Our direct vented gas fireplace still has an awful smell even after 20 hours of burning off the smell (the manufacturer suggested 6 to 8 hours of intense heat). The installation has been checked and is okay. The fumes are from the coating on the metal. Has anyone experienced this? We are ready to take the whole thing out and try another brand, but this was a well known brand and at the top of the line. Replacing it will be a lot of work and great expense because of the stone work all around it. Is this our only option and can anyone recommend a brand that does not require this burning off period?

Many manufactures coat metal with a oil product so it will not rust in the warehouse but from what you have described your fireplace is not normal.

I would contact the manufacture and be nice but explain something is wrong with this picture. You would like a factory rep who services your area to come out so he can witness the odor and confer with the factory.

Next I would make sure the flames are at the height they are supposed to be. I had a customer that never could get there gas fireplace to work correctly. I took a look at it and no one ever changed it over from natural gas to propane. A propane orifice is so much smaller than a natural gas one. These people has the fireplace dude out many times and the answer was right in front of him because something had to cause the flames to be so high.

Thank you HVC1000 for your good insight and advice on the direction I should now take. It's good to know that you think the product is defective and not just a matter of time before the smell goes away like the company is suggesting. And the height of the flames is something we'll look at too. Much appreciation for taking the time to answer.