Are Ventless Gas Logs Safe?
A ventless gas logs system is just like a gas stove. If you feel safe operating your gas stove, you should feel completely safe operating a ventless gas log system. The fuel burns cleanly, so the result is mostly carbon dioxide and water. Like your gas stove, you wouldn't run your ventless gas log system 24 hours a day.
Felix is back this week with more helpful advice about Gas Logs. Felix has been working with Gas Logs for years and he's a really good guy, so you can trust his word on this subject.
Are Ventless Gas Logs Safe?
December 23rd, 2016
Ventless (or vent-free) Gas Logs are safe.
Like a Gas Stove
To me, a ventless gas log system is just like a gas stove. If you feel safe operating your gas stove, you should feel completely safe operating a ventless gas log system. The fuel burns cleanly, so the result is mostly carbon dioxide and water. Let's be clear: not Carbon Monoxide (CO), which can be dangerous - but carbon dioxide (CO2), which is what plants "breathe."
Just like your gas stove, flames eat up oxygen so you don't want to leave it running 24 hours a day. As a general rule, you should not run your ventless logs for more than 4 hours at a time so that you have plenty of oxygen in your home. But to be extra safe, all of our ventless gas logs will automatically turn themselves off before the oxygen gets too low.
Don't Rearrange the Logs
One little piece of advice about ventless gas logs: don't rearrange the logs. Make sure they are stacked as described in the owner's manual. This will keep the flames from touching with the logs in a way that was never intended, which can cause soot. A small amount of soot on your logs is normal but if you notice you're getting a lot more, that means the gas is not burning cleanly and it's time have them serviced by a professional.
Annual Inspections
Ventless gas logs are a kind of heater, and like a gas furnace it is smart to have it checked by a professional once in a while. For safety, the manufacturer (in our experience, R. H. Peterson is the best) suggests having your ventless gas logs inspected and serviced annually to make sure the logs are stacked correctly, the burner ports are clean and the entire system is functioning properly.
If you have any other questions about gas logs - of any kind - call Felix. I'm a Gas Log Expert at Hansen Wholesale at 1-800-201-1193, extension 136. I've been doing this for almost 20 years, so I have all your answers. And if you're interested in buying ventless (vent-free) or vented gas logs, I can set you up with the best deal, for sure.
Thanks for reading. I hope this helps!
- Felix
800-201-1193 x136
Gas Log Expert, Hansen Wholesale