How do you troubleshoot a propane fireplace?

How to Troubleshoot a Propane Fireplace

1. Wearing gloves, ensure the valve on your propane tank is open. Open the valve by turning it counterclockwise until it will not turn anymore.
2. Ensure the valve for your fireplace is open. The fireplace valve generally is under a steel plate next to the fireplace itself.
3. Push the igniter.
4. Relight the pilot light.

In respect to this, why is my propane fireplace not working?

If your pilot light stays lit, but the fireplace won't start, then the problem is likely related to your thermopile, a metal probe (round and slightly smaller than your pinky finger) that converts heat from the burning pilot light's flame into a tiny amount of electricity — just enough to open the gas valve when a

Subsequently, question is, how does a propane fireplace work? One of them feeds fresh air to the propane burner, and the other acts an exhaust to expel gases from the burned fuel up through the chimney and into the outside air. You can even build a mantle above the propane fireplace.

Besides, how do you reset a propane fireplace?

Press the fireplace safety pilot control knob down and hold it as you turn it over to the pilot position. Continue to hold the knob down for five seconds to give the propane enough time to flow through the hose that connects the propane gas line to the fireplace.

Why does my propane fireplace keep shutting off?

If you get dust in the pilot assembly and the pilot needs to be cleaned out, it produces a "lazy" flame, which will be disturbed by the draught of the main burners. The flame lifts away from the thermocouple and causes the temperature on the tip of the thermocouple to drop. This, in turn, makes the gas valve shut off.

How do you know if you have a bad thermocouple?

If you can't get the flame to light at all, and you're sure the gas is on, there's probably an obstruction in the pilot tube. If the flame lights and goes out when you release the gas control knob after holding it in for the recommended 20 to 30 seconds, that's the sign of a thermocouple malfunction.

How do you test a thermocouple?

Steps

1. Locate the pilot light controls on the gas valve.
2. Turn the pilot light on for 30 seconds.
3. Release the button to see if the pilot light goes out.
4. Turn off the gas supply to test the thermocouple again.
5. Count to 20 and wait for the pilot light to go out.
6. Listen for clicking near the gas valve.

How do you service a propane fireplace?

How to Clean a Pilot Assembly on a Propane Fireplace

1. Turn off the fireplace if it is on and shut off the main gas valve.
2. Use a flashlight to look into the tube where the pilot flame comes out.
3. Use a can of compressed air to blow the dust and dirt off of the end of the innermost tube.
4. Turn the gas valve back on and attempt to light the pilot.

Why does my propane fireplace smell?

Propane itself doesn't have an odor. What you smell is an additive that helps identify leaks. If your fireplace is working properly, the smell would indicate your tank is running low because the concentration of the odor additive being sent into the burner is higher.

What does a thermocouple look like?

The thermocouple looks like a piece of metal tubing smaller than a soda straw. To find it, first locate the gas control box. This is the box that the main gas line enters, where you turn the gas on in the furnace. The other end of the thermocouple sits in the flame of the pilot light.

Should the pilot light always be on gas fireplace?

Electronic ignition is when the pilot light on a gas fireplace/insert/stove is only running when the fireplace is on, this means that the unit is likely to have a battery backup as well. A standing pilot is always on, always using a small amount of gas to run constantly unless the gas is physically turned off.

Why is my gas fireplace not turning on?

1. Pilot light systems are the most common reason gas fireplaces fail to light, so check the main gas valve to make sure the gas is turned on. If gas is coming out of the pilot, but it still won't light, the spark igniter could be the problem. Look for and clear out any debris between the igniter and thermocouple.

Can a pilot light flame be adjusted?

Adjusting the Pilot Flame If the pilot flame is too small, you may be able to make it larger by turning the pilot adjustment screw on the valve control counterclockwise with a screwdriver to open it. The cause of a weak flame may also be an obstruction in the pilot tube.

How much is a propane fireplace insert?

A gas-burning fireplace insert heats 1,000 to 3,000 square feet, depending on its size. Talk to your insert dealer about the size of your existing fireplace and what heating capacity you can expect from an insert. Inserts cost $3,000 to $4,000, including installation and a chimney liner.

How do I know if my gas fireplace is working?

You should:

1. Inspect the glass doors for cracks or latch issues.
2. Check that gas logs are in the proper position.
3. Turn gas off at the shut-off valve and test the igniter.
4. Ignite the fire and look for clogged burner holes. If present, turn off gas and clear obstructions with a pin or needle.

How do you purge air from a propane gas line?

While pressing the valve control knob in, press the igniter button repeatedly until the pilot ignites. This could take anywhere from one to 10 minutes to bleed air out of the lines as the gas starts to flow. Once the pilot is lit, continue to press the valve knob inward for 30 seconds before releasing it.

What is the wall switch for on a gas fireplace?

It's easy to know how to turn on a gas fireplace with an electronic ignition wall switch. Many gas fireplaces come equipped with a wall switch control panel for activating the unit and adjusting the level of the flame. Simply push the “On” button and the pilot should ignite.

How much propane does a gas fireplace pilot light use?

A pilot light is a small flame that is kept lit to provide a catalyst for the main burner to be turned on when needed. The average fuel consumption of your standing Pilot light is: Natural gas is $0.60 a day = $219 a year. Liquid Propane is $1.80 a day = $657 a year.

What happens if the pilot light goes out on a gas fireplace?

When a pilot light goes out on a gas fireplace, there is cause for concern if the gas flow hasn't been interrupted. More commonly, a pilot light will go off because of a failure in the supply of gas. One thing to check is the gas valve on the fireplace and make sure it's open.

Why does my gas fireplace go on and off?

My first guess would be the thermocouple is bad, or going bad. The thermocouple is a small device that generates electricity from heat, they are used in gas furnaces and such to shut off the gas in case the pilot goes out (so gas doesn't continue to flow and fill the room).

How often should gas fireplaces be serviced?

The initial and foremost guideline of any gas fireplace system is to have it inspected every year. With professional chimney companies, you can usually have your annual chimney cleaning and gas inspection scheduled at the same time. Matter of fact, your whole system should be inspected annually, top to bottom.

How do I troubleshoot my gas fireplace pilot light?

To do this, hold the pilot button down for about one to three minutes while the air bleeds out. Step 3. If gas is coming out of the pilot, but it still won't light, the spark igniter could be the problem. Alleyne says to look for and clear out any debris between the igniter and thermocouple.