Can I Remove The Glass From My Gas Fireplace?

Do you have a gas fireplace and are wondering if you can remove the glass from it? Maybe it doesn’t suit your style, and you want to change the glass but aren’t sure if you can?

Or perhaps you are curious about purchasing a gas fireplace and want to know more? Whatever your reason might be, we have the answer for you!

We know how stressful it can be to purchase a gas fireplace and not be sure what you can or can’t do with it. Before you know it, your fireplace is hardly touched, and you don’t know what is safe to do or not to do. 

Well, no more! Today we are here with the answers you need. Keep reading to find out if you can remove the glass from a gas fireplace and any other factors you need to be aware of. 

Why Do Gas Fireplaces Have Glass?

Before we get into whether you can remove the glass panel from the front of the fireplace (where the flames are seen), let's take a look at why the glass is there in the first place. 

The glass panel is there to keep you safe. Although no actual wood will spit and harm you, the fireplace is still very hot. The glass acts as a protective barrier, ensuring that the heat and the gas stay in the fireplace and not on your hands!

Not all gas fireplaces, though, will come with a glass panel. Instead, they will feature a wire-mesh curtain that we see on wood-burning fireplaces. These work to make the fireplace look more natural and also protect you.

The glass on a fireplace can be extremely hot to the touch and can cause burns, especially for young children and pets who are more likely to touch the glass.

You can have a professional install the wire mesh to prevent this from happening or install a cover that can sit in front of the gas fireplace.

It won’t stop the heat from escaping but ensures that little hands and pets’ tails don’t touch the glass and get burned! They can also be quite stylish and make your fireplace look more realistic than it previously did. 

If you live with pets or small children, be sure to invest in one of these covers to give you peace of mind and ensure that no harm comes to those you live with.

For those without children or pets in their home, you can stick with just your glass cover if you wish. Just be mindful that it will be hot to the touch and can take some time to cool down, even after the fire has been turned off.

Now that we have covered what purpose the glass panel serves on a gas fireplace let's move on and see if the glass can be removed from the fireplace. 

Can I Remove The Glass From My Gas Fireplace?

should not be removed! As we mentioned earlier, your fireplace is designed with the glass panel in mind, and without one, it might not perform as it should.

The sealed combustion unit in your gas fireplace needs the glass there to function properly, so it should not be removed by yourself under any circumstances. 

Although this seems like a blanket policy, there is some leeway here. Depending on the make and model of the gas fireplace, you might be able to remove the glass from the gas fireplace.

For example, some vent-free fireplaces will allow you to remove the glass panel and use the gas fireplace without it.

In these cases, you should ensure you have another cover in front of the fireplace to prevent anyone from burning themselves on the fireplace. 

To find out if you can remove the glass panel from your gas fireplace, consult your user manual.

The information for your specific make and model will be located there, along with instructions about how you can remove the panel safely.

If you have concerns about doing this yourself, you can always contact a professional to do it for you, but be mindful that there will be a charge for this. 

Most fireplace brands reiterate the advice that unless your specific make and model states that the glass panel can be removed, the fireplace will operate safely with the panel removed.

If there is no information about this in the user manual, it's safe to assume that your glass panel cannot be removed from your fireplace. You should leave it installed to prevent voiding the warranty or causing any safety issues. 

Can I Remove The Glass Panel On My Gas Fireplace To Clean It?

When the fireplace is off and cool, you can easily clean the front of your fireplace, including the glass panel. Be sure to check in your user manual if any products cannot be used to avoid damaging the fireplace. 

For those that want to clean the inside of the glass panel, you will need to contact a professional. They will usually clean your fireplace during its yearly service, but you can mention it to them if this has not been done before.

They will safely remove the glass panel and clean the inside of the fireplace, including the panel. They will then ensure that the panel is re-installed correctly so that your fireplace is safe for use again.

Final Word

And just like that, we have come to the end of our gas fireplace journey today! As you can see, the glass should not be removed from a gas fireplace unless the model says that it can be.

While the glass might not be to everyone's tastes, it's better to be safe and have the glass in place than risk any accidents or injuries! 

Remember to contact the manufacturer or customer services directly if you have questions about your specific fireplace model. They will have the most accurate advice for your specific situation.