How to Operate a Manual Control Gas Log
While manual control gas logs take less work than a traditional wood-burning fireplace, they still require care and consideration. The process is simple, but you'll need to spend some time familiarizing yourself with the anatomy of the fireplace and the safest way to light them.
Manual control gas log fireplaces offer a convenience that wood-burning and electric fireplaces can't. In the event of a power outage an electric fireplace won't work, and wood can be difficult to deal with. If you spend some time learning how to work your gas logs they are easy to operate.
- Use the fireplace key to turn off the gas. If you don't have a key you'll want to find the knob that controls the gas and ensure it's turned off.
- Use a special log lighter to light the fire. These are longer and burn slower so you won't risk burning yourself. Place the flame of the log lighter directly over the log burner. This is usually found directly under the actual logs.
- Slowly turn the gas back on. You want to do this as slowly as you can to prevent a blow-out. Once the gas is ignited you can remove the log lighter and blow it out. Use the key or knob to adjust the gas until you have the flame you want.
If you have a pilot light you don't need to follow the above steps.
- Instead, turn off the gas and look for the access panel for the pilot. There will be an igniter button here as well.
- Turn the gas back on and press the pilot igniter button. This should spark the gas and create the flame.