How to Light a Gas Fireplace for the First Fire of the Season

The first cool evening of fall always brings the same question to our service line: how do I get this thing going again? Knowing how to light a gas fireplace comes down to one thing, which is the type of ignition system your unit uses. Once you know that, the whole process takes a couple of minutes.

Below, we walk you through every common setup, the quick checklist our factory-trained technicians recommend before the first fire of the season, and how to tell a normal first-fire smell from one that means you should shut it off.

The Quick Answer

If you just need the short version, here it is:

1. Find your ignition type. Look for a wall switch, remote, or app (electronic ignition) or a control knob marked OFF / PILOT / ON behind the lower grille (standing pilot).
2. Check the basics. Fresh batteries in the remote and receiver, the gas valve open, and nothing resting against the glass.
3. Electronic ignition: flip the switch or press ON. The pilot lights itself, then the main burner follows.
4. Standing pilot: turn the knob to PILOT, push and hold it, press the igniter until the pilot catches, keep holding for about 30 to 60 seconds, then release and turn the knob to ON.
5. Watch the first few minutes. A light dusty smell is normal. A rotten egg smell is not.

Your owner’s manual and the lighting instruction plate on your unit always come first. Every manufacturer words the steps a little differently.

Step One: Identify Your Gas Fireplace Ignition System

Most of the fireplaces we service fall into one of two camps. Older units, and some newer models built to run without household power, use a standing pilot that burns around the clock once lit. Most modern units, including theHeat & Glo gas fireplaces we carry, use electronic ignition that lights the pilot only when you call for heat.

Ignition Type	How to Spot It	How You Turn It On	Pilot Behavior
Standing pilot (millivolt)	Gas control knob with OFF / PILOT / ON and a red or black igniter button	Light the pilot by hand, then use a wall switch or remote	Stays lit 24/7 until you turn it off
Electronic ignition (IPI)	No igniter button; a receiver box or control module, often with a battery pack	Wall switch, remote, or app	Lights on demand, shuts off with the fire
Electronic with cold climate mode	Same as above, plus a pilot mode setting on the remote	Wall switch, remote, or app	Can run continuously in cold weather

Not sure which one you have? Pull off the lower grille or louver panel. A visible knob with the word PILOT on it means standing pilot. A small electronic module with wires and no knob means electronic ignition.

How to Light a Gas Fireplace With a Standing Pilot

This is the setup most people mean when they search for how to light gas fireplace pilot flames. It takes a little patience, but it’s simple once you’ve done it once.

1. Turn the wall switch or remote to OFF so the main burner doesn’t try to fire while you work.
2. Open the lower grille and find the gas control knob and the lighting instruction plate.
3. Turn the knob to OFF and wait. Most manufacturers call for about five minutes so any residual gas clears. If you smell gas at this point, stop and skip to the safety section below.
4. Turn the knob to PILOT, then push it in and hold it. This opens gas to the pilot only.
5. Press the igniter button repeatedly until you see the small pilot flame catch through the glass or the viewing port.
6. Keep holding the knob for 30 to 60 seconds. This gives the thermocouple time to heat up and tell the valve it’s safe to stay open.
7. Release the knob slowly. If the pilot stays lit, turn the knob to ON.
8. Use your wall switch or remote to light the main burner.

If the pilot goes out the moment you let go, try once more with a longer hold. If it still won’t stay lit, a dirty pilot assembly or a worn thermocouple is the usual cause, and that’s a job for a technician.

How to Turn On a Gas Fireplace With Electronic Ignition

Electronic ignition makes lighting a gas fireplace almost effortless. When it doesn’t respond, the cause is usually small.

• Replace batteries in both the remote and the receiver. Many electronic systems also have a battery backup pack that powers ignition during an outage. Check that too.
• Confirm the unit has power. Look for a tripped breaker or an unplugged receiver.
• Re-pair the remote if you swapped batteries and it still won’t respond. Ourgas fireplace remote troubleshooting guide covers the pairing steps.
• Give it a few seconds. Electronic systems run a short safety check, spark the pilot, prove the flame, and only then open the main burner. A short delay is normal.

Many Heat & Glo units with IntelliFire ignition also offer a cold climate or continuous pilot setting. On the coldest nights of the season, running the pilot steadily keeps the venting warm so the unit lights more smoothly. You’ll find that option in your remote settings and in theHeat & Glo care and maintenance resources.

Before the First Fire of the Season: A 5-Minute Checklist

A fireplace that sat quietly all summer deserves a quick once-over before you turn it on. Here’s what we recommend every fall:

• Test your carbon monoxide alarms. TheU.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission advises CO alarms on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas, with batteries checked regularly.
• Check the glass. It should be intact, seated properly, and free of cracks. Never run the fireplace with the glass removed.
• Clear the area. Move blankets, décor, and toys away from the front of the unit, and put a safety screen in place if you have kids or pets. Ourfireplace safety guide has more tips.
• Look at the outside vent cap. Leaves, nests, and landscaping can block the exterior termination on adirect-vent gas fireplace. Keep it clear.
• Glance at the logs and media. Make sure nothing shifted over the summer. Logs placed incorrectly can disrupt the flame pattern.

What’s Normal When You Light a Gas Fireplace for the First Time This Season

The first fire of fall almost always comes with a smell, and that’s usually fine. Here’s how to read what you’re noticing.

What You Notice	What It Usually Means	What to Do
Dusty or light burning smell	Dust burning off the burner and heat exchanger after months of sitting	Normal. Open a window and let it run; it fades within the first hour or two
Paint or chemical smell on a brand new unit	Paint and components curing during the first hours of use	Normal. Run it on high with fresh air for a few hours
Thin white film on the glass	Normal residue from the burn, heavier on new units	Clean the glass once cool with a fireplace glass cleaner
Blue flames at the base, yellow tips	Healthy combustion	Enjoy it
Rotten egg smell	Possible gas leak	Do not light or touch switches. Leave the home and call your gas utility from outside
Black soot, dark or lazy flames	Incomplete combustion or a blockage	Shut it off and schedule service

A quick word on carbon monoxide, because we get asked about it every fall. Well-maintained gas appliances primarily produce carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapor, the normal byproducts of complete combustion. Carbon monoxide only forms when combustion is incomplete, such as when too little oxygen reaches the burner or the appliance is malfunctioning. TheEPA notes that keeping gas appliances properly adjusted is one of the best ways to prevent it, which is exactly what a yearly tune-up does.

Gas Fireplace Won’t Turn On? Try These Fixes First

If you followed the steps and nothing happens, work through this list before you call:

1. Is the gas supply valve open? It’s a small quarter-turn valve near the unit. The handle should run parallel to the pipe.
2. Did you check every battery? Remote, receiver, and backup pack.
3. Is the wall switch on? On standing pilot units, the switch controls the main burner, not the pilot.
4. Is the pilot lit? No pilot means no main burner, on any system.
5. Did the unit shut itself off? Many fireplaces have safety sensors that turn off the gas if something seems wrong. Wait, then try again once.

If you’ve tried all five and your gas fireplace still won’t light, stop there. Repeated attempts won’t help, and a technician can diagnose the valve, thermocouple, or control module quickly.

When to Call Our Factory-Trained Technicians

Some things are worth handing off. Call us if the pilot won’t stay lit, you see soot or unusual flames, the ignition clicks without catching, or you smell anything beyond that first-fire dust.

Our team brings over 100 years of combined fireplace experience to every visit. A typical tune-up takes 45 to 90 minutes and includes cleaning and adjusting the pilot, checking valve pressure, testing for gas leaks, and cleaning the glass and verifying its seal. Every service call carries a 90-day warranty on the work.

If you want to know exactly what happens during that visit, readwhat a professional gas fireplace tune-up includes. For a longer view of how regular care saves you from bigger repairs, see our guide tofireplace maintenance and repair.

And if your fireplace is showing its age with frequent ignition trouble, it may be time to look atreplacing an old gas fireplace with a modern electronic ignition model.

Ready for a worry-free season?Request service with Fireside and let our factory-trained technicians get your fireplace ready before the cold sets in.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I light my gas fireplace for the first time this season?

Check your batteries, confirm the gas valve is open, and clear the area in front of the glass. Then use your wall switch or remote for electronic ignition, or light the pilot by hand using the OFF / PILOT / ON knob for a standing pilot unit.

How long should I hold the pilot knob down?

Hold it for about 30 to 60 seconds after the pilot catches. This lets the thermocouple heat up so the valve stays open when you release it.

Why does my gas fireplace smell when I first turn it on?

Dust that settled on the burner over the off season burns off during the first fire. New units also give off a paint smell as components cure. Both fade after a few hours. A rotten egg smell is different and means you should leave and call your gas utility.

Should I leave my gas fireplace pilot light on all winter?

On a standing pilot unit, many homeowners leave it on during the heating season and turn it off in summer. Electronic ignition units light the pilot only when needed, though some offer a cold climate setting that keeps it running on very cold days.

Why won’t my gas fireplace turn on?

The most common causes are dead batteries, a closed gas valve, a pilot that has gone out, or a remote that lost its pairing. If none of those fix it, schedule service with a technician.