chimneyfireplacemasonry
From what I've been able to determine what's pictured is a gas log lighter for wood burning fireplaces. The prior owner did some questionable stuff so I don't know if it was originally gas and he "converted" it to wood burning or if it was originally wood burning. As an example the log lighter is not installed correctly.
What things should I look for to confirm if it is wood burning or gas.
For a typical masonry chimney installing a chimney cap is something you can tackle yourself. However, do not try to fabricate a cap yourself. A chimney cap is not something that you want to make at home. The cap you purchase should come with the proper fasteners which will usually be screws that are pointed on the ends to penetrate the flue liner that is exposed at the very top of your chimney. Some caps have a flue built in that requires a cable to run down the length of the chimney. Unless there is a problem with your fireplace I would not use one like that. The materials used to construct the cap are important. Don't buy one that could rust and consider a finish that will never need repainted.
While you are up there take the time to inspect your chimney inside and out. Look for any areas that are missing mortar. Check the inside for shiny black covering or cracks. Make sure there are no missing bricks and the top of the chimney properly sheds water. Any of these issues and I recommend brining in a professional.
All very nice and stylish.. Electric fire place! This will be the easiest way to replace your wood fire place. But the cons in most countries is that electric heating is very expensive. Pros are well.. clean and easy. Press a button and set the heat you want. Effects vary and they are not expensive.
If you want to use gas,
then you have some options. If you have a basement directly under the fire place you can make a safe place to store gas bottles and just put a supply line directly above to the gas fire place. Easy to to replace once every few months and lasts for a bit.
If you have no basement then maybe if space permits a safe place somewhere outside on your wall- hidden away form first sight(but easy access to replace) and run some gas lines to the fire place.
Last option is to keep the gas bottle somewhere in the same room in a safe,ventilated cupboard.. like some people use the a gas stove with a supply bottle right under it. This is the last option (maybe easiest) but safety is a big concern though.
propane(gas) bottles or cylinders.
Propane tank
Best Answer
I originally wrote:
Gas, but I'm more convinced by the other arguments that it might be wood.
In profile, it is a rumford fireplace, but lacks some of the technology of those fireplaces to deal with smoke. It also does not have an air hole at the bottom, which a lot of wood-burning fireplaces use to avoid sending hot air up the chimney.
Besides that, it shows no sign of ever having had wood smoke in it, and the damper isn't the type you usually see on wood-burning fireplaces.
Most likely, the gas line you see was covered with various fake wood logs to create a more visually appealing setup.
Alternatively, there's a grate missing, and you can start the logs using the gas log igniter.
If anything, it might have originally been a coal burning fireplace, but most wood-burning fireplaces are deeper and not so clean.
It doesn't seem particularly efficient as a wood fireplace, but it might have gbeen designed solely for decorative use.