Fireplace Guides and Articles

We recommend using the NFI website here: www.nficertified.org.

This article, Insert Buyers Guide, has the information on how to measure your fireplace for an insert.

The required chimney components will be outlined in the installation manual for your specific appliance.

Depending on your unit, there are a few places the manufacturer information may be located. The first location would be a metal plate that is on the left or right side of the smoke shelf bracket, right at the top of the fireplace front opening. The next place would be just on the inside of the opening, behind the fireplace screens on the left or right side. The last location would be in the void space underneath the fireplace floor. This can be accessed either through the front of the unit's louvers or through a removable floor panel underneath the bottom refractory.

We carry the HomeSaver Chimney and Fireplace Deodorant.

If the mantel itself is completely noncombustible, the mantel clearances would not apply and the mantel may be placed closer to the top of the fireplace opening.

Burnished black will be a black color with hints of brown in the color to appear that the paint has been "burnished" or "rubbed".

There will be a data plate on your appliance that will list the necessary information.  For details on locating this data plate please reference our article on How To Find Your Serial Number.   

This clearance will depend on the particular model; your installation manual will list these clearances.

We do have a video explaining how to clean a gas fireplace or stove, which shows an example of glass removal.  The actual method of how to remove your glass will depend on your model and should be shown in your installation instructions.

The fireplace should actually be left off as there is no reason to add extra wear and tear or waste fuel. The most common reason for the pilot assembly needing to be replaced well before the end of its expected lifespan, for example, is leaving a pilot flame burning during the warmer months. Prior to extended use in the colder months, the gas controls, burner and decorative logs should be cleaned and checked/serviced by a qualified professional. 

This product should be tried first before sanding and re-painting the stove surface with 1200 degree stove paint. We offer stove paint here.

Usually rolled steel is what inserts are made from, but that does depend on the unit. Some are cast iron as well.

If the remote worked properly before the batteries were changed, and nothing has been done with the wiring, it is possible that the remote has failed and needs replacement. That particular remote control should have a one-year warranty for replacement, if applicable. We would recommend trying to re-sync the remote as you did the first time it was installed, however.

The RT-8DM chimney cannot be sealed to prevent all possible intrusion of precipitation. We apologize for the inconvenience.

There is no VTR2500 or VTR2536. If you are referring to the Superior VRT2500 36 inch ventless firebox and model number VRT2536, they are one and the same.

Duravent Pellet Venting comes in 45 degree and 90 degree elbows. They do not offer a 30 degree. Unfortunately, you cannot convert to another brand.

If you are looking to install a gas hearth system inside of an existing wood fireplace, we would require measurements for the front width, rear width, height and depth of the existing fireplace opening and would need to know if you are looking for a ventless or direct vent insert. Since fireplace inserts are designed to be installed into existing fireplace openings with unknown measurements, each fireplace insert will have several surround options available in varying sizes to fill the void left between the existing fireplace opening and insert. 

A fresh air kit for a fireplace can indeed be run to a crawlspace. 

Please also check the receiver and change the batteries in that part of your remote system.  If it still does not work, please try the switch on the remote and see if that manually turns the burner on and off.

The only ventless gas log set we have that will fit is the 16" Real Fyre Valley Oak logs. You can see them here: Real Fyre Valley Oak Series.

We apologize, but the Empire Innsbrook inserts cannot accept any other log set than the one that was included with it. There is no way to replace the logs or the burner components within the Innsbrook.

Most warranty information is located on the last page of the installation and instruction manual included with your hearth system. 

No, a direct vent gas fireplace insert requires a fully functional, existing woodburning fireplace and chimney.  You can custom-build an enclosure for a gas fireplace (not insert), however.  For those models, you do not need to go to such lengths, as, for most models, a wooden enclosure will suffice.   You can see our full selection of these fireplaces here: Direct Vent Gas Fireplaces.

The only ash-dump door we carry is 5 1/2" by 9  1/2", which is made for an opening of 4 5/8" by 8 5/8". 

A general rule of thumb is that any exposed length of air-cooled chimney should be enclosed in a framed chimney surround if the length above the roof line will exceed the length of the longest chimney section available. Since you would have 9' of air-cooled chimney above the roof, you will need to frame an insulated chimney surround to house the exposed chimney.   

Without knowing the type of gas hearth system you are wanting, you would need to select a model with a BTU output of 56,000. Please note that the hearth systems we offer should only be used to provide supplemental heat to space and should not be used as a primary heat source or as a substitute for central heating. 

We're sorry, no. This is not possible. 

A gas regulator should be installed on the line prior to the valve. I have seen it installed in that lower compartment area, yes. You should check with local code enforcement as well to ensure that meets local code.

Yes, the damper clamp will hold the damper open just enough to safely allow the exhaust fumes from a pilot light to escape up the chimney.

Most do not permit the unit to be installed on carpet or linoleum. You can place a stove board beneath the unit for a safe installation.

Replacing a thermocouple is usually simple but it does vary in difficulty a bit from application to application.  For that reason, and to ensure the compatibility of a replacement thermocouple, we recommend contacting a local plumber, gas fitter or HVAC professional. 

Vent free gas systems operate at a 99.99% efficiency rating, so the only byproduct of combustion is water vapor and carbon dioxide. Because of this, it is not required that venting be used with a vent free fireplace or log set.

That is indeed how the unit should be installed.