Ventless Gas Logs have an odor, why do they smell?
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Fire Magic has been building the world's finest outdoor gas grills for more than 80 years.
Many visitors to our site already own Ventless Gas Logs and are asking how to get rid of the smell or why they produce a smell.This page is meant to answer that question and provide valuable insight to those who are considering purchasing a vent free gas log in the future.
This discussion does not apply to Vented Gas Logs.Vented gas logs are burned in wood burning fireplaces with the damper open, so the smell that is produced goes up the flue.If you install vented gas logs, you won't have the odor problem described below if you have a poorly drafting fireplace.
For the sake of this discussion, I will refer to Natural Gas.Although Liquid Propane and the Additives used in its production have a different chemical makeup than Natural Gas, the basic premise below applies to both gases.
Ventless logs produce an unmistakable odor, some more so than others, depending on the quality of the brand.The nature of burning gas in your home without exhausting the fumes up a chimney is the only way to prevent this.In a perfect world, the natural byproduct of burning natural gas is water and carbon dioxide, neither of which have an odor.Gas is not always pure, so we end up with other things.
The chemical formula shows how Methane gas is made up of Carbon and Hydrogen.Water Vapor is produced when the Carbon, Oxygen, and Hydrogen are combined.They are odorless non-toxic gases.Some of the carbon molecule remain as carbon and some of them combine with a single oxygen molecule and produce Carbon Monoxide if the gas does not burn completely.The final result of the reaction is the production of heat.The formula is here.
You can assume that carbon monoxide is being produced if you see soot on your logs.
Natural gas that is supplied to your home is not perfect because we don't live in a perfect world.The rotten egg smell is added so that you can smell a gas leak if it occurs, because natural gas in its raw state is odorless.The most common rotten smell is Methyl Mercaptan.Sulfur Dioxide smells like burnt matches and rotten eggs.The smell of ventless logs comes from odors produced by the gas supply.
Sulfur dioxide can cause irritation to the eyes and respiratory tract.Although gas suppliers claim that the amount of mercaptan added to natural gas is so minute that it poses no health risk, many people experience eye irritation or coughing spells when burning ventless logs.
The oldest gas log manufacturer in the USA makes Vent Free Gas Logs.Peterson ventless logs are a premium brand that is designed to minimize the odor and maximize the realistic appearance, unlike less expensive brands that are sold at home centers.Many of our customers report no smell at all, but some odors can be prevented based on the gas supply.
If you are sensitive to odors, we highly recommend that you purchase vented gas logs.They produce realistic flame that you will be happy with and less likely to be bothered by odors or irritation.When maximizing the heat output outweighs all of the other negative aspects, we only recommend ventless logs.
The main goal of our staff is to provide you with an unparalled level of knowledge and customer service.Most of our experts have been with us for a long time.If you enjoy great customer service and want quality products in your home, you will enjoy the benefits of doing business with Hansen Wholesale.