Replacing ceramic coals on living flame gas fire

kuepper

The original 'coals' on my fire were 2 rows of 5 and a back row of 4 as per manual. Bits have been breaking off for a few years now so I thought I'd replace them but the model is obsolete. I bought some generic ones at 45mm square but they seemed too big and so I replaced them with 35mm but they're too small. I can't find any sizes in between so I was wondering if it makes any difference if say I put 2 rows of 6 and one row of 5. I wasn't sure if they have any practical purpose other than to visually resemble a coal fire when the gas is lit

grumpy_codger

I don't think there is any real difference, but can't you trim the bigger ones?

Eldi_Dos

The colour of the flame will be a indication of the combustion, yellow flame will be a sign of incomplete combustion and is a danger sign.

@kuepper, make sure you purchase a CO monitor for this room.
Especially as model of fire is obsolete.

nofoollikeold

The "coals" are specifically designed for a particular model.  They seriously affect the flame pattern and combustion characteristics.  Adding non-original ones is dangerous as you can easily get incomplete combustion and the production of Carbon Monoxide, which can kill after putting you to sleep.  

Hard as it is, buy a new fire if you must have a gas fire.  They are generally inefficient as heat providers.  

FreeBear

nofoollikeold said: Hard as it is, buy a new fire if you must have a gas fire.

Preferably, a room sealed model. Then you should have minimal concerns about Carbon Monoxide (that is CO, not CO2).

Albermarle

Eldi_Dos said:

The colour of the flame will be a indication of the combustion, yellow flame will be a sign of incomplete combustion and is a danger sign.

@kuepper, make sure you purchase a CO monitor for this room.
Especially as model of fire is obsolete.

With mine there is a lever underneath, that can make the flames hotter/bluer or cooler/yellower ( looks a bit more authentic).
Surely it would not be there if it was that dangerous to have yellow flames ?
In reality they are a mixture of blue and yellow, even on the 'yellow setting'.

Eldi_Dos

Albermarle said:

Eldi_Dos said:

The colour of the flame will be a indication of the combustion, yellow flame will be a sign of incomplete combustion and is a danger sign.

@kuepper, make sure you purchase a CO monitor for this room.
Especially as model of fire is obsolete.

With mine there is a lever underneath, that can make the flames hotter/bluer or cooler/yellower ( looks a bit more authentic).
Surely it would not be there if it was that dangerous to have yellow flames ?
In reality they are a mixture of blue and yellow, even on the 'yellow setting'.

I am only a layman here,but my thoughts are.

The lever which you refer to is to control the airflow so that you get safer combustion, not a blue and yellow setting.
Have you had your chimmey/flue cleaned on a regular basis? If you have been running with a yellow flame there could be a build up of soot.
If you do not already have a CO monitor in the room, they are cheap and readily available.

Albermarle

Eldi_Dos said:

Albermarle said:

Eldi_Dos said:

The colour of the flame will be a indication of the combustion, yellow flame will be a sign of incomplete combustion and is a danger sign.

@kuepper, make sure you purchase a CO monitor for this room.
Especially as model of fire is obsolete.

With mine there is a lever underneath, that can make the flames hotter/bluer or cooler/yellower ( looks a bit more authentic).
Surely it would not be there if it was that dangerous to have yellow flames ?
In reality they are a mixture of blue and yellow, even on the 'yellow setting'.

I am only a layman here,but my thoughts are.

The lever which you refer to is to control the airflow so that you get safer combustion, not a blue and yellow setting.
Have you had your chimmey/flue cleaned on a regular basis? If you have been running with a yellow flame there could be a build up of soot.
If you do not already have a CO monitor in the room, they are cheap and readily available.

Only a layman as well !

I dug out the instructions and it says;

The aeration lever enables you to choose between a more aesthetically pleasing slightly more yellow flame, or a slightly hotter, slightly bluer flame.

So I think the key word is 'slightly' more yellow. i.e not enough to be dangerous.

I only have it on for a couple of hours in the evening when it is proper cold outside, and I do have a CO monitor close by.

kuepper

Eldi_Dos said:

The colour of the flame will be a indication of the combustion, yellow flame will be a sign of incomplete combustion and is a danger sign.

@kuepper, make sure you purchase a CO monitor for this room.
Especially as model of fire is obsolete.

I've never seen a living flame gas fire with a blue flame, they're always yellow/orange as they're designed for a more realistic appearance albeit they're less efficient but any CO goes up the flue

Eldi_Dos

Bit of a bump I know but hope you will forgive me.

A disquieting news story today about East Dumbarton Council being fined over carbon monoxide leak at a school.
Initial tests with gas sniffing equipment failed to find the leak but luckily a teacher brought in a domestic CO monitor which did.