Finding Your Perfect Gas Log Set Size

BOWLING GREEN, KY-- The warmth and ambiance offered by traditional wood burning fireplaces has made them a beloved center piece in many homes for thousands of years. However the light roaring of a wood burning fireplace also comes with constant maintenance, ash clean up and disposal, and purchasing wood or manufactured logs as fuel. In the event you have access to your own wood, it will need to be chopped and stored in a dry place for at least 6 months before burning to help reduce fire risks and excessive smoking. Alternatively, gas log sets require less maintenance than their wood burning counterparts while still providing the same warmth and stunning glow.

Vented and ventless gas log sets can easily be installed in a vented firebox or masonry fireplace and often feature ceramic fiber logs. These logs, like the hand painted logs found in our Duluth Forge gas log sets, recreate the look and feel of a traditional fireplace without the mess. Before purchasing your own gas log set though, it’s extremely important to make sure you choose and install a gas log set that is the proper size for your room or home. As fireplaces are traditionally used to heat the room they occupy, it’s vital to have the correct size gas log set for cost-effective heating. If a gas log set is too small for the room, it won’t properly heat it and can increase your utility expenses overtime. Purchasing a gas log set that is too large can result in malfunctions within the unit, thereby potentially increasing your fire risk as well.

Measuring the BTU

Aside from the sizing of your gas log set, it’s also helpful to know the amount of British Thermal Units (BTUs) your gas log set will need to generate to efficiently heat your room. A simple calculation of the BTUs needed can be found by measuring the length, width, and height of your room then referring to a common BTU chart like this one. For a more complex, and customized calculation, multiply the square footage of your room by the BTU determined via your geolocation using a map like the one seen above. For example, if your room is 1,000 sq ft and you live in Kentucky, which has a BTU square footage range of 40, your gas log set will need to generate at least 40,000 BTU.

Measuring Your Gas Log Set

To discover what size gas log set is best for the room you wish to install it in, you will need to measure the size of your firebox in several key places. Specifically, you need to measure the width of the front and the back, the depth of your firebox, and then the height of your firebox. An example of where to measure can be found in the picture above. The measurements collected can then be used to match up with the required firebox dimensions of your desired gas log set. For your reference, we have included some sample sizes of our Duluth Forge Gas Logs Sets here:

1. Duluth Forge 18in. Gas log Set: 20” H x 29” W in front (22” W at rear) x 13” D

2. Duluth Forge 24in. Gas Log Set: 20” H x 28” W in front (23” W at rear) x 15” D

3. Duluth Forge 30in. Gas Log Set: 20” H x 34” W in front (23” W at rear) x 15” D

To get the most of out of your new gas log set, we recommend you have it installed by a certified, local technician. A great gas log set to get you started is our Duluth Forge Ventless Dual Fuel 18in gas log set in split red oak. Capable of generating up to 30,000 BTU to heat up to 1,100 square feet, this gas log set features 8 hand painted ceramic fire logs and a U-Burner chassis that provides two rows of flames to mimic a traditional wood burning fire. Modern features like an LCD screen to clearly display the current room temperature, a battery-operated thermostat remote control, and a well-built black powder chassis allow you to easily and efficiently heat the room to your desired temperature.