Our Company Blog

Custom Gas Fire Pits

There’s nothing like enjoying an outdoor fire during the warm summer months. Whether you’re roasting marshmallows or just relaxing with a glass of wine while watching the sunset, custom gas fire pits allow you to bask in the warmth of an outdoor fire with a gorgeous centerpiece that is completely unique. If you are thinking of installing a custom gas fire pit in your backyard, it is important to consult with a professional to make sure the job is done correctly and safely.

Planning Your Gas Fire Pit

When you work with a professional, you can be sure your fireplace is built in a location that is beautiful, as well as safe. Your professional fireplace technician and contractor will find a place that is free from overhanging shrubbery and trees, as well as any pergolas or other hanging outdoor furniture. By taking careful planning measures before your gas fire pit is installed you will avoid costly modifications down the line.

Installing

Having a professional contractor like those at Beach Stove And Fireplace will make sure everything is in accordance with fire laws in your area. For example, in West Hampton Beach, NY we only sell electronic ignition and push button ignition because match lit fire pits are not allowed in our area. You also want to make sure you get the correct size burner for your fire pit and how you intend on using your pit (cooking, recreational, decorative). We are familiar with the local fire codes in our area and can help you install a fire pit that is both beautiful, as well as in alignment with fire codes. A qualified technician will sell you the products right for your area, for your personal needs and for your budget.

Maintenance

Another benefit to hiring a professional to plan and install your custom fire pit is that you will be able to call them should any maintenance needs arise. When you install a fire pit in your backyard you must make sure it is kept clean and that the stones are all sealed and intact. Additional repairs may be required, especially if you use your fire pit on a regular basis. Having a professional fire pit technician to call can help maintain your fireplace as well as answer any questions that come up.

Additional Fire Pit Tips:

• Be sure to extinguish fire completely after every use.
• Cover your fire pit to protect the stones and keep it dry.
• Never leave a fire unattended.
• Only use your fire pit according to manufacturer instructions.
• Call your professional technician if anything isn’t working properly.

Beach Stove And Fireplace is your one-stop fire pit shop with everything you need to enjoy a gorgeous fire night after night. Our professionals are on-hand to answer any of your questions, as well as help plan your new fire pit. We can help install your new fire pit and make ourselves available to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to start planning your custom fire pit.

Reasons to Avoid Vent Free Gas Products

As the most recent fireplace fad, vent free gas logs have drawn a lot of interest based on their high burning efficiency of up to 99 percent. Companies also emphasize the ability to burn these logs with the flue closed, which only further entices consumers. These impressive features make this product seem like an obvious choice, but in reality, vent free gas logs actually pose some serious hazards.

Vent free gas products use natural gas as fuel and require no ventilation. Rather than utilizing the air flow up through the chimney, or the draft, of a traditional fireplace, vent free fires consume the oxygen in the house. Designed specifically to burn without any type of venting, these logs should not be substituted with any other types of logs for use in a vent free system.

Any time combustion occurs, imperfect burning always results in the production of some type of waste. Even though the vent free gas logs boast a nearly perfect efficiency, they can still leave up to eight percent of the fuel incompletely burned. This incomplete burning produces harmful waste materials, such as carbon monoxide. Fatal in high enough concentrations, the inhalation of carbon monoxide and other fumes is a real threat when using vent free products because the system offers no escape for these gases. In fact, there have been reported claims of aggravated asthma, allergies and other respiratory issues by people living in homes that use vent free gas logs.

In addition to harmful gases, vent free units also produce excessive amounts of water vapor. All types of fires produce water vapor, but because the vent free systems offer no escape, the vapor ends up condensing inside the house. This is evidenced by moisture on walls, floors, and furniture, which can also lead to a variety of problems. Water damage can ruin the walls and furniture, and the home will become uncomfortable humid. Mold growth throughout the house also becomes a valid concern.

For all the claimed efficiency, vent free gas logs cannot be relied on as a source of heat. Marketers promise the production of a lot of heat, but they fail to mention that the vent free units should not stay on for more than a few hours at a time. Burning for lengths of time beyond this recommendation can lead to a depletion of oxygen levels, an increase in toxic fumes, and an increase in humidity.

Another issue is in newer houses, where the airtight build can cause interference with the combustion process. When the house is sealed tight, air cannot enter quickly enough to provide the amount of oxygen needed for the fire to burn and this lack of oxygen will extinguish the fire. Some manufacturers suggest fixing this issue by opening a window, but this defeats the purpose of investing in a vent free system in the first place.

Vent free gas products might sound great in theory, but the problems heavily outweigh the benefits. Rather than investing money into a dangerous and unhealthy vent free unit, consider high efficiency traditional fireplace inserts or direct vent fireplaces. If you live in the area of Westhampton Beach, New York, contact Beach Stove and Fireplace for more information on fireplace options.