Why does my gas fireplace burn differently after being converted between natural gas and propane?
In Asheville, most homes run on the natural-gas main, so the conversion we most often see done wrong is a fireplace carried in from a propane cabin and tied to the main without re-jetting — it burns small, weak, and starved because the propane-sized orifice chokes off the higher-flowing gas. The cure is the orifice and pressure, not a new appliance.
Which way your conversion went decides the symptom
Montford, North Asheville, and Biltmore Village still hold plenty of original masonry hearths, while South Asheville's newer homes lean on clean-face gas — and used appliances move between all of them. Natural gas flows at low pressure and needs a wider orifice; propane carries over twice the heat energy per cubic foot and meters through a smaller one at higher pressure. Bring a propane-jetted unit onto the Asheville main and the flame comes out short and starved. The manufacturer's conversion kit — a resized burner orifice, usually a new pilot orifice, and a regulator set for the fuel — is what makes it burn right.
Normal difference vs. a job left unfinished
A correctly converted unit still won't look identical between fuels, since propane burns a shade hotter and yellower. But black-tipping logs, a roaring flame, or a pilot that keeps dropping out aren't the fuel talking — they mean the orifice, pilot, or pressure never got fully changed. Because our showroom sits right here at 629 Emma Rd, you can read us the model and serial number over the phone and we'll tell you whether a real conversion kit even exists for your appliance.
Permitted and pressure-tested with Buncombe
The gas side is licensed work in North Carolina — a mover or handyman can set the box, but can't legally reconnect the fuel. We pull the permit with Buncombe County, verify the orifice and regulator, and finish with a manometer reading that proves the burner is at the right pressure. If your converted fireplace is burning wrong, don't keep running it sooty — call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Asheville
We install and service fireplaces throughout Asheville and the rest of Buncombe County — we're headquartered right here.
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