Why does my gas fireplace burn differently after being converted between natural gas and propane?
Maggie Valley is propane-only cabin and vacation-rental country at over 3,000 feet, so every hearth here should be jetted for propane — and the conversions that go wrong are natural-gas units moved in and put on a tank without the LP orifice. They over-fire and soot, then a guest walks into black glass. Propane needs the smaller orifice and a lower regulator setting.
Rental units that sit idle, then must light clean
Fireplaces along Soco Road, Jonathan Creek, and Dellwood sit unused for weeks, then have to light instantly and look perfect for the next guest. A unit that was jetted for natural gas and then simply piped to a propane tank over-fires — and at 3,000-plus feet, thinner air changes the combustion mix so it soots even harder than the same mistake would down the mountain. A cabin heater configured for propane from the factory is the right call up here; a converted secondhand box is where the black logs come from. The manufacturer's LP kit resets the orifice, pilot, and regulator.
Pre-season checks, permitted with Haywood
This is one of the coldest communities we serve, so pre-season inspections before the peak rental months are worth it — a mis-converted unit found in September beats one found by a guest in January. Propane connection and conversion are licensed work; we permit with Haywood County and confirm pressure on a manometer. We're 40 minutes west, so plan ahead. Call (828) 545-0525.
Fireplace help in Maggie Valley
We install and service fireplaces throughout Maggie Valley and the rest of Haywood County — just 40 minutes west from our Asheville-area showroom.
Related questions
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