If you live in Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, or anywhere nearby in Riverside County, there’s a good chance your home came with a fireplace that looks like it runs on gas. There’s a gas line inside, maybe a switch or key valve, and some decorative logs. So, most people assume it’s a gas-only fireplace.
But in a lot of cases, it’s actually a wood-burning fireplace that just happens to be plumbed with gas.
This is something we run into all the time. Homeowners are using their wood-burning fireplaces like they’re gas appliances, and in some cases, they’ve never even realized their system was built to burn real wood.
So here’s the breakdown.
What is a Gas Fireplace?
A true gas fireplace is made to run on gas only. You’ll usually see a sealed unit with a glass front, no damper, and no flue like a regular fireplace. These are built to contain the flame and exhaust safely without handling wood or the heat that comes with it.
You’ll find these more often in newer homes or remodels. If you’ve got one of these, you definitely shouldn’t be putting wood in there. It’s not built for it, and it can be dangerous.
Then What’s a Fireplace with a Gas Line?
Here’s where people get tripped up.
Many homes built in places like Murrieta, Temecula, and Menifee (especially from the ’80s through early 2000s) have wood-burning fireplaces with a gas line added. That gas line can be used for two purposes: either to aid you in lighting the wood or for attaching a decorative gas accessory such as gas logs or fire glass.
For a wood lighting assist, you turn the key, light the flame under the logs, and once the wood catches, you shut the gas off. That’s it. The gas is just a fire starter, not the fuel source for the fire. But a lot of people see the gas line and assume it’s a gas fireplace. So they turn it on and leave it burning by itself. That’s not how it’s supposed to work, and it’s usually not safe.
If you want to burn gas as a fuel in your fireplace, it must be properly converted with an ANSI-approved decorative accessory. Of course, an inspection is absolutely necessary before a conversion occurs. It’s not just our policy, it is industry industry-written standard for safety.
How Can You Tell the Difference?
If your fireplace has a damper, a chimney flue, and a steel or masonry firebox, and you see a gas pipe coming in, there’s a good chance it’s a wood-burning fireplace with a log lighter.
Look around for a metal tag or label somewhere inside the firebox. Sometimes it’ll tell you what kind of unit you have. But honestly, the safest thing to do is just get it inspected. We do that every day, and it’s quick and affordable.
Why It Matters
Using your fireplace the wrong way can cause some serious issues. You could damage the unit, create a fire hazard, or send harmful gases back into the home. If you’re thinking about installing gas logs or converting to a gas fireplace, there are safety rules and local codes that need to be followed, too.
Just because there’s a gas pipe there doesn’t mean it’s ready for a full gas setup. On the contrary, just because it has a gas line, doesn’t mean it can be converted to wood. These details matter a great deal.
The Bottom Line
If you’re not sure what kind of fireplace you have, we can help. Whether you’re in Temecula, Murrieta, Menifee, or the surrounding areas, we’ve inspected thousands of fireplaces across Southern California. We’ll tell you exactly what you’ve got and whether it’s safe to use the way you are.
Call us at 951-698-8676 or visit www.AdvancedChimneyCleaning.com to book your inspection.