Is it safe to burn wood in a fireplace that has a gas log lighter pipe?
Yes — that's exactly what a log lighter is for. That perforated pipe under the grate is a fire-starting aid, not a gas log set: it runs for a few minutes to get the wood going, then gets shut completely off while the wood burns on its own. It's safe as long as the valve seals tight, the pipe isn't corroded, and it's matched to your fuel.
A log lighter is not a gas log set
People conflate the two constantly, and the safety rules are opposites. A gas log set is the fire — an appliance that runs for hours. A log lighter is a bare pipe with holes drilled in it, meant to burn for the few minutes it takes real wood to catch, with the damper wide open, and then be turned fully off at the key valve. They're common in masonry fireplaces built from the '60s through the '90s along the Asheville and Hendersonville gas mains, and used as intended, they're a genuinely handy piece of hardware — no more crumpled newspaper.
What makes an old log lighter risky
Three things, in the order we find them. Corrosion: decades of ash, coals, and moisture eat at the pipe, and a compromised pipe throws flame where it shouldn't. Valve wear: a key valve that no longer seats fully can weep gas into a cold firebox between fires — if you ever smell gas near the hearth, leave the house and call. And fuel mismatch: log lighters are a natural-gas device, and propane versions are restricted nearly everywhere because LP is heavier than air and pools in the firebox instead of drifting up the flue. If your home switched to propane somewhere along the way — plenty in Fairview, Candler, and Brevard have — don't touch the old lighter until it's been evaluated.
Worth a check before burning season
A leak check on a log lighter is quick work for a licensed gas contractor, and in North Carolina that's who the law says should touch it — never a DIY repair. Some customers have us test and keep theirs; others have us cap the line and retire it. Either is a fine answer. Call (828) 545-0525 and we'll make sure yours is the convenience it's supposed to be, not a surprise.
How we can help
Related questions
- Is it safe to burn wood in a fireplace that has gas logs installed?
- What should I do if I smell gas near my fireplace?
- Is propane more dangerous than natural gas for a fireplace?
- Where is the gas shutoff valve for my fireplace, and how do I turn it off in an emergency?
- Do I need a screen in front of an open wood fire to stop sparks and popping embers?
- Can a gas fireplace cause carbon monoxide poisoning?
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