Empire 18"/24"/30" Vent-Free Slope Glaze Gas Burner, Intermittent Pilot with Thermostat Remote
The Empire 18"/24"/30" slope glaze burner with intermittent pilot ignition and a thermostat remote (model numbers VFSE18N, VFSE18P, VFSE24N, VFSE24P, VFSE30N and VFSE30P; N for natural gas, P for propane) is a vent-free gas log burner for a wood-burning fireplace or a listed vent-free firebox. A matching Empire refractory or Burncrete log set is required and ordered separately.
Intermittent pilot ignition lights the burner from the included thermostat remote, which also varies the flame, so there is no standing pilot. It runs on a battery pack, with an optional AC adapter.
Key Features
- Slope glaze burner for vent-free Empire log sets
- 18", 24" and 30" sizes, up to 38,000 Btu/hr
- Intermittent pilot: no standing pilot
- Thermostat remote with variable flame, included
- Rock wool embers and lava rock included
- Battery powered, with an optional AC adapter
What to Order With It
The burner ships with the thermostat remote kit, rock wool embers, lava rock and anchor screws.
Log sets for the 18" burner (one required, ordered separately):
Log sets for the 24" burner (one required, ordered separately):
Log sets for the 30" burner (one required, ordered separately):
Optional – Embers, grate, risers, hood and gas line:
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Ember Bed Kit, traditional (EK1)
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Platinum Glowing Embers (PE20)
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Fireplace Hood, Black, adjustable (lowers the mantel clearance) (ELH1)
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Decorative Grate, Black, 24" (DCG24BL)
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Flex Gas Line, 24", Stainless Steel (GF24)
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Log Riser, 2", for the 18" burner (LR18)
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Log Riser, 2", for the 24" burner (LR24)
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Log Riser, 2", for the 30" burner (LR30)
Optional – Power adapter and non-thermostat remote:
Specifications
| Model numbers |
VFSE18N, VFSE18P, VFSE24N, VFSE24P, VFSE30N, VFSE30P |
| Sizes |
18", 24", 30" burners |
| Type |
Unvented (vent-free) gas log heater; vented use needs the R10815 non-thermostat remote |
| Input, maximum / minimum |
18": 32,000 / 26,000; 24": 36,000 / 28,800; 30": 38,000 / 30,000 Btu/hr, natural gas and propane |
| Control |
Intermittent pilot with thermostat remote and variable flame, included; four-AA battery pack; optional 7.5V AC adapter (R10419) |
| Safety |
Oxygen depletion sensor (pilot safety system) shuts the burner off if fresh air runs low |
| Fuel |
Natural gas or propane; field conversion not permitted |
| Minimum firebox |
18": 28" front width, 17" rear width, 14" deep, 17" high; 24": 30" front width, 23" rear width, 14" deep, 18" high; 30": 34" front width, 26" rear width, 14" deep, 20" high |
| Log set |
Required, ordered separately; use only Empire logs made for this burner |
| Manufactured homes |
May be installed in an aftermarket manufactured (mobile) home where local codes allow |
| High altitude |
Above 2,000 ft, the manual says ratings are reduced 4% for each 1,000 ft above sea level; contact Empire |
Installation Requirements
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Where it can go: in a solid-fuel-burning masonry or UL 127 factory-built fireplace, or a listed vent-free firebox; not in a factory-built fireplace whose instructions say it should not be used with unvented gas logs. Have the chimney and firebox cleaned first, and seal any fresh-air vents or ash doors in the firebox.
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Firebox size: the fireplace or firebox opening must be at least 18": 28" front width, 17" rear width, 14" deep, 17" high; 24": 30" front width, 23" rear width, 14" deep, 18" high; 30": 34" front width, 26" rear width, 14" deep, 20" high. With glass doors, use the door frame opening as the front width; the doors must be fully open whenever the logs burn.
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Room size: the room must be an unconfined space of at least 50 cubic feet per 1,000 Btu/hr of input of all gas appliances drawing air from it, or extra combustion and ventilation air must be provided as the National Fuel Gas Code describes. Vent-free heaters are for supplemental heat, not as a primary heat source.
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Bedrooms and bathrooms: an unvented heater over 10,000 Btu/hr may not go in a bedroom or bathroom, so this burner cannot. Massachusetts prohibits unvented gas heaters in bedrooms and bathrooms.
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Clearances: the sides of the fireplace opening at least 6" from any combustible wall; a ceiling at least 41" above the opening.
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Mantel: non-combustible material must extend at least 12" above the opening, or 8" with the optional ELH1 hood. A combustible mantel must meet the mantel chart in the installation manual.
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Vented use: vented use requires a non-thermostat remote (R10815) in place of the thermostat remote, per the manual and price book.
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Media: rock wool (glowing embers) goes on the front of the burner, never over the large burner ports; lava rock goes on the firebox floor only, never on the burner or logs. Use only Empire logs made for this burner, placed as the log set manual shows.
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Fuel: order the model for your gas; field conversion is not permitted.
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Installation: must be installed by a qualified installer per the installation manual and local codes, with the burner anchored to the firebox floor. In Massachusetts the installation must be done by a licensed plumber or gas fitter.
Downloads
Warranty
Empire limited warranty, from the warranty section of the installation manual:
- All components, except remote controls, thermostats, accessories and replacement parts: 5 years parts and labor
- Remote controls, thermostats, accessories and parts: 1 year parts
The warranty applies to the original purchaser. Full terms, including what is not covered, are in the warranty section of the installation manual.
