Vented RealFyre Gas Fireplace Burners, Valves and Ceramic Logs.

There are three different types of gas fireplaces that are available among RealFyre models by Robert H Peterson company. These are the vented, vent free and the new contemporary alternative models with fire glass and fire shapes. Within each of the different types of gas fireplaces there are a number of different options available.

The vented gas fireplace styles are the charred series, designer series, the classic series and the contemporary gas fireplace alternative series. The different groupings are defined by the ceramic log appearances, which are steel rod reinforced and hand painted. For instance there is a designer oak log, a charred oak log and a royal English oak. There are three main types of burner that are used within the vented gas fireplaces and these are the G45, G4 and G46.

The G4 burner is the very versatile original gas fireplace burner and it has a high btu capacity. It is available in a range of different sizes up to sixty inches. This burner is designed to give a realistic glow and tall flames.  The G4 gas fireplace burner has a rectangular pan with a single pipe burner mounted along the center of the pan.  Silica sand, lava rocks, crushed fire glass or vermiculite is poured into the pan covering the pipe burner.  Above the burner the log grate supports the ceramic gas logs.  Flames do not rise matching the straight line of the pan and pipe burner because the sand, rocks, vermiculite push the gas around into more realistic patterns as the flames lick through the logs above.  This burner is compatible with all of the control systems on RHP systems. There is a range of different options that are available with this burner, and it is possible to adjust the height of the flame. There are also remote options for electronic pilots.  

The G45 burner is designed to accentuate the embers of the log set and the flame at the front of the vented gas fireplace. This style of burner is compatible with most of the Real-Fyre controls and log styles. The controls on this burner are pre assembled at the factory and these burners can be used for both propane gas and natural gas. This burner is able to create a realistic looking ember bed in the fireplace. These burners are available in sizes ranging from twelve inches to sixty inches in the same sizes and configurations as the G4 fireplace burner.  The G45 burner is identical to the G$ burner except a second burner tube parallels the main burner tube in the fireplace pan.  Called a “T” burner a small tube attaches perpendicular to the main tube and then branches off in both directions.  The “T” burner ports are pointed forward so the extra burner primarily creates smaller flames and the front of the fireplace.  The effect is more of a layered flame pattern with smaller flames among the lower, front ember bed and the main burner flames rising tall in the center of the fireplace above the logs. These burners allow options for a remote on/ off control, variable height of flame and also the option for an electronic pilot remote for on and off.

Finally, there is a vented gas log fireplace burner for specialized fire boxes that is the G46.  While the overall shape of the fire pan on a G4 and G45 burner is rectangular the G46 shape is a trapezoid that matches the footprint of the fireplace fire box.  Typically the floor of a fireplace is wider at the opening and gets smaller towards the back of the fireplace box.  The back of the G46 burner is narrower than the front of the burner pan.  The actual burner design is of a G45 with one main burner and two extra burners that make up the ember bed “T” burner.  The front pan is wide and the back of the pan is smaller which means there is a smaller burner and less BTUs used in a G46 than in a G45 but the shape means more flame to match the actual inner width of the fireplace.

There are various ways that the logs are displayed and this will depend on the style of fire as they are all different.  What is much more convenient with a vented fireplace is that the logs can be arranged and rearranged at will. The logs are designed to mimic real wood including oak, red oak, birch, hickory and cedar.  Because ceramic logs will be in the flames and ceramic conducts heat effectively the logs are reinforced with steel rods so the constant heat and cooling, expanding and contracting does not weaken the structure.

There is a range of different valves that are available including manual, remote, electronic ignition and also variable remote. It is possible to get and of the RHP RealFyre gas log fireplaces with any valve.  A manual fireplace valve will operate like the valve on a gas barbecue grill.  A control knob determines a high/low setting and a standing pilot stays ready for the gas flow.  Standard remote control valves also have a standing pilot and a high/low control knob.  However the remote transmitter determines on and off.  The high/low is set manually with the control valve and the remote is used to turn the fireplace on and off at the height pre-set with the control valve.  Variable flame valves have a standing pilot and a secondary control valve but when the “on” button is depressed on the transmitter the knob will turn electronically.  As the on button is pressed more and more gas will flow catching the standing pilot and lighting the fireplace.  For lower flames the “off” button is pressed on the transmitter and each push of the button lowers the flames again and again until the fireplace is off.  

An electronic ignition is the only valve that does not have a standing pilot.  The electronic ignition lights the pilot, holds the valve open until the thermocouple creates and conveys a milli-volt charge to hold the valve open.  Once the valve senses the heat on the thermocouple to open the valve with the magnetic charge the electronic ignition will stop clicking and sparking.  At this point the fireplace is controlled with a variable transmitter and receiver.  Although the electronic ignition is very expensive it is a very popular valve.  The button is disguised as a pine cone which hides the bulky electronic valve.  Not only is the electronic valve attractive the non-standing pilot makes most consumers feel safer than having a standing pilot in the fireplace.

The ventless gas fireplaces that are available include the contemporary burner system, G18 system, G10 system, G9 system and also the G8 vent free gas log. The contemporary alternatives include the Fyre Gems, Geometric shapes or stones, G21 contemporary burner system and also the Fyre glass.