Empire 18"/24"/30" Vent-Free Slope Glaze Gas Burner, Manual Valve
The Empire 18"/24"/30" slope glaze burner with a manual valve (model numbers VFSM18NAT, VFSM18LP, VFSM24NAT, VFSM24LP, VFSM30NAT and VFSM30LP; NAT for natural gas, LP 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.
A standing pilot with a piezo igniter and a three-position high/medium/low knob keeps it simple: no remote, batteries or house power. It can also be installed as a vented decorative appliance with the damper clamped open.
Key Features
- Slope glaze burner for vent-free Empire log sets
- 18", 24" and 30" sizes, up to 38,000 Btu/hr
- Manual high/medium/low knob with piezo igniter
- No house power or batteries needed
- Lava rock and rock wool embers included
- Vent-free, or vented with the damper clamped open
What to Order With It
The burner ships with two bags of lava rock, a bag of rock wool embers, a valve shield, anchor screws and a damper clamp.
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)
Specifications
| Model numbers |
VFSM18NAT, VFSM18LP, VFSM24NAT, VFSM24LP, VFSM30NAT, VFSM30LP |
| Sizes |
18", 24", 30" burners |
| Type |
Unvented (vent-free) gas log heater, also certified as a vented decorative appliance |
| Input, maximum / medium / minimum |
18": 32,000 / 27,000 / 22,000; 24": 36,000 / 27,000 / 22,000; 30": 38,000 / 27,000 / 22,000 Btu/hr, natural gas and propane |
| Control |
Standing pilot with piezo igniter and manual high/medium/low knob; no house power needed |
| 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": 32" front width, 21" rear width, 14" deep, 17" high; 24": 34" front width, 27" rear width, 14" deep, 18" high; 30": 38" front width, 30" 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": 32" front width, 21" rear width, 14" deep, 17" high; 24": 34" front width, 27" rear width, 14" deep, 18" high; 30": 38" front width, 30" 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: the burner can be installed as a vented decorative appliance with the damper clamped open, using the damper clamp in the hardware pack.
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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.
