Superior VRE3236 36" Vent-Free Outdoor Gas Fireplace With Electronic Ignition

Superior VRE3236 36" Vent-Free Outdoor Gas Fireplace With Electronic Ignition

The Superior VRE3236 is the 36" model in Superior's VRE3200 series of outdoor vent-free gas fireplaces, a complete fireplace for a patio, porch or outdoor kitchen. It comes with a charred-oak-style ceramic fiber log set on a stainless steel grate and burner, white stacked or herringbone refractory (pick one above), stainless steel fire screens and 304 stainless steel on the face and every surface exposed to the weather. Battery-powered electronic ignition and the included wireless remote turn it on and off and switch the flame between high and low.

It burns natural gas at 30,000 to 45,000 Btu/hr or propane at 32,000 to 41,000 Btu/hr (pick the gas above), and it needs no chimney or vent pipe: it draws air in through the open face and exhausts through it. It is built for outdoor spaces only, including screened porches and lanais that meet Superior's size rules; see Installation Requirements.

The VRE3200 also comes in 42" (VRE3242). Options include a stainless steel weather cover, a brushed stainless hood that lowers the mantel clearance, a drain pan and gas conversion kits.

Key Features

• 37" wide, 28-1/2" tall opening with a smooth, radiant face
• Outdoor vent-free: no chimney or vent pipe
• Natural gas 30,000 to 45,000 Btu/hr; propane 32,000 to 41,000 Btu/hr
• Battery-powered electronic ignition (four AA) with a wireless on/off, high/low remote
• Charred-oak-style ceramic fiber log set with tall, dancing yellow flames
• Heavy-duty stainless steel log grate and burner, with the gas valve hidden under the refractory
• 304 stainless steel on the face and all surfaces exposed to the weather
• Stainless steel fire screens
• White stacked or herringbone refractory liners and floor
• Approved for screened porches and lanais that meet Superior's minimum sizes
• Optional weather cover, hood, drain pan and gas conversion kits
• Listed to ANSI Z21.97 and CSA 2.41 as an outdoor decorative gas appliance
• 20 year limited warranty on the fireplace body and firebox

What's Included

• Fireplace with white stacked or white herringbone refractory liners and floor, as ordered
• Ceramic fiber log set, packed in a carton inside the firebox
• Stainless steel grate, burner and fire screens
• Electronic ignition module, battery holder and wireless remote
• Two bags of volcanic stone
• Flexible gas connector with a 1/2" shutoff valve
• Installation manual and care and operation manual

What to Order With It

Optional – Weather cover, hood and drain pan:

• Outdoor Weather Cover, Stainless Steel (WC36SL)
• Outdoor Hood Kit, Brushed Stainless (HOOD36ODSL)
• Drain Pan (DPSS36)

Optional – Gas conversion and replacement stone:

• Gas Conversion Kit, Natural Gas to Propane (GCKSLLXNP)
• Gas Conversion Kit, Propane to Natural Gas (GCKSLLXPN)
• Decorative Volcanic Stone (FDVS)

Specifications

This is an outdoor fireplace, so wind changes the flame. If the flame acts erratically, close the screens.

Dimensions and Framing

Fireplace dimensions

Framing

Non-combustible framing is recommended. Measure the framed depth to the finished surface of the back wall, such as cement board. Fasten the fireplace to the side framing through the full-length nailing flanges with 8d nails or screws. A header can touch the top spacers but can't rest on them, the spacers can't be removed or cut, and everything above the fireplace must support itself.

Installation Requirements

• Outdoors only: the fireplace counts as outdoors with walls on all sides but no roof; under a roof with no more than two side walls; or under a roof with three side walls if at least 30% of the perimeter is permanently open. Never use it indoors or in any enclosed space, such as a home, camper or tent.
• Screened porches and lanais: the porch needs at least 96 square feet of floor, a ceiling at least 92" (7'8") high, at least two walls that are screened or open, screens at least 6'8" high and at least 64 square feet of screen. Expect some odor and a little soot; good cross ventilation helps.
• Clearances to combustibles: 1/2" at the sides and back (the nailing flanges can touch the framing), 0" to the floor and 72" to a ceiling. An adjacent wall can be 6" from one side only; leave at least 4 feet on the other side.
• Mantel: with the optional hood, a combustible mantel 2" deep can be 9" above the top of the opening, and each extra inch of depth adds an inch of height, up to 12" deep at 19". Without the hood, add 4": 2" deep at 13" up to 12" deep at 23".
• Facing: only non-combustible materials such as stone, tile or brick can overlap the top and sides of the face; seal the joints with non-combustible caulk. The wall from the top of the face up to the top spacers must be non-combustible. Combustible material can overlap the bottom of the face up to 2" below the opening. Never block the opening.
• Around the house: keep the fireplace at least 12" from a door or window that opens (36" from vinyl windows or siding), 72" below a window that opens, 47" below a soffit (60" for vinyl soffits), 6" from an inside corner and 9" from an outside corner. Local codes may require more; the full chart is in the manual.
• Base and floor: set the fireplace on a solid, level, continuous base. It can sit on a combustible floor and on flat wood, plywood or other hard surfaces, but not on vinyl or other soft floor coverings. Avoid spots where water floods or runs.
• Drainage: rain and condensation collect in the bottom of the fireplace, so the builder must provide a way to drain water from under it, or use the optional drain pan (the framing gets 3/4" taller, and you need room below for a drain line). Treat the enclosure's sides and back as an exterior wall.
• Gas: run a 1/2" gas line along the inside of the right-side framing (a left-side inlet is also provided). The flex connector and shutoff valve come with the fireplace, where codes allow them. Propane must be regulated to 13" WC or less, and a tank under 100 lb may not keep up if this is the only appliance on it. Never connect it to wellhead gas.
• Power: the ignition runs on four AA batteries. With Superior's optional AC power adapter, run a 3-wire, 120 VAC supply to the junction box on a circuit protected by a ground fault interrupter, wired to NFPA 70.
• Logs: set the logs exactly as the manual shows, after the gas line is connected and leak-tested. Use only the supplied logs, and never burn wood.
• Elevation: set up for 0 to 4,500 feet. Above that, check with your gas supplier or a qualified technician.
• Safety: it isn't for cooking. Keep furniture, clothing and flammable liquids away, supervise children, and consider a barrier if young children or other at-risk people are around.
• Massachusetts: installation and repair must be done by a licensed plumber or gas fitter, following 527 CMR 30. The flexible gas connector can't be longer than 36", the shutoff must be a T-handle valve, the fireplace can't go in a bedroom or bathroom, and a working smoke detector is required in the area where it is installed.
• Installation: must be installed by a qualified installer, service agency or gas supplier following the manual and local codes. Superior calls for an inspection by a qualified service person before first use and once a year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can it go indoors?
No. It is listed only for outdoor spaces, including screened porches and lanais that meet the size rules above. Never use it indoors or in any enclosed space.

Does it need a chimney?
No. It is vent-free: air comes in through the open face and the exhaust leaves the same way, so there is no chimney or vent pipe to run.

Does it need electricity?
No. The electronic ignition runs on four AA batteries, and the wireless remote is included. Superior also makes an AC power adapter kit (ACPAK-ECO) if you'd rather run it on house power; that needs a 120 VAC circuit with ground fault protection.

What about rain?
Plan for drainage under the fireplace or use the drain pan, and the stainless steel weather cover protects the firebox between uses. After rain or heavy condensation, holding the remote's HI and LO buttons together for 30 to 45 seconds lights the burner to dry the igniter and burner; the manual has the full steps.

Natural gas or propane?
Choose the gas in the options above; each version is set up and rated for that gas. Superior's conversion kits, listed above, switch it later, and must be installed by a qualified service agency.

Can I put a mantel above it?
Yes. With the optional hood, a combustible mantel 2" deep can sit 9" above the top of the opening, up to 12" deep at 19". Without the hood, the same mantels need 4" more.

Warranty

Superior's 20 Year Limited Warranty covers the VRE3236 against defects in materials and workmanship:

• Fireplace body and firebox: 20 years
• Burner, gas components and gaskets: 1 year
• Logs: 1 year, against thermal breakage
• Remote controls: 1 year
• Parts not listed: 90 days
• Labor: paid at IHP rates for the covered part's warranty period, up to five years

Trim and paint are not covered. The warranty is for the original owner of a fireplace installed in the US or Canada. Full terms are in the warranty certificate.

Documents and Downloads

• Installation and Operation Manual
• Specification Sheet
• Smart Sheet
• Brochure
• Warranty Certificate