Converting wood Stove to vent/ventfree gas stove?

[JGREGORY]

My first use for this new forum. And Now that I think about it it sounds like a good idea to eliminate the BS.<br /><br />So here it is. Can I convert a Vermont Castings wood stove to either vented or (would prefer this!)vent free Natural gas stove? In other words can I buy the vent free gas logs and put them into the wood stove? <br /><br />While wood is not difficult to come by here trying to store and put in a chimney would not be worthwhile. However, I do have a gas stub not being used that I could connect to the stove for this purpose. The stove would be placed in our sunroom which is being updated into a family entertainment and bar room, Wide screen tv, surround sound, refrig, bar,Etc....<br /><br />Any help or comments greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[oddjob]

Re: Converting wood Stove to vent/ventfree gas stove?

I dont see why not. If its vent free its vent free. All you need is a place to place the system which as you say you have.

 

[Mike Langianese]

Re: Converting wood Stove to vent/ventfree gas stove?

I agree with Oddjob that it is probably OK to use vent free logs in a stove. <br />I don’t have any "facts" to back this up but I have had home inspectors tell clients who are buying a home with the vent free logs to vent them. The inspectors were talking about combustion bi-products being unhealthy, not deadly but not good for kids etc. You may want to do some research on the vent free logs themselves.<br /><br />Mike

 

[gss036]

Re: Converting wood Stove to vent/ventfree gas stove?

Do some serious research on this subject. The stove will hold a lot more heat and you will need to consider where the valves are located. Might get them over heated if they are inside the stove and cause an explosion. I made some inquires about using a gas log inside my Kent fireplace insert and was told by the company selling them that the building code would not allow it and I needed to install another insert. Needless to say, I am still burning wood.

 

[bubbakat]

Re: Converting wood Stove to vent/ventfree gas stove?

go to lowe's they have a conversion kit for this very same thing that I have been looking at

 

[JGREGORY]

Re: Converting wood Stove to vent/ventfree gas stove?

Thanks for the responces. I am still up in the air and am going to check with the manufacturer Vermont Castings.<br /><br />Bubba I was at Lowes and that was where I got the Idea at. I guess what I am more worried about is two things.<br /><br />1. is there going to be enough O2 getting to the burner to have complete combustion, so ther is less of a chance of harmful by-products.<br /><br />and 2. How hot does it really get (wood only put out a certain amount of heat and ng from what I have read does put out more) and can the stove take that kind of heat. I have a vent free Fire place I installed in the dining room, max BTU is 20000 I think it might be 30k would have to look it up and it heat a majority of the house but the sun room is a converted porch and is not insulated as well an only has 2 7' base board pipes that run off the furnace. With the fireplace running the furnace never turns on so it tends to get slightly chilly out here.

 

[bubbakat]

Re: Converting wood Stove to vent/ventfree gas stove?

I see what you are saying there I converted mine to gas but it is a 1/4 steel stove and has 2 inch fire bricks running on all the walls in it and the bottom to so didn't have the to much heat problem. My daughter has a sun room she heats to and she uses a small ventless gas heater so can't help much here.<br /> what ever you do keep us posted in case I might want to try that to on my poarch

 

[DC698]

Re: Converting wood Stove to vent/ventfree gas stove?

Hi JGregory, I'm actually a certified chimney sweep in Mass. (Kind of funny to see a question on stoves in the boat forums! haha) As far as putting the gas logs into the vermont castings stove, the stove is only UL listed as a solid fuel burning appliance for wood or coal (Some vermont casting stoves are wood/coal or just wood). Putting the gas logs into the stove would probably overfire the stove too quickly and COULD cause it to warp and break down the fire brick inside very rapidly.. basically it would heat the inside up to quickly. There are many direct vent systems out there now.. gas fireplace direct vents, gas stove direct vents and pellet direct vents...at reasonable prices. These stoves are built to be side wall vented by UL listings and NFPA 211 standards, as the woodstove is not able to side wall vent correctly (Needs a natural drafting chimney). Let me know if you would like more info on the gas log or stove installations.<br />-Derek

 

[aspeck]

Re: Converting wood Stove to vent/ventfree gas stove?

Sounds like DC prefers the direct vent units. So do I. I am personally not a fan of ventless, too many by-products and moisture into the air. Since you are heating a sun room, lots of windows in a cold climate, you will have lots of moisture condensing on those cold windows. Remember, a lb of burning natural gas releases about a gallon of water into the air.<br /><br />I was going to save some money, had a wood fireplace given to me if I wanted it, and was going to convert it to ng. What I learned was that it was going to cost me more to convert than to get a new unit. The corner fireplace that I got from Lowes is really looking nice - much nicer than what was given to me. I am happy with my decision.

 

[JGREGORY]

Re: Converting wood Stove to vent/ventfree gas stove?

Ok Thanks DC, That answered my question no Conversion. Thanks, I would leave it wood BUT I do not have any place to run a chimney. Maybe I will put it out in the garage.<br /><br />Aspeck, what I found out was that the vent free fireplaces are very clean and efficient provided they are maintained. The moisture in the air is not a problem as it save me from haveing to by a humidifier. The house gets very dry with all the wood in the hose sucks up any moisture around. I also have a co detector not more than 8' from the fireplace. Just for the combustion issue. Again the chimney issue. The house is big with a lot of floor space I believe it is 1500 sq feet on the first floor. The existing chimney is no good and hasn't been used in years. I will remove it when we put the 2nd floor addition on.<br /> <br /><br />Everbody Thanks for the imput. Will be going back to Lowes later and buy the gas freestanding stove model or something similiar from somplace.

 

[chads15]

Re: Converting wood Stove to vent/ventfree gas stove?

You may want to look into Pellet Stoves. Low maint. Lots of heat and a perdy flame to look @. Parents have one. 5 years old. talk about a work horse!

 

[JGREGORY]

Re: Converting wood Stove to vent/ventfree gas stove?

Thanks for the advice chads But i still would have the chimney problem. Never would have thought that you could have too many windows. And God forbid we remove one.

 

[backdraft]

Re: Converting wood Stove to vent/ventfree gas stove?

Vent free will deprive the room of oxygen and raise the levels of Carbon monoxide. Your canary will die first, your children will go to sleep never to awaken again and you will get severe headaches and probably die if the instinct to survive is great enough.. Been there , seen that. A Captain of 30 years on a Major Fire Dept. nevjb

 

[backdraft]

Re: Converting wood Stove to vent/ventfree gas stove?

I missed a word, "You will probably not die if the instinct to survive is great enough." I have also called the coroner on some . Why subject your self to such a tragedy for the cost of a vented system. nevjb

 

[ED21]

Re: Converting wood Stove to vent/ventfree gas stove?

Chimneys can be relined by putting in an inflatable insert then pouring in concrete(professionally done).<br />Insulated metal flues that are nearly zero clearance to combustable material like wood rafters & studs are available.<br />DC or other professional stove people should have more answers & alternatives.<br />Direct vent gas fireplaces/stoves go right through the wall to the outside w/ no chimney required.

 

[SoulWinner]

Re: Converting wood Stove to vent/ventfree gas stove?

Sooo....watcha gonna do with the old stove?? I am thinking of putting a wood stove in my fire place. Wood stoves are way more efficient at heating a home than a fire place. I actually heat my entire home with my place all winter long

 

[radar750]

Re: Converting wood Stove to vent/ventfree gas stove?

jgreg, What you are trying to do could be fatel,<br />in Mass there are NO permanant unvented room heaters allowed,you can have them on a temp basis say for a construction site up to 30,000btu<br />Some states do allow them but they must have and ECO cut out through an oxygen depletion sensor. If you do try to adapt it get good and I mean very good Battery opp carbon monoxide detector.<br />Vermont Castings does make a gas log stove. Good luck

 

[JGREGORY]

Re: Converting wood Stove to vent/ventfree gas stove?

First, let me say thank you for everybodys concern. Very cool <br /><br />Second in reply to nevjb, 10 years emt /rescue and 5 years Firefighter myself, I know exactly what your talking about. So let me set some things clear. I all ready have one vent free system gas frieplace I installed myself. It is very clean burning and it only runs when we are up and about NEVER leave it in at night! I have a co and smoke detector not more than 8' (Hardwired into the house electrical w/batt backup) from the fireplace have yet to even get a reading on the co detector. 2. the House Is a 1911 Victorian, Drafty as he!!, even with the storm windows so I am getting fresh air in the house. 3. They are legal in Jersey with certain btu rating for different areas of the house. I am well under. The fireplace was installed more for ambiance than use but it does do a good job of heating the living spaces. Max output is 20k btu's.<br /><br />SoulWinner, Will most likely put the wood stove into the garage for supplemental heat. Planning on a major renovation to the garage to make it more work friendly.<br /><br />Again thanks to all. And for the concern, Rest assured I am in no hurry to meet my maker. And another FYI the Admiral was a firefighter for 20 years and made Asst. Chief. She was also my lieutenant in the Rescue Squad when I was Capitan. Safety was a big factor when we were installing. <br /><br />Have a Safe and Happy Holiday

 

[DC698]

Re: Converting wood Stove to vent/ventfree gas stove?

Jgregory, as others have mentioned, I to am not a fan of the vent free appliances. If space is limited in the room you are looking to put the appliance you can side wall vent most appliances except wood and coal. Pellet stoves are also a great choice if you dont want to go gas. They can be side wall vented with minimal space (as with gas) and a bag of pellets can burn in the pellet hopper for about 48 hours. (Older model pellet stove hoppers had a tenedency of jamming..but they do have a saftey switch on them to shut off if it happens). If you wanted to do a natural drafting chimney and space allows it, you can put up a Metal-Bestos stainless double wall chimney up the side of the house or through the ceiling relatively easy. These chimney's just call for a min. 2" clearance from combustibles and will last a long time. Let me know if you need anymore info on any appliances or chimneys. As you stated being an EMT/Firefighter you know all too well the dangers of CO2 poisonings. I've seen too many blocked gas flues or improperly installed furnace smoke pipes and chimneys with potentially fatal results. (Now i'm getting off the subject!! haha)

 

[Topmason]

Re: Converting wood Stove to vent/ventfree gas stove?

jg,<br />As a builder of masonry chimneys and fireplaces for many years, I say NO WAY should any fuel (solid or gas) burning appliance, be ventless.<br /><br />There's always gonna be some undesireable byproduct of combustion that needs to be routed OUTSIDE.<br />Here in Washington, we have to provide combustion air to any fireplace or wood stove we install. The appliance can NOT utilize interior air to function.