Empire DV-215 Direct Vent Natural Gas Heater Logo
Posted on Dec 22, 2008
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Light soot around propane fireplace vent

I have a 4+ year old propane fireplace and today when I was checking the propane tanks level I noticed that the fireplace vent has a black soot above it. What could be causing this?

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  • 3 more comments 
  • kpmasingale1 Jan 12, 2009

    Professional was out and It was propane settlement from the propane tank. Flames were buring normal. No biggie just don't let propane level get that low again.

  • Anonymous Jan 20, 2009

    I have a new ventless propane heating unit and have black soot covering the inside brick wall, filling our ac vents, air purifier, on our curtians and even a black soot film covering products in our cabinets. The dealer replaced the unit, but I have felt ill for a month. Are there any medical symtoms that can be a direct result of breathing htis propane soot for a month?

  • chimp1111 Apr 24, 2009

    i have the same problem. i have a 'gas brick' heater (in wall unit) and began noticing soot. so the problem is my husband waited too long to order more gas? just want to know for sure so i can inform him. if we go ahead and fill up now will the problem resolve itself? i believe the tank is low now. or since spring has kicked in , should i try to burn up that 25%of the gas tank by using the gas in my gas stove cooking?

  • Anonymous Mar 13, 2014

    black smoke stains on vinyl siding beside propane fireplace vent

  • Anonymous Mar 13, 2014

    black smoke stains on vinyl siding beside propane fireplace vent

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1 Answer

Paul Carew

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  • Empire Master 3,808 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 12, 2009
Paul Carew
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Joined: Jul 20, 2008
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Burners burning yellow , in complete combustion , blocked air ways to burner , it needs a service soon as poss

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Black smoke coming from heater vent?
Hi, propane heaters are very well known for Sooting up. If the gas pressure is not correct on the MGV, this will cause the heater to soot up fast. You will need to have the inlet and manifold gas pressure checked at the tank and heater. This furnace has to be cleaned up!! You will need to call out a tech to check the inches of water column.
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Apr 06, 2012 • Heating & Cooling
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I have a black soot on all my walls through the whole house especially the exterior walls. I believe it is caused by my propane fireplace. Im not sure if it is not ventilating properly or what the problem...
Is a Vented or Vent-free gas fireplace? I really suspect it's Vent-free (ventless) as a vented unit, unless the direct vent is clogged exhaust everything, including 85% of the heat out side.

Here are the things that will cause a Vent-free Gas Fireplace to soot.

  • Not having the fireplace cleaned and serviced, at least annually by a qualified technician.
  • Misplaced logs that impinge the main burner flames.
  • Running a ceiling fan at the wrong speed and in the wrong direction while fireplace is burning.
  • Burning scented candles while burning the fireplace.
  • Low Gas Pressure to the burner.
Here are the solutions to the above listed causes:

  • Have the fireplace cleaned and serviced.
  • Check your Owners Manual concerning the proper placement of each log,
  • Run the ceiling fan Counter Clockwise and at the slowest speed. The fan on the side of the switch should be in the UP position for Winter and Down for Summer.
  • Scented candles soot any way. Add the warm moist heat of the Gas Fireplace and they'll soot 50 times worse. The scent is not natural, it has an alcohol base like after shave & cologne. Stop burning scented candles. It has been proven that they greatly contribute to indoor air pollution.
  • Low gas pressure causes incomplete combustion, which causes the burner to soot. Have it checked by your propane provider.
Based on my 15 years in the hearth and home business and having sold and installed hundreds of these appliances, I am will to bet, it's a cleaning and servicing issue or misplaced logs.

Hope this helps you solve your sooting problem. I woud really like to know how it works out for you.
Please let me know at [email protected]

Thanks ... Rich
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Feb 16, 2011 • Heating & Cooling
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My propane fireplace has recently began to produce black soot that is coming out of the fireplace and covering the walls and ceiling. This has never been a problem in the past and I really need to know...
Hi, sounds like you could have an obstruction. Check the entire stack for bird nesting materials or debris. The propane, when it burns, should not produce any soot. My guess is that something else is burning in your chimney stack and if it is blocked, it will come into you room. Once you remove the debris, you should attach some wire mesh around the exit to avoid any heat seeking animals from nesting again. Hope this helps.
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Your range needs servicing.
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I also deal with soot everywhere. I have propane. We do have a chimney that we vent when using. Still soot.
Soot is a sign of too much gas and not enough air. Have your propane supplier make proper addjustments.
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Black soot on glass and black smoke comes out
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Black sot from vent free gas fireplace
Thanks for your question,
your problem is either impingement on your log set, or a product of incomplete combustion, if you notice soot on your logs, then you will need to take them out, clean them, and reinstall them as to not have the flame touching them, you will need to clean the burners as well, make sure nothing is laying across the burners, as this too will cause sooting, as far as incomplete combustion, was this model a natural gas converted to propane or the other way around ? if so who ever converted it, did they adjust the gas valve according to specs? improper adjustment will cause sooting or hooking up a natural gas unit to propane will do this too, I will recommend using (Rutland White Off) to remove any soot from your glass, it works fantastic for this ! any ace hardware will carry it, please do not use windex or any other cleaner on the glass as it will more than likely leave a rainbow affect on your glass once the glass heats up, hope this was helpful to ya, please rate this solution, thanks agai
mr.grzz
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A clue to what could be wrong is that you mentioned it took 10 minutes for the pilot to go out. It could be your gas valve. Get a technician in to check your gas pressure both before the gas valve and after. Have them check it as the water heater is running.
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