I have a vent free gas fireplace. It is 8 years old, I can't use it because it has an odor. The best way to describe the smell is like melting plastic. We have burned it for several hours with the windows open, hoping the smell would burn off. But no luck it still smells when used. Does not matter whether the logs are in place or not. My friend says that the smell gives her a headache, I just find it annoying & think something must be wrong with it. Help,DC55

If you cannot figure out what is causing the smell I would call a contractor who deals with fireplaces and let them have a go at figuring it out. The burner might need adjustment.

The price of ventless is eternal vigilance. Don't use it until you can get it checked out.

Dear dc55 in replay to your comment you posted in my reputation section I would like to thank you for the compliment you left as posted below.

((Of course it's accurate. This guy probably writes the trouble shooting guides for the manufacterers. They have the same , or similar answers. Noone can fix this but a "factory trained tech" & this training was only given to the trouble shooters that))

You are correct I have written a few trouble shooting guides for various manufactures. There are guides for service people and there are user guides for homeowners. There is a large separation or difference between the user and service guides and that reason is necessary to prevent the homeowner from killing themselves and others by incorrectly adjusting various settings on appliances especially gas non vented fireplaces like you have.

You were given all the information that I felt necessary to give a homeowner since you have absolutely no experience in repairs or common sense with the issue of your gas nonvented fireplace. These types of fireplaces kill people every year as listed in the national statistics for such items under CO poisoning and I thought you would understand that calling a professional was the safest option for you. The user guide for those units repeats the warnings and tells you to call a professional whenever you need your unit serviced. Professionals have the special tools required to work on your equipment to insure its safe operation and the future of your health while using the appliance. Call a professional you will be glad you did.