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Vented - vs - Vent Free Gas Logs
Find out which is best for your home...vented or ventless!


Similar Pages: Gas Log FAQs page! Why do Ventless Gas Logs Smell

Basic Overview

Vented Gas Logs Require a Fully Functional Wood Burning Fireplace, Ventless (or Vent Free) Gas Logs can be installed in either a wood burning fireplace, or a ventless fireplace that is rated for aftermarket ventless logs. Ventless gas logs will produce more heat, while vented gas logs will look much more realistic. Read the Pros and Cons of each below:


Vented Gas Logs:

"Fully Vented" gas logs and must be burned in a fireplace that is capable of burning real wood and must be burned with the damper open. The reason for this is that they do not burn the gas cleanly and create exhaust that is very similar to burning a real wood fire. This exhaust needs to be able to go up the chimney. The real beauty of vented gas logs is that they produce substantially more yellow flame than ventless logs which makes them look far more realistic. The downside is that most of the heat goes right up the chimney.

However, In most cases, you can offset this heat loss by slightly closing the damper...but you must be careful that the exhaust from your logs is not coming into the room because, just like burning real wood, it contains Carbon Monoxide. A good way to test this is to turn on your gas logs with the damper slightly closed. Hold a lighter or candle in front of the fireplace opening near the top. If the flame from the lighter (candle) is being drawn in toward the fireplace, then you are OK. If the flame is standing still or pushed out toward the room, then your fireplace is not drafting enough and you must open the damper more.

Positive Features of Vented Gas Logs:

  1. Extremely realistic flame pattern that looks like a wood fire.
  2. Flame is much taller than ventless logs
  3. Flame dances and wraps around logs like real wood.
  4. Does not require a CO2 detector
  5. Since the damper is open, most of the smell will go up the chimney

Negative Features of Vented Gas Logs:

Do's and Dont's for Vented Gas Logs
(Additional information you should read before buying Ventless Gas Logs)

  1. Less heat than ventless logs (probably won't heat your room)
  2. Uses slightly more gas than ventless logs

Check out some Vented Gas Log Installation Manuals Here before you purchase.


Ventless Gas Logs:

Ventless gas logs (often referred to as "Vent Free" gas logs) have specially designed burners that burn the gas cleanly and produce almost no exhaust...somewhat like the way a gas range in a kitchen works. Since there is little or no exhaust, they can be burned with the damper closed.

The beauty of this type of system is that 99.9% of the heat produced by the gas logs goes into the room, so they produce substantially more heat than their vented counter-parts. However, there are many negative features commonly associated with ventless logs that you must be aware of before you decide to purchase them:

Positive Features of Ventless Gas Logs:

  1. Much better heat output than vented gas logs
  2. Less pollution
  3. Slightly less gas consumption

Negative Features of Ventless Gas Logs:

Do's and Dont's for Ventless Gas Logs
(Additional information you should read before buying Ventless Gas Logs)

  1. Since the byproduct of burning gas cleanly is water, ventless logs will introduce excess moisture into your home which can result in mold or mildew.
  2. You must be careful not to burn your ventless logs for extended periods of time with windows closed, otherwise they will deplete the oxygen in your home.
  3. If you burn your ventless logs for more than an hour or so, you must crack open a window to allow air into your home to replace the oxygen burned by the ventless logs. This will introduce cold air into the room and offset some of the heating benefits that ventless logs claim to have.
  4. Ventless logs produce an odor that many people equate to the smell of burning kerosene. So if you have a sensitive nose, you may not be able to handle the smell and will be greatly dissatisfied with ventless logs. On the other hand, we've heard some people who like the smell because it reminds them of their childhood days at Grandma's house. (Read Why Ventless Gas Logs Smell)
  5. Ventless logs can cause eye irritation and coughing spells to those who are sensitive.
  6. Ventless logs are not legal in California as well as some cities and municipalities. However, you can still purchase ventless logs from us if you live in California...you will just have to burn them with the damper open (which really defeats the purpose).
  7. Ventless logs are required to have an ODS (oxygen depletion system) as well as a CO2 detector...which might tell you that there are some risks involved in operating them if these systems fail.
  8. The flame pattern with ventless logs pails in comparison to vented logs. Because the gas must burn cleanly, the flame height is very low and most of it is blue.
  9. Also, you will find that the flame does not dance around like a real wood fire and very little of the flame actually touches the logs. The reason for this is that when the flame touches the logs, it gets cooled off and does not burn cleanly and starts to produce soot and exhaust gases.
  10. Installing vent-free gas logs is not a DIY job. Installation must be performed by a professional who can do the proper tests on your gas pressure and make sure that the installation meets building codes and follows the specifications required.
  11. Clearances to combustables is different than that of wood buring fires or vented gas logs. If there is a mantel above the fireplace, you may need to install a hood to divert heat away from it. You should check the Installation Manual for the Ventless Logs for clearance requirements before you order them.
  12. There are also BTU limitations based on the cubic feet of air available to your room. The maximum BTUs allowed is calculated using this formula: Room Width x Room Length x Ceiling Height x 20.
  13. Ventless gas logs may not be legal in a bedroom or confined space (differs with local building codes).
  14. Other restrictions apply with each of the various burner systems available, so again, you should read the installation manual pertaining to the ventless logs you are considering "Before You Purchase".


Bottom Line: We highly recommend that you purchase vented gas logs. You will be much happier with flame that they produce and less likely to experience discomfort from odors or irritation. We only recommend ventless logs when maximizing the heat output outweighs all of the other negative aspects.


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Answers to Recent Questions Posted To This Page

  1. Posted: 1/22/2010 11:52:34 AM

    My 15-year old fireplace is considered a B-Vent unit, propane gas, and is see-through on two sides with glass fronts that remain in place during burning. What type of logs (vented, ventfree, etc.) do you recommend for this unit?

    Answer: If in fact your fireplace is a B-Vent type fireplace, then you CANNOT use ANY of the gas logs listed on our website. You can only use gas logs that are designed and manufactured specifically for your fireplace by the company who made your fireplace. You will need to locate the owners manual to find out which logs will work. If you cannot locate your owners manual, then I suggest Googling the brand and model number of your fireplace to see if it exists online. There should be a label inside your fireplace somewhere near the opening that will have that information. That label may also list the specific model numbers of the gas logs that are allowed.

    It is also possible that there are "NO" options for gas log models for your fireplace...which is in fact more often the case. Typically, a B-Vent fireplace will come with it's own specific built-in burner system that is located below the bottom of the firebox...and there are specific logs that are included that work only with that burner system.

    Also, if your glass fronts are "Sealed" and do not open...then it sounds more like your fireplace is a Direct Vent fireplace rather than a B-Vent. However, the above information holds true for direct vent gas fireplaces.

    If you can email me a picture of your fireplace, I may be of some help identifying it: gregt@hansenwholesale.com


  2. Posted: 1/9/2010 4:49:07 PM

    If I buy vented logs with a fan, will the hot air come into the room when the fan is on instead of going up the chimney?

    Answer: Vented gas logs do not come with a fan, and it is not recommended that you use any aftermarket fans that you may find available. They tend to disturb the way the burner system is designed to operate and can cause potential problems. They will also void the warranty of your gas logs. Please call us so we can help you get the best logs for your fireplace.

  3. Posted: 12/15/2009 1:10:59 AM

    Is the smell from the ventless logs from the logs burning, or the flame. Ouf logs create asmell, and eventually will cause burning itchy eyes.

    Answer: As mentioned on our vented - vs - ventless and Gas Log FAQ pages, ventless logs do in fact produce an odor. There is little you can do about this...it is simply the nature of Ventless Logs. However, if the smell has gotten noticeably worse recently, then you definitely need to have your gas logs checked.

    Because this has been such a common question lately, I decided to expand upon it on our Vented - vs - Vent Free Gas Logs page where I just added a more detailed response to this question.


  4. Posted: 12/11/2009 4:59:25 PM

    I thought I wanted ventless but after reading about each, I am not sure. I have a wood burning fireplace with glass doors on the front. I want gas logs primarily for looks which they state that vented logs are much prettier but how much heat do you lose up the chimney? Can you run with the doors shut? I have an ash clean out door outside, Could I open it slightly or drill holes in it for air to come in from the outside and if so how much open area would I neesd in the outside door.

    Answer: If you want gas logs primarily for looks, then I would not even consider a ventless gas log...you will most likely be disappointed. Yes, most of the heat will go up the flue with a vented gas log, but burning a real wood fire does the same thing, while creating a warm and cozy atmosphere if you in front of the fireplace.

    As far as burning gas logs with the doors closed, Peterson recently introduced an all new gas log that is capable of doing that. All other gas logs MUST be burned with the doors open. However, this log set burns with a lower BTU than other vented logs and will put out less flame and heat, although it still looks better than a ventless logs. You can read more about this new gas log on our website using this link: gas logs that can be burned with doors closed

    As far as your idea about poking holes in your ash door to allow air into the fireplace, it would be irresponsible for me to make such a recommendation when there is no such specification from any gas log manufacturer as to how to go about doing it in such a manner that it would be acceptable.

    I will say that unless you buy the above gas logs, you will need to burn any other gas log with your doors open.


  5. Posted: 12/9/2009 2:16:48 AM

    I have a ventless log system in a woodburning fireplace. With damper closed I get too much heat and some smell (no gas smell). If I open the damper will this rediuce heat (Im sure it will). But, will it also reduce the odor? And, will I lose heat from my regular gas furnace system with the damper open? Thanks

    Answer: I believe you have answered your own question. Yes, you will have reduced heat if you burn your vent free gas logs with your damper open. As a matter of fact, you will substantially reduce the heat because most of it will go up the flue. Yes, you will loose heat from your gas furnace because some of that will go up the flue as well...and yes, you will have less odor from a ventless gas log if you burn it with the damper open. Based on your comments, I believe a vented gas log would have been more suitable for your fireplace.

    For those of you considering purchasing ventless logs, I suggest that you read our Vented vs Vent Free gas log page that discusses the these issues in great detail so that you can decide which of the two gas log types of gas logs is best for you before you make your purchase...or just give us a call and we will be happy to tell you all about them.


  6. Posted: 12/8/2009 9:02:00 PM

    I have a brick chimney with no flue in it. Can I burn vented logs safely?

    Answer: If by no flue you mean there is no damper, then the answer is yes, providing the chimney is in sound working condition. If you are insinuating that there is no chimney, then the answer is No, you cannot install a vented gas log in a fireplace that does not have a working chimney. Vented gas logs must be installed only in fireplaces that are fully functional wood burning fireplaces...or in an oudoor fire pit.

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