Best Options for Converting a Gas Fireplace to Electric Start

If you want a gas fireplace to light with a switch or button, you usually need a compatible electronic ignition system—not an electric fireplace or a charcoal lighter. Of the products listed, the only fire-pit ignition kits are designed for fire pits, so confirm that any kit is approved for your specific fireplace before buying. The Touchstone model is an electric fireplace, not a gas-fireplace starter. The comparison below explains what each option does and where it may fit.

Product Best suited for Key distinction
onlyfire Natural Gas Ignition Kit Building a natural-gas fire pit Fire-pit kit with electronic igniter and key valve
Stanbroil Push Button Ignition Some existing gas fire pits Push-button ignition kit for natural gas or propane
Outdoor Gas Fire Pit Table Buying an outdoor fire-pit setup Table listing includes a natural-gas conversion kit
Touchstone Sideline Deluxe Replacing a gas fireplace with electric Standalone electric fireplace, not an ignition retrofit
Electric Charcoal Starter Lighting charcoal or briquettes Not a gas-fireplace conversion part

onlyfire Natural Gas Fire Pit Ignition Kit

onlyfire natural gas fire pit ignition system kit

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Best for: A project to build a natural-gas fire pit that is specifically designed to accept this type of ignition system. The listed kit includes an electronic igniter and a key valve, and the product description presents it as an all-in-one fire-pit kit.

Why it is selected: It is the closest match in this list to adding electronic ignition to a gas-burning appliance. However, the description identifies it for fire-pit construction, not as a universal retrofit for indoor fireplaces. A fireplace’s burner, control system, and safety requirements must match the kit.

Limitation: Do not assume that a fire-pit ignition kit can be installed in an existing gas fireplace. Check the fireplace manufacturer’s instructions and have a qualified professional confirm suitability before making changes to gas or ignition components.

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Stanbroil Push Button Fire Pit Ignition

Stanbroil push button ignition with ground wire and ignition leads

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Best for: A compatible natural-gas or liquid-propane fire pit that uses a push-button ignition arrangement. The product information specifies two outlets and includes a push-button igniter, a 48-inch ground wire, and a 48-inch lead wire.

Why it is selected: Compared with the onlyfire kit, this listing describes a more focused ignition component rather than an all-in-one fire-pit kit. The manufacturer states that it is for units rated at 150,000 BTUs or less and that both wires resist temperatures up to 200°C. Those specifications can help buyers check whether a fire-pit application is within the listed limits.

Limitation: The stated use is a gas fire pit, not a general gas-fireplace conversion. The listed BTU and wire-temperature limits do not establish compatibility with a particular fireplace or its safety controls.

32-Inch Outdoor Gas Fire Pit Table

32-inch outdoor gas fire pit table with natural gas conversion kit

Best for: Buyers shopping for an outdoor gas fire-pit table rather than a retrofit component for an existing fireplace. The title lists a 32-inch table, a 50,000 BTU rating, a propane configuration, and a natural-gas conversion kit. It also lists a round burner lid, glass rocks, and a cover.

Why it is selected: Its natural-gas conversion kit makes it relevant to buyers comparing gas-fueled outdoor fire features. It is a complete fire-pit product, however, not a standalone electronic ignition kit and not a conversion kit for an indoor fireplace.

Limitation: The supplied information does not specify the ignition method or establish compatibility with any other appliance. Choose it only if you are considering the listed outdoor table and verify fuel setup and installation requirements in the product documentation.

Touchstone Sideline Deluxe Electric Fireplace

Touchstone Sideline Deluxe 50-inch smart electric fireplace

Best for: Someone considering replacing a gas fireplace with a separate electric fireplace, rather than adding an electric ignition to the existing gas appliance. The listed features include a 50-inch recessed design, Wi-Fi and Alexa capability, five flame settings, nine flame colors, a 1,500-watt heater, and log and crystal options.

Why it is selected: It is the only listed product that provides an electric-fireplace alternative. This is a different project from converting a gas fireplace to push-button or electronic ignition: it changes the heat and flame source instead of retaining gas combustion.

Limitation: The listing does not describe it as a gas-fireplace retrofit kit. Confirm installation dimensions and electrical requirements separately before deciding whether it suits the space.

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600W Electric Charcoal Starter Fire Lighter

600-watt electric charcoal starter with 29-inch power cord

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Best for: Lighting charcoal or briquettes for a barbecue, smoker, fire pit, or stove where the product is suitable. The listing describes a 120-volt, 600-watt stainless-steel heating element and a 29-inch power cord. It is intended to ignite solid fuel without lighter fluid or matches.

Why it is selected: The listing mentions fireplaces and fire pits, but this is a charcoal starter—not an ignition control for a gas burner. It may be relevant to solid-fuel lighting, but it does not convert a gas fireplace to electric start.

Limitation: Avoid choosing it as a gas-fireplace conversion part. The product information does not describe a connection to gas valves, burner controls, or fireplace ignition systems.

Buying Guide: What Does “Electric Start” Mean?

The phrase can refer to two different projects. First, an owner may want to keep the gas fireplace but replace manual lighting with a button or electronic ignition. Second, an owner may want to remove or stop using the gas appliance and install an electric fireplace. Those projects need different products.

A gas appliance with electronic ignition still burns gas. The electrical component creates or controls ignition; it does not turn the fireplace into an electric heater. An electric fireplace uses electricity for its flame effect and, if equipped, heat. The Touchstone listing belongs to this second category.

Can You Add A Push-Button Igniter To An Existing Gas Fireplace?

Possibly, but only if the fireplace and its controls support the proposed ignition system. Start with the fireplace’s make, model, installation manual, and existing valve or control configuration. Ask the manufacturer or a qualified gas-appliance professional whether an approved ignition conversion exists for that exact unit.

Do not select a fire-pit component solely because its listing mentions natural gas or propane. The products listed here do not claim universal indoor-fireplace compatibility. Gas appliances may have specific burner, valve, venting, and safety-control requirements that a generic ignition kit cannot establish.

How Do The Listed Ignition Kits Compare?

Option What the listing describes Use-case check
onlyfire kit All-in-one natural-gas fire-pit kit with electronic igniter and key valve Consider for a suitable fire-pit build, not as a confirmed fireplace retrofit
Stanbroil kit Push-button ignition for natural-gas or propane fire pits, with wires Check the stated 150,000 BTU maximum and appliance compatibility
Electric fireplace Recessed electric unit with heater and selectable flame effects Consider for an electric replacement project, not gas ignition

The two fire-pit ignition products are closer to the goal of button-operated gas ignition, but neither listing establishes that it is approved for an existing indoor fireplace. The electric fireplace avoids gas ignition altogether but involves a different kind of installation decision.

What Should You Check Before Buying?

  • Appliance type: Confirm whether the unit is an indoor fireplace, outdoor fire pit, or another gas appliance. A product intended for a fire pit should not be treated as a fireplace part without explicit approval.
  • Fuel and controls: Identify whether the appliance uses natural gas or propane, and note its existing valve and ignition setup. Do not infer compatibility from fuel type alone.
  • Manufacturer approval: Check the manual or contact the manufacturer about approved replacement or upgrade parts for the exact model.
  • Installation requirements: Gas and electrical work can involve safety risks. Have a qualified professional assess the proposed change and follow applicable local requirements.
  • Meaning of conversion: Decide whether you want to keep a gas flame with easier ignition or replace the gas appliance with an electric fireplace. They are not interchangeable solutions.
  • Product limits: Compare any stated BTU, wire-temperature, voltage, or power details with the actual intended application. A matching number does not by itself prove safe compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does an electric starter convert a gas fireplace to an electric fireplace?

No. An electric igniter may start a gas burner, but the fireplace still uses gas. Replacing it with an electric fireplace is a separate project.

Can I use a fire-pit ignition kit in an indoor gas fireplace?

Do not assume so. The listed kits are described for fire pits, and their product information does not confirm indoor-fireplace compatibility. Check the fireplace manual and consult a qualified professional.

What is the closest listed product to a push-button gas igniter?

The Stanbroil product is explicitly described as a push-button ignition kit for natural-gas or propane fire pits. Its stated application does not make it a universal fireplace retrofit.

Is the Touchstone Sideline Deluxe a gas-fireplace ignition kit?

No. It is a standalone electric fireplace with selectable flame settings and a listed 1,500-watt heater. It is an electric alternative, not a control for a gas burner.

Can the electric charcoal starter light a gas fireplace?

It is listed for lighting charcoal and briquettes. It is not described as a gas-valve or burner ignition component, so it is not a suitable gas-fireplace conversion part.

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