As many of you know, I’ve recently moved. One ongoing debate about our new house is what we should do (or not do) about the fireplace in the kitchen. The last owners did some renovations and in the process the original kitchen became the family room and the family room became the kitchen. As such, I ended up with a gorgeous fireplace right across from an island. I love this fireplace. The rest of the house is great too – but the fireplace was a major selling point.

So what’s the problem?

During those renovations, the last owners converted it to gas. That’s right. With the flick of a remote control, you have an instant ‘fire’.

Still, you say, what’s the problem?

Well… I’d kinda sorta hoped that one day I’d be able to try open hearth cooking in my own home… and there’s something about the smell you get from burning real wood. “You have the fireplace in the formal living room for that,” says Pierce, my husband. My response is a weak, “Yes, but….”

If I push, the gas fireplace components can be yanked out and the fireplace restored to its woodburning state. My husband would prefer to leave the gas. I’ve agreed to give it a year (since it’s July, I’m not feeling the desire for a fire yet)…

So what is your experience with gas vs wood fireplaces? Does anyone have any sage advice?