Log Lighter - LP

[Alan L.]

In my new house I had a line run to my indoor fireplace from the propane tank, not for gas logs but for starting wood logs.

There is a valve cutoff sticking out of the rock and inside the firebox is a stubbed out pipe with threads, probably 1/2".

I know I need a log lighter bar, but it is unclear if I need just the pipe (which appears to be open on the end which seems strange) or a kit, which includes the valve (which I already have). Any ideas on what I need?

Also, there is no electricity hooked to the fireplace. How do I light the thing? Use a match?

 

[ragkar]

Oh my gosh. If your house insurance man finds out he'll cancel you faster than you could believe. You do know that LP is practically odorless and poisonous.
My suggestion is that you go to a fireplace accessory place and buy the grid, pipe and controller. Though I don't know how you would keep the outlet pipes clean with ash falling on it. You'll have a pilot light auto shutdown and a means of lighting your logs.
Maybe they would have a better suggestion.

 

[xlr82v2]

Ragkar,

I don't know about your LP gas in your area, but the LP around here is DEFINITELY not odorless.

Alan L,

I'd seek out the advice of a professional fireplace installer on this one. Better safe than sorry. They can get you hooked up with all the stuff that you need to do the job right. Gas log lighter would be a nice option in a fireplace!

 

[WVBill]

I tried to get a log lighter from my Propane company here in WV and they refused. Said there is no such thing that passes UL certification.

WVBill

 

[RavensRoost]

Google on Blue Flame log lighter.

RavensRoost

 

[ragkar]

I think you may be right about LP odor. It's been a long time since I smelled it.
Anecdote - In my poorer years I lived in a mobile home with a LP hot water heater Just off the bedroom closet. I recall one week when I was having troubles with this heater which was just about four feet from my sleeping head. That week I also had terrific headaches (I usually never get them) all week long. To make matters worse, apparently some small animal had died under the mobile home and I could smell it's decomposing stink.
Somehow I didn't put one and two together. Yep the smell was escaping LP gas. I could have died in my sleep.
Oh yeah, I smoke in bed.
After a week of this I finally woke up to my problem and called an electrician to replace the LP hot water heater with an electric model.

 

[teg]

I got my log lighter *free* from a local plumber (natural gas) They had a bucket full of them and said take whichever one you want, just remember us when you plan to get tired of it and want a gas fireplace.

I loved it, the gas cut off is out of the fireplace. I used L o n g matches and sometimes fire sticks. About once a year I have to clean out the holes that the gas comes out. Actually had the log lighter totally under the ash... turned it on and flicked the fire stick and it lights up no sign of the log lighter - just flame coming from the ash.

It was a pipe with small holes drilled on top that screwed into a little block that had a small adjustable hole to allow air to mix with the natural gas. I do not know if the LP one is different. When I get home, I'll take a photo of it.


.

 

[Alan L.]

For some reason the LP version of this device is outlawed by some codes, apparently not in mine (or the plumber would not have run the line for the LP gas).

I certainly don't want something dangerous in my house, but since I was running propane for the tankless water heater and outside grill anyway, I figured it would be nice to have a gas lighter for the fireplace.

Seems like some kind of pilot setup would just burn up in the wood fire.

 

[vic4news]

I think you may be right about LP odor. It's been a long time since I smelled it.

Propane is orderless, but something is added to it to give it an odor for safety
reasons. I'm not sure when they started doing this, but I'm pretty sure that
I can remember it having an odor back in the 1960s.

 

[AlanB]

I believe, and it could be backed with some research, that they started adding the odorant to the gasses after a huge explosion in a school in Texas, I believe it was sometime early in the 1900's.

I believe the NG was a by product from the oil wells and they gave it away.

Not sure where I am remembering it from, but remember hearing about it in detail.

Sorry I am no help to the OP.

 

[NTEXSAM]

THE SCHOOL IN TX WAS NEW LONDON . THE EXPLOSION KILLED ABOUT 300 KIDDOS I THINK. ALMOST EVERY ONE IN THE TOWN LOST A CHILD . IT WAS FREE NG FROM LOCAL WELLS.VERY TRAGIC. SAM

 

[SPYDERLK]

Propane is orderless, but something is added to it to give it an odor for safety
reasons. I'm not sure when they started doing this, but I'm pretty sure that
I can remember it having an odor back in the 1960s.

A trace of Mercaptan.

larry​

 

[dbdartman]

THE SCHOOL IN TX WAS NEW LONDON . THE EXPLOSION KILLED ABOUT 300 KIDDOS I THINK. ALMOST EVERY ONE IN THE TOWN LOST A CHILD . IT WAS FREE NG FROM LOCAL WELLS.VERY TRAGIC. SAM

Happened in 1932. Just caught a thing about it on one of the cable channels the other day.

 

[kenmac]

prppane (like nat gas ) has odorant added. I've never seen propane used for log lighters. Propane is heavier than nat gas & air. it doesn't tend to rise ,but stay low to the ground. This is what makes propane so much more dangerous to use. So, be real careful if you use it in this way. I have made log lighters out of 1/2 pipe by drilling holes along the pipe & capping the end

 

[Alan L.]

In case it means anything, there is a special version of log lighter just for propane.

The only time propane will be turned here is to light a fire, then the valve will be turned off. I suppose the danger is in the valve not closing all the way, or a leak in a connection somewhere. Is it because some propane might leak into the room before it gets lit? Would seem to be a very small quantity.

Given the properties of propane, heavier than air etc I don't quite grasp the problem of this log lighter setup versus a propane furnace or water heater which noone seems to consider to be dangerous, if there is a leak.

There are propane detectors which I might consider getting and mounting low on the wall near the fireplace.

I want it to be absolutely save, but then the propane is already piped into the house and the connections are back in the wall where you can't get to them. I do know they put a pressure tester on it for weeks before finishing out the job so I assume it was not leaking.

 

[kenmac]

the problem with propane log lighter, is, there's nothing to light the propane except you when the gas starts comming out. a Furnace or a water heater has an ignition source at the ready to light the gas. When you turn the lighter on have your match lit & ready at the source to light the gas & turn it on a little at a time . I've seen some that turn the gas on all the way stand back light the match & throw the lit match to the gas. You don't want to do propane this way because it will linger close to the ground & you wont know where it is until it is lit

 

[Alan L.]

OK I would definitely plan to light it immediately with a LOOOOOONNNNNNGGGGGG match.

 

[wroughtn_harv]

Alan that set up scares the beJezzuz out of me.

It appears your plumber ran the line figuring you'd have a professional install a gas log fire in your fire place.

What I'd do right now, this morning, would be to cap that pipe. If I was going to consider using the propane source for a lighter I'd immediately install an explosive gas meter as close as practical to the fireplace. And I'd sure as heck remove that key and put in a place where an inquisitive child or adult wouldn't be tempted.

All it would take for a disaster would be an accidental contact with the key and then a spark some time later.

 

[Alan L.]

Removing the key is a great idea. My plumber definitely knew what I had in mind, and never said anything about the danger.

I guess I still don't see where the danger is, although Harv just brought up a biggee and that is having a grandchile turn the gas on. I will remove the key.

Is it possible for the propane to be leaking while the fire is lit? If not, whats the difference in danger level from a hot water heater or furnace. Is it just the pilot light?

Added later: The key is out. Thanks for the great advice!

 

[kenmac]

Removing the key is a great idea. My plumber definitely knew what I had in mind, and never said anything about the danger.

I guess I still don't see where the danger is, although Harv just brought up a biggee and that is having a grandchile turn the gas on. I will remove the key.

Is it possible for the propane to be leaking while the fire is lit? If not, whats the difference in danger level from a hot water heater or furnace. Is it just the pilot light?

Added later: The key is out. Thanks for the great advice!

Alan, I have replaced those valves B-4 . Over time they will leak a small amount of gas ( just from being turned on & off ) A gas water heater or gas furnace ( these days ) have soo many safety devices installed that, whlie it does happen it's rare