Whether it is a fireplace, or a stand alone "stove" for home heat, I was wondering if there is one that can use natural gas when you want to, and say you wanted to save gas, and you wanted to burn wood the old fashioned way. Is there a unit that gives you the option?

If not I may just go wood only, good back up heat if the power/gas was not an option.

I've never seen on that was convertible by design, but since you can get gas 'logs' for a regular wood fireplace, i would imagine it would be possible.

Yes there is. My buddy has one. Look up duel fuel fireplaces.

quote Originally posted by Phranc: Yes there is. My buddy has one. Look up duel fuel fireplaces.

The fuels fight each other????

Yes, my B-I-L has one as well, propane and/or logs fire place. It's a pretty high dollar unit, but keeps his diningroom, and large family room pretty warm, even in sub freezing weather.

quote Originally posted by maryjane: The fuels fight each other????

Oooops. Its part of my dyslexia problem........yeah that's it, that's what happened.

2.5, If you can't find a dual fuel fireplace, think very carefully on a wood burning fireplace or stove. Wood prices in Owatonna are probably at $275 for a true cord. I paid about $400 for a true cord up in in the Twin Cities. It's not really economically feasible unless you cut your own wood and then you have the investment of the saws and splitters and need access to a full sized truck.

I love my wood burning fireplace. It's for enjoyment, though. Even at that, 1 fire light 4 times a week from 5pm-bedtime and I burned a full true cord of wood a winter. And, wood burning fireplaces are MESSY!

My small gas burning ventless fireplace in the family room is great for quickly heating up our familyroom addition(16x20) that is normally heated by electric heat.

[This message has been edited by aceman (edited 10-02-2008).]

Ya, its more for a source of heat if the power is out or no nat gas for a period of time, emergency winter type of thing just on case. Plus you can cook on top of a stand alone wood stove. We'd use it once in a while for just sitting by its warmth -the romance of it.
I suppose there'd be ashes to empty and wood to carry and store. I have a Sonoma, not full size. I know friends that I can get cheap wood from but they are 150 miles away, so theres the toss up.
I figured ya a gas fireplace would be easy, but I have no source of emergency heat, kill 2 birds with one stone ya know?

When I had to redo my roof a few years ago, I took my chimney out. My homeowner's insurance immediately went down almost $300/year because I no longer had a wood burning (or solid fuel) stove in the house. Be sure to add that into whatever cost you're figuring.

John Stricker

quote Originally posted by 2.5: Ya, its more for a source of heat if the power is out or no nat gas for a period of time, emergency winter type of thing just on case. Plus you can cook on top of a stand alone wood stove. We'd use it once in a while for just sitting by its warmth -the romance of it. I suppose there'd be ashes to empty and wood to carry and store. I have a Sonoma, not full size. I know friends that I can get cheap wood from but they are 150 miles away, so theres the toss up. I figured ya a gas fireplace would be easy, but I have no source of emergency heat, kill 2 birds with one stone ya know?

Probably too late this year, (winter is almost here) since all the oak trees that are down are too green to burn this winterr, but if anyone comes my way this year or early next year, they can have all the firewood they want--free.

Thanks everyone, Ya if I go the inexpensive route (usually do) it'll be one of these with a black pipe running out the wall. This would be in my basement, which is finished. I'd have to consider if the city requires a brick wall behind it too, or under it.

Examples: