The most like culprits are likely tied to some kind of problem with your setup. Anything from issues with your pilot light, clogged ports on burners, damage to heating components, and thermocouple/thermopile malfunctions can be to blame.
The most common cause for this is an overgassed burner. The burners size (Height) may need to be adjusted small and or the air shutter adjusted. To adjust those pilot lights, look for a tiny ``Set Screw'' on the opposite end of the aluminum tube that goes to the pilot.
Turn the gas off at the fireplace! Verify the pilot flame is out!!! You will have to clean the pilot orifice. How? You take a can of compressed air and blow out the area where the pilot flame comes out. 90% of the time this fixes the issue. (Don't be surprised if you find someting blocking the pilot.)
Thermocouple and Thermopile Issues
They generate a small amount of electricity when heated by the pilot flame, signaling that the pilot light is lit and allowing the gas valve to open. Over time, these components can get dirty or fail, causing the gas fireplace to shut off abruptly or prevent it from staying lit.
There are many possible reasons why the burner will not stay lit - the gas jet may be blocked, the valve may be set too low, the air flow may be restricted, there may be an issue with the pilot light, and so on.
A gas fireplace burner needs to be checked if the burner or igniter is not functioning properly. A defective burner will simply stop the gas supply to the fireplace, and the absence of gas will not allow the fireplace to burn. You'll need to replace the burner or igniter to fix this problem.
The Thermocouple Is Defective
The thermocouple is responsible for sensing the flame of a gas stove. When it is defective, the stove may still start like normal but will then go off once you release the knob.
Your gas fireplace may shut off after a few minutes due to issues like a malfunctioning thermocouple, pilot light failure, blocked venting, safety features triggering, or inadequate gas supply. Identifying and addressing the cause is crucial to prevent unexpected shut-offs and ensure safe operation.
Fireplace thermocouple replacement costs $150 to $350 total.
Without proper stoking, your fire will eventually die out. To keep your campfire going, you need to constantly add fuel and stir up the embers. This ensures that oxygen reaches all parts of the wood, allowing it to burn evenly and consistently.
Your gas fireplace could be turning off for several reasons. The most like culprits are likely tied to some kind of problem with your setup. Anything from issues with your pilot light, clogged ports on burners, damage to heating components, and thermocouple/thermopile malfunctions can be to blame.
Maintain oxygen flow.
If you stack wood too tight, it can snuff out the fire because the air and oxygen doesn't flow between tightly placed wood. You must stack logs somewhat loosely to allow some oxygen flow in between: One or two inches between pieces is typically a good distance.
Common Signs of a Failing Thermocouple
Here are some common indicators: Difficulty Lighting the Fireplace: If you struggle to light your fireplace, or if it takes several tries to keep the pilot lit, it could suggest that the thermocouple is not sensing the flame correctly and is failing to keep the gas supply open.
The most common cause of this is dirty or blocked burners, which is the part that you can easily take off to clean. All the small holes on the burner should be clean and clear, if not then even a partial blockage can lead to the thermocouple not getting enough heat and, the burner won't stay lit.
So you've checked your pilot light and even reset it, but still, it wont stay lit. This can be an indication that your fireplace thermocouple is either bad or worn out. However, if your pilot is lit but the gas fireplace isn't, then there's probably a problem with your thermopile.
Here at Boss Plumbing, we highly recommend you not try to replace the thermocouple on your water heater yourself. Though not a highly complex water heater repair, it nevertheless does involve the use of gas. Thus, if you are unsure about what you are doing, one small mistake could lead to a disaster.
If you're still having issues that the gas fireplace will not stay lit, then the valve needs to be replaced. There are just no other moving parts that can go wrong on this. One thing you can try gas fireplace shuts off after a few minutes: there's a small screw on your valve that regulates the size of your pilot flame.
There's really just one telltale sign of letting you know when the thermocouple isn't working, and that's when the pilot light won't stay lit. If you experience this problem, it's important to have your thermocouple assessed as soon as possible.
Poor ventilation can affect the flame as the vents become dirty or blocked, preventing sufficient airflow. It can disrupt the balance of oxygen and pressure needed for stable combustion, activate safety mechanisms, and lead to incomplete combustion and overheating, all of which can cause a gas fire to go out.
There are certain situations which result in incomplete combustion and therefore ghosting, including: Artificial logs incorrectly placed in a gas fireplace, causing flames to impinge on a cold surface. Gas pressure that is either too low, too high, or intermittent.
The typical lifespan of a gas fire
When properly installed and cared for, most gas fires can provide anything from 10 to 15 years of useful life. Some higher-end models or those used infrequently may last 20 years or longer before needing major repairs or replacement.
The pilot gas tube provides the small amount of gas needed to keep the pilot flame lit. However, this tube is thin and could easily be clogged by dust or debris, which will prevent you from lighting your fire. If your gas fireplace pilot light keeps going out, you may have a problem with faulty pilot controls.
Pull the Heat Pin upwards to fix the issue. Ensure the Heat Pin is clean. Clean with a cloth and water. If you have a pot scrub or scourer available use this.
Explanation: The most likely cause of flames that are lifting off the burner is improper air to gas mixture. Stoves work on the principle of combustion, and for efficient combustion, a proper mix of air (oxygen) and gas is necessary.