Gas Logs in Outdoor Fireplace

Question: Can your gas log sets be used in outdoor fireplaces?

Answer: Our log sets may be used outdoors. We recommend using volcanic ash as the pan filler rather than sand (the normal pan filler for natural gas), as the volcanic ash will maintain a more balanced flame than sand. Sand tends to pack with moisture. Gas takes the path of least resistance and will flow away from an area of packing to create tall flames at one part of the burner and small at the other. You can always loosen the packed area to restore a better flame, but volcanic ash will maintain a more balanced flame without this maintenance.

The logs are made out of high quality cement and aggregates and are impervious to the elements (fire is more corrosive than rain).

The steel burners we use are more than adequate for years of normal use without going to the expense of stainless steel. You could replace the steel burners four or five times for the additional cost of ones made of stainless steel, which is why we do not make our burners in stainless steel.

We recommend that outdoor fireplaces be match lighted and attended while in operation. You will experience nuisance shutdown of safety pilot controls, as the uncontrolled elements will blow out the pilot, most likely requiring relighting before each use. We do not recommend electronic (pilot on demand) ignition systems either, as they require the maintenance of a pilot flame while the main burner is on, which may be unduly influence by the elements and result in cycling of the main burner – very annoying!