Is there a break-in procedure I should follow for a new gas fireplace or insert?
Yes, and it's simple: run the first fire at full flame for a few hours to cure the paint and cook off the manufacturing oils, keep a window cracked and a fan moving air, and expect a hot-paint smell, some haze, and glass that may fog. Repeat over three or four burns and the break-in is done.
The break-in burn, step by step
Turn the unit to its highest flame setting and let it run for a few uninterrupted hours — heat is what cures the high-temp paint inside the firebox and burns off the oils on the metal. Crack a window or two and run the blower to vent the smell. Don't be alarmed by haze in the room or a film on the glass; both are normal for the first burn. Keep people and pets out of the immediate area during that first long fire, since the smell is strongest then.
What to expect and what's fine
A hot-metal or paint odor, a slight visible haze, glass that fogs or films, and maybe a nuisance trip of a nearby smoke detector — all normal break-in behavior. Each burn smells a little less than the last. After three or four good fires, ten to twenty hours of run time, the off-gassing is finished and the unit runs clean and odor-free. Once everything's fully cooled, clean the glass with a fireplace-glass cleaner to lift any film.
One thing that's not break-in
A rotten-egg or sulfur smell is the odorant in natural gas or propane, not curing paint — if you smell that, leave the house and call us. Same if the smell keeps getting stronger or is still strong a week into normal use. We set every new fireplace and insert up right and back it with the manufacturer's warranty plus our workmanship guarantee. Questions on your specific model? Call (828) 545-0525.
Related questions
- Why does my brand-new gas fireplace smell when I run it, and is that normal?
- How long does the new-fireplace smell last, and how can I get rid of it faster?
- Should I open windows during the first few burns of a new fireplace?
- Do I need to do small break-in fires to cure the paint on a new wood stove?
- Will the first burn of my new fireplace set off my smoke detectors?
- How do I light the pilot light on my gas fireplace?
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