Gas Logs for Big, Stone and Farmhouse Fireplaces Around Brewster

When the Firebox Is Bigger Than Usual

Log sets are sold by nominal width, and the burner underneath has a fixed size. Put a small set in a cavernous fireplace and it looks like a campfire in a garage. Go too big, though, and the burner input can exceed what the flue and the gas supply can handle.

We measure the opening and the back wall separately, since many old fireplaces taper sharply toward the rear, and we check depth at the floor. Then we look for a set whose burner fits the back width and whose logs fill the visual space up front. Some manufacturers make extended burners or add-on log pieces for exactly this situation.

• Front width and back width, measured at the floor
• Depth from the opening to the back wall
• Height of the opening and the location of the damper throat
• Flue size, which limits how large a vented burner can go

Working With Stone and Old Brick

Fieldstone fireplaces are irregular inside and out, and the stones are often far harder than brick. To bring the gas line in, we pick an entry point through a mortar joint where possible rather than through the face of a stone, use the right masonry bit and go slowly to avoid cracking. The pipe passes through a sleeve and the opening is sealed with a material suited to heat.

Uneven hearth floors are common too. The burner pan has to sit level and stable so the flame stays even and logs do not slide. We shim and set the pan properly rather than letting it rock on a high spot in the stone.

Fuel for Country Properties

Homes in the village of Brewster may have natural gas, while many farms and rural homes nearby rely on propane. A large vented log set can draw a significant amount of fuel per hour, so on propane we look at tank size and how you plan to use the fire before recommending the burner. A vent-free set uses less fuel and puts more heat into the room, but only when the room and the firebox suit it.

Our Brewster propane line service handles piping from the regulator to the hearth, and homes on a utility meter are covered by our natural gas line installation.

Damper, Draft and the Tall Chimney

Older farmhouse chimneys tend to be tall and wide, which can make for a strong draft. That is good for carrying exhaust away from a vented set, but it also pulls warm room air out when the fire is off, especially once the damper clamp holds the damper partly open. Glass doors that suit the log set help, as does making sure the damper plate itself still seals around its edges.

If the old damper is rusted through or missing, a top-sealing damper installed at the chimney crown by a chimney professional can be a good solution, provided it is set up so it cannot close while the gas logs are available.

Logs That Suit a Rustic Hearth

Rustic split-oak, rough bark and weathered timber styles tend to look most at home in stone and old brick. Heavy refractory logs hold up well in big fireboxes and keep their detail. Once the burner is in, we place each log to the diagram, build the ember bed and test the full flame. For more on choosing a set, see our Stark County gas log guide, and if the property also needs a service plan, our Brewster plumbing maintenance visits can include an annual look at the logs.