Just simply by setting up some ceramic logs, you make your fireplace more realistic.
Here are my top picks for the most realistic gas logs
Here are the most realistic gas logs you can buy in 2024:
- Budget Option: Barton 8-Piece Fireplace Ceramic Logs
- Most Aesthetic: RealFyre 18” Coastal Driftwood Set
- Longer Piece: RealFyre Split Oak Vented Gas Logs
- Best For Small Fireplaces: Stanbroil 10-Piece Ceramic Logs
- Realistic & Aesthetic: Skyflame 8-Piece Ceramic Wood Logs
- Manual Controlled: Duluth Forge Ventless Natural Gas Log Set
| 6 Most Realistic Gas Logs | ||
|---|---|---|
Budget Option | Barton 8-Piece Fireplace Ceramic Logs
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Most Aesthetic | RealFyre 18” Coastal Driftwood Set
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Longer Piece | RealFyre Split Oak Vented Gas Logs
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Best For Small Fireplaces | Stanbroil 10-Piece Ceramic Logs
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Realistic & Aesthetic | Skyflame 8-Piece Ceramic Wood Logs
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Manual Controlled | Duluth Forge Ventless Natural Gas Log Set
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Vented Gas Logs
Vented logs have the biggest advantage of a real, wood-burning fire. However, their biggest disadvantage is that they produce carbon monoxide emissions. So you'd better have a chimney or flue if you want to have some vented logs.
Budget Option: Barton 8-Piece Fireplace Ceramic Logs
- 8 pieces of different sizes
- Pretty affordable
- Burn relatively clean
- Up to 1,832 degrees Fahrenheit
- Do not scratch or scuff the surface of the fireplace
- Get burned & Turn black
Barton 8-Piece Set is a pretty great choice for your budget. The logs imitate wood birch, which looks relatively realistic. They burn quite clean, not leaving too much ash and emissions. The design of the logs also does not scratch or scuff the surface of the fireplace.
Barton 8-Piece Set has 8 pieces of different sizes. The biggest pieces are up to 14 inches. So this set would be perfect for a small fireplace. More pieces of logs allow you to arrange them with your creativity, or just simply throwing them into the fireplace randomly for a natural and realistic setup.
Barton 8-Piece Set withstands up to 1,832 degrees Fahrenheit, which is pretty durable. However, the logs can get burned and turn black - this is not so much of a problem for many people as burned logs may look more realistic.
| Barton 8-Piece Fireplace Ceramic Logs Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 5.5 pounds (8 pieces) |
Size | 14 inches |
Material | Ceramic |
Highlight Features | Up to 1,832 degrees Fahrenheit |
Barton 8-Piece Set imitates wood birch, which looks quite realistic and burns relatively clean
Most Aesthetic: RealFyre 18” Coastal Driftwood Set
- Realistic natural logs
- Hand-painted in exquisite detail
- Warm and aesthetic
- Easy to install
- Being warranted for five years
- Designed to be used with RealFyre burners and valves
RealFyre 18" Coastal Driftwood Set looks like real woods. It has details that are hand-painted exquisitely for a realistic and aesthetic appearance. Moreover, they also look realistic and stylish while burning.
Besides, RealFyre 18" Coastal Driftwood Set would be also a great choice for warmth. The set is also pretty easy to install with a curved, 18-inch shape - just throw them randomly, and it will be great art.
RealFyre 18" Coastal Driftwood Set comes with a 5-year warranty, you can buy the set with 100% confidence. The main drawback of this set is that it is designed to be used with their RealFyre burners and valves. However, I see no problem using these logs with another burner and valve.
| RealFyre 18” Coastal Driftwood Set Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 20 pounds (4 pieces) |
Size | 18 Inches |
Material | Ceramic |
Highlight Features | Hand-painted; 5-year warranty |
RealFyre 18
Longer Piece: RealFyre Split Oak Vented Gas Logs
- Pretty long logs, 24 inches
- Hand-painted in exquisite detail
- Stylish and easy to install
- Ceramic design reinforced with steel rods
- Being warranted for five years
- Super heavy
This is another great gas log from RealFyre. It is also hand-painted exquisitely like the RealFyre 18" Coastal Driftwood Set above. When it comes to RealFyre, you are assured of stylish and aesthetic gas logs. This RealFyre Split Oak is no exception.
RealFyre Split Oak is no exception is made of ceramic reinforced with a steel rod, so the log is pretty durable. Moreover, you’ll be backed with a 5-year warranty.
In terms of drawback, I would say this 24-inch log is super heavy, about 67 pounds. This log is suitable for a large fireplace.
| RealFyre Split Oak Vented Gas Logs Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 67 pounds |
Size | 24 inches |
Material | Ceramic |
Highlight Features | Hand-painted; 5-year warranty; Reinforced with steel rods |
RealFyre Split Oak Log is reinforced with a steel rod, pretty durable and aesthetic.
Ventless Gas Logs
Vents are necessary for any fireplace installation. When you burn gas, the produced exhaust fumes may become very toxic for humans and pets. However, vented fireplaces are becoming less and less prevalent due to the increase of airtight modern homes. In this case, a ventless gas fireplace would be an ideal solution - it is much easier to install. However, it requires another solution for minimizing the exhaust fumes - a special regulator.
So, when it comes to gas logs for a ventless fireplace, they must not reduce any emissions when being burned. However, a downside of ventless gas logs is that they are not as realistic as vented gas logs.
Best For Small Fireplaces: Stanbroil 10-Piece Ceramic Logs
- 7 logs & 3 pine corns
- Pretty affordable & lightweight
- Do not release any ash or residue
- Easy to install & Durable
- Smaller sizes for a small fireplace
- Not so stylish
Stanbroil 10-Piece Ceramic Log Set is my pick for small fireplaces. The set has 10 pieces - 10 logs and 3 pine corns, which are adorable. It is affordable, lightweight, yet durable. More importantly, these pieces burn clean and do not release any ash or residue into the air, perfect for a ventless fireplace.
Stanbroil 10-Piece Ceramic Logs are easy to install. You can arrange these 10 pieces as creative as your imagination, or just simply throwing them randomly for a natural setup. However, these pieces are not so realistic, not so stylish. Although I'm not so impressed with this set, I think it is usable - a good budget choice.
| Stanbroil 10-Piece Ceramic Logs Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 1.85 pounds (10 pieces) |
Size | 3 - 8 inches |
Material | Wood, Glass, Ceramic |
Highlight Features | 7 logs & 3 pine corns; Burn clean |
Stanbroil 10-Piece Ceramic Log Set is affordable, lightweight, and durable with 10 pieces.
Realistic & Aesthetic: Skyflame 8-Piece Ceramic Wood Logs
- Lightweight & small pieces
- Burn realistically & aesthetically
- Durable & Long-lasting
- Leave no ash, soot, debris, or residue
- Perfect for a small ventless fireplace
- Higher price than the Stanbroil Log Set
Skyflame 8-Piece Ceramic Wood Log Set is another choice for a small fireplace. You’ll have 8 pieces of sizes from 4.5 inches to 12.5 inches. These pieces look smaller than the image, so you may want to double-check before making a purchase. This set is also more expensive than the Stanbroil Log Set above.
In return, you’ll have well-painted logs that burn realistically and aesthetically. Moreover, these pieces are pretty durable and long-lasting that withstands a very high temperature. These logs burn clean with no ash, soot, debris, or residue produced. So this Skyflame 8-Piece Ceramic Wood Log Set is a perfect choice for a small ventless fireplace.
| Skyflame 8-Piece Ceramic Wood Logs Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 2.49 pounds (8 pieces) |
Size | 4.5 inches, 7.5 inches, 12.5 inches |
Material | Ceramic |
Highlight Features | Burn clean |
Skyflame 8-Piece Ceramic Wood Logs burn realistically and aesthetically, leaving no residue.
Manual Controlled: Duluth Forge Ventless Natural Gas Log Set
- Manual controlled burner
- Hand-painted realistic logs
- Powerful & realistic flame
- 99.9% burning efficiency
- Built-in pilot oxygen depletion sensor
- Premium choice
Duluth Forge Ventless Natural Gas Log Set is a premium choice - a full set for a ventless fireplace. This set includes 7 hand-painted detailed logs and a powerful burner. There are three options of the logs’ size - 18 inches, 24 inches, or 30 inches, which look stylish and stunning. The flame is up to 30,000 BTUs, which heats up to 1, 100 sq. ft. area. Moreover, the burning efficiency is up to 99.9%, leaving no toxic emissions.
Duluth Forge Ventless Natural Gas Log Set also features a built-in pilot oxygen depletion sensor (ODS). This sensor shuts the heater when CO or lack of O2 is detected
Overall, this is a premium choice. The set costs much higher than the other sets on this list. If you want to invest a bit for your fireplace, this is a great choice.
| Duluth Forge Ventless Natural Gas Log Set Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 50 pounds (7 pieces * 18 inches) |
Size | 18 inches/24 inches/30 inches |
Material | Ceramic |
Highlight Features | Hand-painted logs; Manual controlled burner; 99.9% burning efficiency; Built-in ODS |
Duluth Forge Ventless is a premium set with a 30,000BTU burner and hand-painted logs.
How To Choose The Most Realistic Gas Log?
When choosing gas logs, you first need to aware that there are ceramic logs for ventless fireplaces and ceramic logs for vented fireplaces. You can use ventless logs for a vented fireplace (however, they are less realistic and more expensive), but you cannot use vented logs for a ventless fireplace as they may produce toxic emissions.
Then, you may want to consider the aesthetic aspect of the logs. The size of the logs is also important - you want the logs to fit nicely into your fireplace. Last but not least, durability is a considerable factor - you surely don’t want to replace the logs after just a year of use.
Which Brands Make The Most Realistic Gas Log?
RealFyre
RealFyre is a reputational American brand. They specialize in making direct vents for fireplaces and gas logs for both vented and ventless fireplaces. The biggest advantage of RealFyre's logs is their dedication to details, every detail on RealFyre's logs is hand-painted exquisitely for a realistic and aesthetic look. Besides, RealFyre's logs are also well-known for being durable and long-lasting. When it comes to gas logs, RealFyre is one of the first brands that you should consider.
Skyflame
Skyflame is a long-established brand in Pakistan. It was founded in 1974; up to now, has successfully built a worldwide recognized brand on ovens and stoves. Besides ovens and stoves, they also produce tabletops, washing machines, water coolers, and logs for fireplaces. Affordability and stylish designs are their two main advantages. If you are looking for some decent yet affordable realistic gas logs, Skyflame is the to-go brand.
Duluth Stove Fireplace
Duluth Stove is a premium brand for stove and fireplace products. Their portfolio is quite diverse, from fireplaces setups and logs, gas and wood inserts, stoves, pellet products to saunas and steam, other products and accessories. When it comes to Duluth Stove, you are assured of the highest-quality products with the most aesthetic designs. This is the brand if you are willing to pay more for your house.
FAQs
How can I make my gas logs more realistic?
You can add some vermiculite granules and rock wool glowing embers for an effect of a glowing bed of ashes.
How long do ceramic gas logs last?
When it comes to good ceramic gas logs, you can expect them to last at least 3 years. Some logs can last about 5 years or more.
What do you put under gas logs?
Here are some recommendations: gas log embers, gas log lava rock, gas log pine cones, gas log acorns, etc.
Why do gas logs stink?
Ventless fireplaces tend to smell since the smell of burned ceramic has nowhere to go - such as going up a flue like in a vented fireplace. You can avoid this by purchasing quality ventless gas logs.
Why are my ceramic logs turning black?
It may due to the burner producing uneven flame or due to the quality of the logs. You should check the burner first. If there is no problem, then it is the issue of the logs.
Conclusion
Above are my review of some most realistic gas logs, along with a buying guy. I hope this article helps you choose the most beautiful gas logs for your home.
