| The burners installed in prefabricated Direct-Vented or B-Vented gas fireplaces are part of the fireplace, generally built in and rarely interchangeable. The fireplaces are tested with a particular burner and log arrangement. Any changes to this set up requires further testing for certification, which can be prohibitively expensive for the manufacturers. Unfortunately this often results in a standardized view of what a fireplace burner with logs should look like, which does not please all design professionals and end users. In some cases, under special installation permits, we can substitute burners that are more agreeable to the client.
Log set style burners, which are installed into existing wood burning, masonry or prefabricated fireplaces, are often regarded as the most "realistic" burners available. This is partially because of the amount of gas used with log sets combined with the open (as opposed to sealed) nature of the fireplaces creates a large active flame. Although not very efficient, log sets are often chosen for their aesthetic qualities.
Ultimately, if one is not satisfied with the production burners available on the market or if one has an odd, small or oversized fireplace to work with, we have the capability to fabricate custom burners in any shape and size. The most workable set up, from a technical point of view, is a sand pan style burner: The pan of sand, usually about 2 ½" deep, has a steel pipe running through it that releases gas into the sand, which then filters up and combusts on the surface, providing a flame. Objects such as lava rock, river rock, ceramic and concrete logs et cetera are placed on the sand bed to make the flame read. Without something placed on the sand, the flame will burn blue. There are other types of custom burners, such as a manifold-style burner, which has a steel plate top with holes drilled in it. Straight pipe burners are also possible but difficult to produce with any consistency because of pressure issues.
Like many construction related products, if enough time is taken for research in advance, there usually exists a solution for most situations. At Vancouver Gas Fireplaces, we are happy to assist you with your investigation and analysis.
Vancouver Gas Fireplaces is North America's leading wholesaler and innovator of custom fireplace design and implementation. VGF provides the most comprehensive fireplace website to architects, builders, designers and renovators.
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