An idle propane gas fireplace is the devil’s playground. Any time a gas fireplace is
infrequently used there is usually a corrosion process that takes place that prevents the
thermocouple from producing the needed millivolts to activate the gas valve to come on.
Whether your home or cabin is supplied with propane or natural gas, if you have a gas
fireplace it likes to be used. In fact, it behaves better when the pilot is kept on which helps to
reduce the corrosion process affecting the thermopile.
Simply put gas fireplaces like to be used and save you money in the long run. If your gas
fireplace is located where it can also warm other rooms that are being used like your dining
area, kitchen or family room the zone heating will keep the home heating system from
running so much. This allows some of the bedrooms to be cooler which is great for sleeping
and saving you money.
Propane Gas Fireplace | Burners
So what if you are having challenges with your propane gas fireplace such as the burner not
igniting completely or smoothly.
First of all, propane will not go bad unless through some failure of the storage tank or controls which could cause contamination, but that is very unlikely.
The gauge that is reading over half full is probably accurate enough to indicate you have enough propane although topping off the tank would take
that variable out of the equation.
The most vulnerable culprit is the pilot assembly which when it becomes corroded or weak
will either not allow the gas valve to turn on or do is sporadically. If the issue is with the
burner not fully having ignition, then there could be a few issues.
The first is the media that is covering the burner may be blocking or impeding some of the burner ports. A good
cleaning of the burner from debris that may have fallen into the inside of the burner from the media
may clear any partial blockage. Then careful placement of the media that covers the burner
will help the pilot light flame to carry the flame across the burner for a full consistent ignition.
Regulators Need Regulating
To address any concern of your regulator on the outside of your house or cabin which
regulates the pressure into your residence, it is unlikely that it has failed. If it did fail then
most likely, it would allow your inside gas piping to be over pressurized which would keep
your gas fireplace from running or it would cause it to have dangerously large flames
bouncing off the inside top of your unit. The same thing would be happening to any other gas
appliances in your home.
Typically, the only parts that wear out on your gas fireplace are the gas valve assembly
including the pilot assembly and your burner. Keep in mind regular maintenance like The Gas
Connection offers to all its customers will reduce costly repairs and keep your gas fireplace
running safely and efficiently.
Hopefully, this was helpful.
Your Gas Connection partners.