Wood Burning Vs. Propane Gas Fireplace Insert

Gas Inserts

• A gas fireplace insert contains all the mechanisms for operating the fireplace. The insert can be set inside a masonry unit or the unit can be freestanding. If the insert is inside of masonry the fireplace can be vented or vent-less. Vented insert units are most often used when a fireplace is converted from wood-burning to gas. Vent-less units can be placed just about anywhere in a home because they do not require a chimney, hence the term "vent-less" or "vent-free." The heat is produced by a gas line hook-up, which can use either natural gas (NG) of liquid propane (LP). Gas inserts can also be used for wood-burning fireplaces that utilize a gas starter to ignite the fire. Non-wood-burning gas fireplaces use artificial logs to replicate the look of fire flames.

Wood-Burning Inserts

• Like gas inserts, wood-burning inserts are also metal boxes that are installed inside of masonry to create a fireplace. The major distinction is that wood-burning fireplaces require ventilation and connection to a chimney. The advantage of a wood-burning insert is that it incorporates mechanisms to give the owner greater control. The owner can adjust the flue of the fireplace to increase or decrease the amount of air and smoke that goes up the chimney, and the amount of cold air that is returned into the room. Inserts provide features to make wood-burning fireplaces more efficient.

Similarities

• Insert manufacturers give owners an almost overwhelming range of choices to create a look for their fireplace that's decorative and distinctive. Inserts can range from the basics of a cast iron metal box all the way up to high-end models with brass and copper accents to stained glass replicas for the fireplace door. As long as the materials and design is fireproof and meets safety regulations, owners can think "off the page" of what's offered in catalogs and stock items to create a design that no one else can have. Fireplaces are always attention-getters.

Differences

• Heat productivity, efficiency, convenience and ambiance are surely at the top of the list of differences. Another distinction is that you can convert a wood-burning fireplace to gas with a gas insert, but not the other way around. A gas insert can produce a fire at the flick of a switch, and warm up a room much quicker than wood. That gives gas three check marks -- it's productive, efficient and convenient. When it comes to ambiance, well, that could be a tie. If you're okay with artificial logs -- give another check mark to gas. However, if you're a die-hard fan of the aroma of burning wood, and the crackling roar of a real wood fireplace -- there's nothing a gas fireplace can do for you. You are a card-carrying wood-burning fireplace aficionado.