Fireplace Gas Logs - Vented and Ventless

Gas logs come in 3 basic types: Vented Gas Logs and Ventless or Vent-Free Gas Logs, and gas logs for Outdoor Fireplaces and Fire Pits. If you are unsure which to choose, read Vented -vs- Ventless to learn the differences. Once you have chosen the type you want, you'll be able to choose between standard or see through, natural gas or liquid propane and various Burner and Control Options. If you have questions, learn About Gas Logs or talk to a gas log expert at: 1-800-201-1193.

Who makes the best gas logs? The best gas logs on the market are the Real Fyre Gas Logs made by R. H. Peterson. Peterson has been manufacturing gas logs in the USA since 1949. Their Real Fyre logs are by far the most realistic and durable gas logs on the market and are available in sizes ranging from 12" to 60" with so many burner and control options that it is virtually impossible to offer them all online. Although our website has the most thorough display of Peterson gas logs on the Internet, there are still some options that have not yet made it into our online catalog. Fortunately, we are located literally minutes away from the Peterson factory and warehouse, so we have quick access to virtually everything that Peterson makes. If you cannot find what you want quickly on our website, just give us a call and we will get it for you at the lowest price possible. Special orders for gas logs from Peterson that you place with us will cost you less money and take about half the time as other online dealers because the factory is just down the street.

Choose Your Gas Log Type:

Transform your fireplace into a contemporary masterpiece with these gas burning artistic elements. Made from heavy gauge steel, these works of art can be installed in almost any wood burning fireplace that is plumbed with natural gas or liquid propane. They can even be used in outdoor fireplaces and fire pits. Standard and custom sizes are available to fit virtually any size fireplace. Call for a quote: 1-800-201-1193

Buying The Correct Size is Critically Important

Every type gas log burner system must remain a certain distance from the side walls of the fireplace in order to stay cool, which is referred to as "Clearance". The amount of clearance varies depending on the type of gas log burner and controls you select. When the clearance is not met, the gas valve can overheat and melt, which will cause your log set to stop working...and can also create an unsafe condition. Although you might think that the biggest logs that will fit into your fireplace will look the best, you must also consider how much space must be left on each side of the burner system in order for it to be safe. Over-sizing of gas logs is the #1 cause of failure with gas logs. Follow these instructions carefully to avoid making a costly mistake!

Measure the: Front Width x Back Width x Depth

This example shows a masonry fireplace with a marble front that is flush with the firebrick on the inside, so the Front Width measurement is the same as the actual fireplace opening.

Here's a prefabricated fireplace where the width between the fireplace walls is less than the fireplace opening, so the Front Width measurement is smaller than the fireplace opening.

FRONT WIDTH: The front width is the actual "usable" space between the side walls inside your fireplace at the front, not necessarily the width of the opening. If the fascia around your fireplace opening is even with the side walls of the fireplace on the inside, then the Front Width measurement is the same as the fireplace opening (see Fig.1). If you have a prefabricated metal fireplace (zero clearance fireplace) where the opening is actually wider than the width between the side walls inside, do not base the front width on the size of the opening, measure the functional width between the side walls of the fireplace (see Fig.2).

BACK WIDTH: The Back Width is pretty self explanatory and is the measurement of the narrowest width in the back of the fireplace (see Fig.1 and Fig.2 ).

DEPTH: The Depth is simply the measurement from the front to back of your fireplace on the inside. The Front is at the point from which you took the Front Width measurement (see Fig.1 and Fig.2 ).

Height: The height of your fireplace opening needs to be at least 18" for most gas logs. This may vary somewhat between models, but if your opening is at least 18" tall, you will not normally need to be concerned about the height of your fireplace opening..

About the Center Width: The Center Width is the inside width measurement taken 7" back from the point from which you measured the Front Width. This is approximately where the burner and pilot will be positioned when your logs are installed, which is the point where the clearances are critical. So when you see reference to the required "Center Width" for our gas logs, you will know what this is referring to. Our Gas Log Experts will use all of these measurements to determine which size gas logs will best fit your fireplace.

Fig.3 *clearance for safety pilot Fig. #3 above shows how the clearance from each type of gas log burner or control is required from the side walls of the fireplace. The critical measurement is the center width of the fireplace where the burner is placed. Our calculator automatically calculates this distance and takes into account the required clearance for every gas log burner system that we offer. When you use our calculator, only logs that will fit your fireplace will show up in our search results.

Read more about Clearances Here!

Important Note: Liquid Propane always requires a safety pilot, whereas Natural Gas does not.

Match Light (no pilot): Match light systems do not have any type of safety pilot. You start the fire by lighting a long lighter or match and holding it inside the fireplace just above the burner while you turn on the gas. The gas valve should be located either in the wall or floor. If your gas valve is inside the fireplace, be sure that it is legally installed. Most cities require that you at least have a cut off valve outside the fireplace that is in reach. Match light burners are substantially less expensive than other options, but are not legal in many cities.

Manual Pilot: Manually controlled gas logs have a safety pilot that stays lit all of the time (it can be turned off during the off-season). The safety pilot attached to the burner will have a knob that you turn to light the fire manually. This knob works as long as the safety pilot is lit. You cannot use a remote control with a manual safety pilot. Manual safety pilots are less expensive than remote control pilots because they use a less sophisticated system. This is also the least expensive way to operate gas logs with Liquid Propane.

Basic On/Off Remote*: A remote capable safety pilot has the capability of being controlled by a hand held remote control transmitter or by a wall switch. Both the transmitter and receiver are battery operated, so they do not have to be hard wired. The wall switch option (sold separately) includes a small millivolt wire that goes from the wall switch to the pilot valve, but is not hard wired to your electricity.

Variable Flame Remote*: Variable Flame remote safety pilots are also completely battery operated systems and are a step up from a standard On/Off remote because they give you the ability to control the flame height directly from the remote control. Variable Flame remotes are slightly more costly due to the motorized control valve attached to the pilot assembly.

Electronic Ignition Remote*: Electronic ignition systems are the latest technology. The are battery operated systems that have a remote control transmitter and receiver that turns the gas on and off electronically so there is no safety pilot burning when the logs are off. Therefore, there is no wasted gas or noise from a gas pilot during non-operation. This is the most expensive type of system, but the most desired.

*All remote control safety pilots also have the ability to be operated manually from a switch that is on burner safety pilot, so if you cannot find your remote, you can still use the logs.

Hansen Wholesale was the very first company to bring fireplace gas logs to the Internet. We started this portion of our website nearly 25 years ago and since then, we have been the definitive source for R. H. Peterson gas logs. As chief editor at HansenWholesale.com, I bring a unique perspective and validity to the information you will find here. I personally installed thousands of gas logs, and trained many others to do the same. So, unlike other sites, this site is completely managed and edited by someone who truly knows about gas logs...not by a web developer who simply copies information from brochures. Our experience fulfilling the needs of people searching online for gas logs is unsurpassed. Our knowledge is vast, and we truly do employ a staff of gas log experts. So no matter how unusual (or usual) your situation might be, we are capable of handling your needs.

Talk To a Gas Log Expert

Call: 1-800-201-1193

To minimize your risk (and ours), we prefer that you do not order your logs through our shopping cart. Instead, we ask that you call us to place your order. We employ a staff of gas log experts who will answer your questions and make sure the gas logs you purchase will not only fit your fireplace and look great, but will be safe for your particular application. Doing business in this manner allows us to offer you every option that is available from our vendors. You might find our site overwhelming, but rest assured, our experts know exactly what all of these options are and can help you filter through them in a matter of minutes. And if you are able to stump your expert...we have exhaustive resources so we can always find an answer.

Gas Logs Are Confusing

Although R. H. Peterson only has about 65 different gas log styles, there are over 14,000 choices when you consider all of the log and burner combinations that are possible. So gas logs are confusing and we expect that you are going to need help. We have learned over the years that it is nearly impossible for the average consumer to determine the optimal log and burner combination that is safe and proper for their fireplace...regardless of how much information we publish on this site. So please, just give us a call.

Gas Log FAQs

Don't know a thing about gas logs? Not ready to buy? Just looking?

You can get started with your research by visiting our Gas Log FAQs page, which has pretty much everything you need to know about gas logs before you purchase. Regardless of whether you purchase your logs from us, it will be worth your while to educate yourself so that you will know what to look for as you shop around. And don't hesitate to call and pick our brains either...we love talking about gas logs and are always here to answer your questions.