Our “EASY” Safety Control Systems provide convenient lighting and safety shutdown in the event of a gas interruption or flameout. The three main categories use a common valve body, which allows for conversion at a later time from one type to another. For example, you could purchase a Manual Control (“ME”) and upgrade it later to the Variable Flame Height Control (“RE) functionality with an upgrade kit. Please view photos at https://rasmussengaslogs.com/burner-style/lighting-controls/

All options in our new “EASY” Safety Control System have a standing pilot. Besides convenient lighting (the fire is already present to light the main burner), they provide safety shutdown in the event of an interruption in the gas supply or a flameout. In such event, the thermocouple cools down, de-energizes the valve and causes it to close, which shuts down the flow of gas to the burner. If you use natural gas, this is not a big issue if your damper is open (which it should be whenever burning a vented gas log set), as natural gas is lighter than air and will vent up the chimney. Propane, however, if heavier than air and will pool at the floor level, creating the potential for explosion and fire should the collected propane reach an ignition source.

The pilot is lighted in the same manner for all control types. You press and hold a knob which allows gas to flow to the pilot. You light the pilot with a match and continue to press on the knob while the thermocouple heats up. Once the thermocouple is hot enough, the pilot flame remains lighted when you release the knob. All of this takes between 30 seconds and 3 minutes, depending on how much air has been trapped in the pilot tubing.

We offer three main categories of Safety Controls within the EASY System:

1. Variable Flame Height Remote Control (RE or RMC1E) - you control the ON, OFF and Flame Height remotely with a handheld transmitter. The operation of the flame height adjustment is similar to the volume control on your TV.
2. Remote Ready (SE or RPK3E) control - you operate the ON and OFF function of the valve with one of the following four remote devices. The flame height may be adjusted manually with the same knob used to light the pilot. The receiver resides in the fireplace (near the front corner in the path of cooling air) and requires 4 – AA batteries to power the latching solenoid at the valve. Option item “RH2” is a ceramic log house in which you place the receiver to protect it from heat and to disguise it.
   1. Wireless Hand-Held Transmitter with Thermostat function (THR-2R) – you can push buttons to turn the unit ON and OFF, or set a temperature (as measured at the location of the transmitter) at which the unit will turn ON and OFF. Battery operated
   2. Wireless Wall Switch (WS-2R) – flush mounted, battery powered switch you press to turn the unit ON and OFF. No wires to string between gas log set and switch, as is required for millivolt-type systems.
   3. Wireless Wall Thermostat (TS-2R) - flush mounted, battery powered, you set a temperature (as measured at the location of this thermostat) at which the unit will turn ON and OFF. 
   4. Wireless Wall Timer (WT-2R) - flush mounted, battery powered timer with 30, 60 and 120 minute settings. The unit will shut off after the time you have selected has elapsed. No wires to string between gas log set and switch, as is required for millivolt-type systems.
3. Manual (ME or SPK3E) control, you light the gas log burner by turning a knob. You adjust the flame height by rotating the knob to a position between PILOT and ON.
   1. can be upgraded in place at a later time to either theVariable Flame Height Remote Control or Remote Ready and choice of remote device with the purchase of Upgrade Kits (RE-UP1 or SE-UP1, respectively).

All of the controls are installed in the firebox, near the burner but to the side and close to the front of the fireplace, where it is in the path of cooling air that is drawn into the fireplace. Locating the valve in the rear of the fireplace may be more aesthetically desirable, but this is the hottest part of the firebox (think "oven") and will result in heat damage to the valve, which is not a warrantable condition.