Universal Gas Valve Keys

A gas fireplace key replacement is an affordable option with Fireplace Doors Online! Each key in our collection will fit 1/4 or 5/16 inch valve stems. These universal gas valve keys are also designed to connect with both round (ball) and square (globe) valves and are crafted from zinc die-cast alloy. Valve keys are an important component of any gas-fueled appliance.

Whether you've misplaced your key or just prefer an update, we have 3, 8, 12, 18, and 24-inch sizes available. Choose from a number of elegant finishes that will surely match any decor! We also carry our very own universal key extender with an 18-inch stem!

PLEASE NOTE:
Gas valves should never be installed within the fireplace! All valves must be situated outside the fireplace and within 6 feet of the fireplace opening. We highly recommend having a certified gas professional complete this installation process for you.

All About Gas Valve Keys

WHAT DOES A GAS VALVE KEY DO?

Your valve key is an integral part of the valve assemblage. Without it, you would have no way to turn the gas supply to your fire feature on and off. Valve keys are used in conjunction with an escutcheon, which is located either on the wall next to your fireplace (it can be on the left or right-hand side) or on the floor next to your fire feature:

The location of your escutcheon can be configured either way for both indoor and outdoor features, but it will really depend on the construction of your living space and how the gas lines are situated.     

Valve keys can be used for a variety of different gas features: fireplaces, log lighters in outdoor wood burning fire pits, fire bowls, and fire tables. Simply insert the key into the escutcheon (which is the protective cover for your gas valve stem), then twist the key in order to open and close the valve. Remember to apply the rule "righty-tighty, lefty-loosey" - turning the key to the left will open the valve (turn on the gas). Afterward, you'll simply turn the key to the right to close the valve (shut off the gas).

FAQ's

WHAT ARE DECORATIVE GAS VALVE KEYS MADE OF?

• Most keys are made of a zinc alloy.

DOES MY VALVE KEY NEED TO BE A CERTAIN SIZE?

• Depending on how much access you have to your key valve, you may need one of two sizes. If your escutcheon is well within reach and easily accessible, a 3-inch key would be perfect. However, if your access space is quite narrow, you may want to get a longer key to make turning the valve easier.

WHAT SIZE VALVE STEMS WILL THESE KEYS FIT?

• Regardless of which size you choose, these universal keys will fit both 1/4 inch and 5/16 inch stems on any of the gas ball valves that we offer.

Gas Valve Flange Covers

Fireplace Doors Online has a selection of affordable escutcheon plates for you to choose from! Our fireplace gas valve covers are the metal plates and stem that safeguard the shut-off valve located on the floor or wall nearest your fireplace. Combined with a valve key, they allow you to easily turn your gas on and off. The key is necessary to turn the gas on and off. Click here to see our collection of universal gas valve keys, available in different lengths and finishes to match these escutcheons.

Select the finish that best matches your valve key and decor. Each of these components is made of zinc die-cast alloy and has a top diameter of 2 1/8 inch. The 1-inch wide shaft is 2 1/16 inches long. These Dante escutcheons fit 1/2 inch valve threads. These decorative valve covers are as beautiful as they are functional. The Blue Flame Universal escutcheons fit 1/2 inch and 3/4 inch valve threads. 

PLEASE NOTE:
Gas valves should never be installed within the fireplace! All valves must be situated outside the fireplace and within 6 feet of the fireplace opening. We highly recommend having a certified gas professional complete this installation process for you.

What is an escutcheon?

Escutcheon. While this term appears on our website plenty of times, many people have not seen or heard it before and are not sure what it is. What's even more confusing, perhaps, is how to pronounce it! Let's solve that mystery first:

ess-CUTch-en

Now let's take a look at the meaning of this old French term. It was derived from the Latin word, scutum, which means shield. Here at Fireplace Doors Online, we use escutcheon to describe the decorative gas valve floor plate (or flange) that conceals or hides the functioning part of your gas assembly: the valve! Across the board, however, escutcheons are found in pretty much every room in your own home. Take a look around! You'll find that these coverings are used in multiple settings, whether it be for plumbing, mechanical, electrical, or architectural purposes. In fact, look at the lockset on your doors. The item that surrounds the lock cylinder or keyhole to protect it from being drilled out or damage is known as an escutcheon!

Typically, this protective plate is found around plumbing that exits the wall (for example, the water supply for sinks, faucets, and toilets). The base plate that seals a faucet to a sink, or the large circular disc around the mixing valve in a shower, are both escutcheons. In this case, the escutcheons keep water from leaking in and around the assembly.

In the fireplace realm, a gas valve safety cover is commonly called an escutcheon. It is a decorative plate that screws onto and covers up the valve stem on your gas assembly. When you place the end of a valve key into the opening of the plate, you can easily control the flow of natural gas or propane from your fuel line to your feature, be it a fireplace, log lighter, fire pit, or bowl. Some of these plates are designed to fit over 1/2" threaded valves, while others are made for 3/4" valves (this size is used in conjunction with high capacity gas features).

To understand how it works on an outdoor fireplace, check out the infographic at the right.

We have many decorative gas valve plates for your outdoor fire feature. These flanges come in a variety of finishes, and can even be bundled with a valve and key for those of you who are in the beginning stages of installing a gas fire feature! 

Gas Valve Kits

Our line of gas valve kits includes the components you need for your gas fireplace control valve! The keys and escutcheons are available in an array of beautiful, decorative finishes and include either a straight or angled valve. Machined or forged from solid brass stock, these AGA certified valves are constructed with ½" pipe thread fittings. We also have additional components and single brass valves available! Choose from our collection of exceptionally affordable fireplace valve kits to match your decor!

PLEASE NOTE:

• Do not install gas valves inside the firebox of your heat source! All valves must be situated outside the fire structure and within 6 feet of the fireplace opening. We highly recommend having a certified gas professional complete this installation process for you.

Suspect a gas leak? Questioning if your ball valve needs to be replaced?

We have some helpful information on how you can detect a gas leak and when it's time to replace your quarter-turn ball valve.

If you have a gas-burning feature, now is the time to be proactive with some routine maintenance. Before the summer comes to an end, it's a good idea to check for problems and get them taken care of before your local gas professional is up to his/her eyeballs in service calls for heating appliances. Fireplace Doors Online is here to arm you with helpful tips and information on how you can check to see if your gas connections are in safe working order!

Whether you have a fireplace, a fire pit or bowl, or even a stainless steel log lighter to conveniently start a blaze in your wood-burning fire pit, chances are you have a straight or angled quarter-turn ball valve. This gas supply component is located at the end of your natural gas or propane fuel line and just before your lighter or burner. Ball valves have an interior hollowed out sphere that either blocks or accommodates gas flow depending on the position it is in. These inline valves are super easy to operate, utilizing either an easy-grip handle (shut off valve) or a valve cover and key to orient the ball 90 degrees in one of two directions:

Gas ON (handle is parallel to the valve and the ball is turned to let gas flow through its center)

Gas OFF (handle is perpendicular to the valve and the ball is turned to block the flow of gas)

The simple design of the valve and complete brass fabrication makes for a durable, long-lasting component. However, even the best valves eventually succumb to wear and tear, and (at times) less than favorable insulation during the off-season. It is always a good idea to test for leaks at least twice a year

FAQ's

WHAT WOULD CAUSE MY GAS VALVE TO LEAK?

• Even valves that are labeled "bubble-tight" or "zero leakage" are not always 100% leak-free. A gas valve leak can emit natural gas or propane into the air and pose safety and environmental threats. A leak could even remain within your piping system and cause a hazard to your fire feature and gas lines/connections. Either way, a leak is never good and must be tended to immediately.
• If you smell gas coming from your fire feature when it is not in use, check for the following:

1. Is the valve fully closed? (The handle would be perpendicular to the valve, or when inserting the key into the escutcheon, it would point to the OFF position on the plate.)
2. Is the valve visibly damaged? (Any type of damage to the valve or connections will cause leakage.)
3. For newly installed gas features, is the valve the correct size? (Selecting a valve that is too big is the most common cause of leakage. We recommend having a certified gas professional connect your feature to ensure the correct component has been installed.)

WHAT CAN I DO TO PROTECT AGAINST VALVE LEAKAGE?

• Other than selecting the appropriate size valve for your project, another way to help stop leakage is to simply perform regular inspections of your setup. Early detection is the best prevention. Let us walk you through an easy DIY diagnostic test!

1. Fill a spray bottle with water and add a few tablespoons of dishwashing soap. 
2. Adjust the spray nozzle to "STREAM" so that you get a sharp immersion of water onto the valve; wet it thoroughly with the solution. The "STREAM" setting will also allow the soapy mixture to reach into any areas that are not easily accessible.
3. Turn on the gas and check for bubbles.
4. Small bubbles resembling foam that form at the valve connection indicate a small leak, which is usually not a cause for major concern. Larger bubbles indicate a greater issue and should be relayed to your gas professional immediately!
5. For small leaks, a majority of the time this can be fixed by tightening the connection. Wipe off the solution and then tighten the fitting with a pipe wrench. Apply a new stream of the mixture and recheck. If you are still seeing bubbles and have tightened the fitting completely, you may want to have a gas professional inspect your setup.

• For those instances where a new quarter-turn ball valve is needed, we have plenty of options for you to choose from! We have both angled and straight models in standard or high capacity output. For inline shut off valves or units that operate with the turn of a key, Fireplace Doors Online is your one-stop source for reliable, high-quality replacement components for your gas fire feature!