Best Gas Fireplace Logs

Gas fireplaces may look the same as traditional fireplaces, but the logs that you need are entirely different.

Before you spend money on some logs that you’re unsure of, ask yourself: are these suitable gas logs?

If any doubt stays in your mind, then you might be in for a dangerous ride. Read our article and feel confident that whatever log you pick is safe for your fireplace and your home.

Now, this doesn’t mean that your “easier than wood” fireplace has come with secret terms and conditions that you weren’t expecting. Your fire will still be budget friendly, clean burning, energy efficient, and safe to use. It simply means that there is one crucial fact that you still need to focus on.

Once you’ve learned what to look out for in a gas fireplace log or have simply bought a pack from our list, you will feel the warmth, comfort, and ambiance of your dream fireplace with peace of mind, knowing that the logs you’ve chosen are safe.

What Do I Look For In A Gas Fireplace Log?

This guide has been written as a step by step feature so you can start at the beginning and work your way down.

If your gas fireplace provider has told you which fireplace logs to use, we first suggest using those ones above any other. However, if you want something that works better, is cheaper, or any other reason, then keep reading. We will help you get the proper logs for your fireplace!

What Vents Do You Use?

Before you start searching, you need to know what vents your fireplace uses. Typically these vents are split into two types, either “Ventless” or “Vented”.

We aren’t going to discuss which one is better, because they both are suitable for different reasons and you already have a fireplace. Therefore, there is no need to make you doubt how good it is.

However, if you aren’t sure which type you have, this might help you.

Vented:

Direct vented fireplaces tend to have a sealed single pane of glass as the viewing area. They might even have clamps or screws that need to be removed to access the flame zone. If not, they might have doors so you can open or close the area without the heat escaping. 

Ventless:

Ventless fireplaces rely on nature, so they often have chimneys attached to them. As a result, ventless fireplaces are fantastic at heating your home, and their flames don’t tend to flicker.

State Control:

If you still aren’t sure what your fireplace uses and you cannot find your manual, then check what your state and local codes allow. Some areas won’t allow vent free fireplaces, so if you live in one of those areas, you’ll know that you have to be using a vented fireplace.

Measure Your Fireplace

Now you know what type of fireplace you have, you need to measure that fireplace to figure out what size of log you’re going to need. This is mainly for aesthetic purposes, but also these measurements are required, so you don’t buy something too big or too small to be effective.

You will need to measure the width of the front of your fireplace and the width of the back. These will be different sizes, so make sure you get both noted down.

You then want to measure the height from the top to the bottom of the fireplace. Again, you need to do this both for the front and back because they will be different again. 

And lastly, you need to measure the depth of your fireplace.

You should have 5 measurements of differing sizes. Keep in mind that this is the total size of your fireplace, and you don’t want to fill the pit up completely with gas logs. So you should use these numbers as a guide.

What Is Your Style?

Now for the fun part. What do you want your fireplace to be like? What kind of atmosphere do you want to create?

You can get gas fireplace logs to look like almost anything you want. Below you will see just that! You can get logs that look like they have burnt white, you can get natural logs that seem to have acorns and nuts nestled between the fires, you can even get logs that look like they are burning bones.

Whatever your aesthetic is, you can find a log that looks like it. But this can also be a bad thing. If you expected your style to be the norm, then you might have a little surprise in store when you go searching.

With so much to choose from, don’t get hung up on the littlest of details. Remember that they are going to get burnt either way.

The natural brown branches and a slightly charred top are the most commonly sought after style of gas log, so if you are happy with that natural and simple aesthetic, then you will soon figure out that your search will be a quick one.

The best gas fireplace logs won’t give off any smoke, don’t produce any ash, and are a safe material to mix with the gas. All of the logs on this list tick these boxes. So all you need to do is pick one which best suits your style!

Most Natural Looking Gas Logs - Natural Glo

Natural Glo are the best gas fireplace logs on the market right now. They are a soft brown, with some reddish touches, a black burn top with some white “ash” sprinkled on top. You cannot get more natural than that.

They are 10 to 15 inches long each, and you can get 10 logs in a pack, so you should have more than enough to fit in your fireplace.

The Natural Glo is made for a gas fireplace in particular, so you don’t have to worry about the material being correct. And when you burn the logs, there are no toxic fumes released by the flames.

Because the logs are individual pieces, you can decorate them in your fireplace to create a scene that you find attractive.

If you don’t know how to place them, then don’t worry, the booklet that comes with the logs gives you 5 designs to choose from. So you can either use those straight from the page or take inspiration from them instead. 

Natural Glo does warn you that you should make sure the fireplace is clean before you add their logs onto the fire. This is so that the organic material you would have otherwise left doesn’t combust from being trapped under the non-burning logs.

Pros:

• Natural Looking
• 10 Individual Pieces
• 10 - 15 Inches Long
• Super Realistic

Cons:

• Expensive 

White and Short Birch Logs - Skyflame 6

This birch inspired log collection is smaller than most. The 6 logs you get in the group are between 7 inches and 8.5 inches long. This makes them great for fireplaces that don’t have a large fire center. 

If you are looking for some logs to go with your current collection, then the small size would be perfect for that too. You can mix them in with darker colors to create a more dynamic and diverse group, or you can have a sea of white logs that look like different trees. 

The beautiful white color doesn’t look like ash but instead gives an otherwise dark area a bit of life and wonder.

The ceramic fiber material is perfect for gas fireplaces, as the orange and red hot spots under the logs belly will shine brightest when the fires join them.

Specifically made for ventless fireplaces, this log collection can also be used in vented fireplaces too. However, the dynamic color of the naturally depicted birch will not be as contrasted in the vents. 

Some customers have said that the logs aren’t very realistic, and to an extent, they are right. So, if you want a set to join your current fireplace logs, then you might want to consider how these white birch logs will stand out.

Pros:

• 6 Individual Pieces
• 7 - 8.5 inches Long
• White Birch Effect

Cons:

• Not Very Realistic

Burnt and Small Charoled Set - Skyflame 8

Another Skyflame set for you to look at, this burnt effect is perfect for adding to your current collection or if you want to create an ember aesthetic.

Adding these charred logs to your set will bring a more profound story into your fire, as if it had been burning for days, and it will soon reach a cozy night.

If you have a small fireplace in a light room, then this dark color will make the fire itself seem more dramatic. You will feel as if you were greeting an eternal flame.

In the Skyflame 8 collection, you get 8 logs from sizes 4.5 - 12.5 inches long, so you can use the natural change in sizes to bring realism to the fireplace.

Again the logs are made of ceramic fiber, which is perfect for gas fireplaces and can create some wonderful orange and red hot spots on the belly of the wood.

The Skyflame 8 was made for ventless gas fireplaces, and they burn cleanly so they won’t produce any ash that might stick to the air around you. 

Some customers have said that the logs had reduced a lot faster than they expected, but this should be expected because the logs are small.

Pros:

• Natural Looking
• 8 Individual Pieces
• 4.5 - 12.5 Inches Long
• Burnt Aesthetic

Cons:

• Quick to Reduce

Curved And Unusual Shaped - Regal Flame

The Regal Flame set is designed to look less like the straight planks of wood you might find at your local store and more like a collection of hand pick logs you searched for in the forest.

The hand painted logs not only have a dark burn painted into the top, but it has been designed in a way that makes the log look like it’s been burnt from a certain angle. This creates a realistic fire damaged wooden stick.

Amongst the logs, you will also find pine cones, adding to the effect of a forest foraged collection.

Another layer to add to the realism of these logs comes from the fake imprint of a grill. This imprint, which has been carved into the logs, is a beautiful layer of details that none of the other companies have added.

If an actual log were to burn, these indents would have been branded into the wood as it slowly decays. 

No other gas fireplace log has this level of detail.

The 18 piece set is big enough to fill your fireplace. With 12 logs which range from 3.54 inches to 8.66 inches, and 6 pinecones, your fireplace will look natural and full, so you don't have to worry about any “empty space”.

Some customers have found that the small sizes are too tiny, but if you use them as an inside gas log and not an outdoor gas log, then these sizes shouldn’t show as an issue.

Pros:

• Natural Looking
• 18 Individual Pieces
• 3.54 - 8.66 Inches Long
• Super Realistic

Cons:

• Very Small

Twig Set - Midwest Heart

This twig set by Midwest Heart is the smallest collection we are talking about today. However, they are designed to be a top layer to any logs you might already have because their strength is not in the size but in the art.

These “twigs” are created through castings of real wood found in nature. Because of this, they are the most realistic set we have. To see them, even up close, you would believe you are looking at the bumps and grooves of an unsanded branch from your nearby woodlands. 

The manufacturer has even added tree rings, so these logs will look like a piece of nature from every angle and not the ceramic material that they actually are. 

Because of the casting and hand painted details, the Midwest Heart is an expensive collection. But the 9 American made logs have come in a range of sizes that will make them perfect for your fireplace. The sizes range from 2.5 to 17 inches so that you will get a natural mix of thick, thin, long, and short. 

Pros:

• Natural Looking
• 9 Individual Pieces
• 2.5 - 17 Inches Long
• Most Realistic

Cons:

• Expensive

Frequently Asked Questions

So you’ve seen the best gas logs on the market right now, but you might still have questions to do with your gas fireplace or your logs in general. Don’t worry. We have you covered.  

Do Gas Fireplace Logs Need To Be Replaced?

Yes, they do! Depending on how often you use them, of course, but also what quality of logs you have used, you should be replacing them every 2 to 3 years.

If you use ceramic logs, the best material for gas fireplaces, then you should be able to get them to ask even longer.

What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Gas Fireplace?

Again this answer varies depending on how often you use it and the quality of the make. However, most gas fireplaces last for 15 - 25 years.

When you reach the 15 year mark, it’s best practice to start an annual check to make sure that nothing has burnt through and your fireplace is properly working.

Why Do My Gas Logs Smell Bad?

Unfortunately, you cannot avoid the smell of gas. As humans, we are designed to recognize when our life giving air has become tainted.

But if you are smelling more than the faint gas smell, then it could be that the fireplace has been burning impurities. 

Check your logs and see if they are starting to become ashy or crumble. If you notice anything that shouldn’t be on the fireplace, then clean it before you start the burning process again. Any ash, dust, or broken ceramic should be removed as soon as you notice them.

The likely cause of the smell is from the gas fire amplifying the scent of whatever impurity has been stuck to your fireplace floor.

Is It OK To Leave A Gas Fireplace On Overnight?

No. This is not safe. If you leave the gas fireplace on, then you risk getting poisoned by the carbon monoxide that will continue to be released. 

As soon as you stop using the fireplace, then you should turn it off to avoid any illness.