regardless of the model. However, if you feel uncomfortable with this undertaking, please consult a Fireplace Professional technician. If you smell of gasoline call a service technician immediately.

To start, ensure that your fuel tank is empty before using the pilot light. Simply check the gauge on your propane tank to see if your fuel levels are sufficient. Now return to your gas fireplace and turn the gas valve ON. This can be done by flipping a wall-mounted switch, if one has been installed for your gas fireplace, or by manually turning the valve on inside the access panel of your fireplace.

Now turn the fireplace control knob on the access panel so that its marking aligns with the PILOT setting. Find the red igniter button on the access panel and click it in while continuing to press down on the PILOT knob. This will hold the gas line open while you attempt to relight the fireplace's pilot light. Once lit, continue to push the PILOT knob in for thirty seconds. Then release your thumb on the PILOT knob to see if the burners will remain lit. If so, just turn the knob to the ON setting and your gas fireplace will be operating normally.

If the burners go out once you release the PILOT knob, wait three to four minutes and try again. Use the same process as described above to get the pilot light going again. The thermopile should eventually be running hot enough to keep your gas line flowing freely. Once the burners operate without your pressure on the PILOT knob, just turn the knob to the ON position.

When enjoying your fireplace, stove or insert, it’s important to remember these basic safety precautions:

Fireplaces, stoves and inserts, become hot during operation whether they burn gas, pellets or wood. Keep clothing, furniture, draperies and other flammable materials a safe distance away.

Fireplace glass and other surfaces get extremely HOT and can cause burns if touched. Factory-provided protective safety screens, or aftermarket free-standing screens or barriers help to reduce the risk of serious burns, as they can prevent skin from coming into direct contact with the glass or fire. However, screens also retain heat so touching them is not advised.

Keep children away from fireplaces, stoves and inserts. All parts of these appliances get extremely hot and should be treated with caution. Supervise children and pets to ensure they stay a safe distance away.

Fireplaces, stoves and inserts (and their surrounding material) will remain hot for a period of time after being turned off, so caution should be used at all times.

If you have a standing pilot gas fireplace or stove, it doesn’t require electricity to activate the pilot flame and will light during a power outage.

In recent years, many gas fireplaces and inserts have been outfitted with an energy-saving intermittent pilot ignition system called IntelliFire or IntelliFire Plus ignition which requires electricity to spark the pilot flame each time the fireplace is used. These systems have battery backup systems that can be used to light the pilot during a power outage. Generally, IntelliFire systems require two D cell batteries, and IntelliFire Plus systems require four AA batteries. If you have a wireless remote control, or a wall switch with a display, find the control box in the lower controls of the fireplace or behind the stove. There will be a switch that slides between ‘ON’, ‘OFF’ and ‘REMOTE’ – slide this to ‘ON’ for the appliance to operate with the power off. If you have questions, consult your owner’s manual or local hearth dealer.

Batteries should be used as a power source only in the event of a power outage, as battery longevity can be affected by the temperatures of the appliance. So, when your power is restored, remove the batteries and keep them handy for the next time you may need them.

Remember that fireplaces and stoves make fire heat, so be sure no flammable objects are near them, and please keep children a safe distance away.

If your hearth appliance has been exposed to water in any level, contact your local dealer.

Fireplaces, stoves and inserts (and their surrounding material) will remain hot for a period of time after being turned off, so caution should be used at all times.