Gas Fireplaces

[TastesLikeChicken]

Recently the wife and I relocated and bought a new home (new to us). It was built in the 80s and has a gas fireplace, something we have never dealt with before. Had a guy come to check out the gas lines and set it all up. Everything works great.

The question I have is about the vermiculite. How long does it last. I've seen some suggestions that it should be replaced every year. Is that true? Supposedly a layer of sand and steel wool is required too. btw, we live in Florida so it rarely gets used.

What sayeth the ATH&G gas fireplace pros?

 

[krose]

Never heard of vermiculite, sand or steel wool in a gas fireplace. Must be because it is an older one. We've had one eight years and it has ceramic logs. You don't have logs?

Edit: IIRC vermiculite is expanded mica, and should last for years. It's used to help disperse the gas, as is sand. Steel wool is flammable, don't know why they'd use that. Our Cozy Heat just has a burner and ceramic logs arranged over it.

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

The house was built in the early 80's and the fireplace is original to the build so it is very likely an older model of gas fireplace. Yes, it has ceramic logs and, damn, those things are expensive.

Vermiculite is used in gas fireplaces to simulate glowing embers under the grate where the logs sit, just like a real fireplace. That much I know. Not sure how long it lasts though. I have no idea what the sand is for but the steel wool might be used to simulate a crackling effect. The online research I've done is inconclusive which is why I'm asking here. Was hoping to find someone knowledgeable since AT is usually a treasure-trove of arcana.

 

[Scarpozzi]

I have a fireplace that has vermiculite.

My local store (Hearth & Patio) told me 4-5 years or so will work....it really depends on though...here, they say 7-10 years:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Emberglo...gclid=CJH_0ric-MMCFUk8gQodnDkABg&gclsrc=aw.ds