Adding the Blower to the Jotul Gas Fireplace

I thought we had ordered the fireplace with a blower, but I had not.

So, I called Etowah Fireplace and had them ship it directly to us. Cliff was pretty confident he could add it himself. If not, we can always call for help.

No help was needed. The blower was easy to install. It took less than an hour including the time we spent playing with the mantel.

The fireplace blower has a Snapstat, a heat activated switch. Once the fire has heated the fireplace, the snapstat turns the blower on. It continues to blow as long as the fireplace stays warm enough. If you (or the thermostat) turn the fire off, it stops blowing once it would only be blowing cool air.

We had the fireplace installed and working already and there was enough clearance for the blower kit, so that part of the instructions we could skip.

We checked the contents. Everything was there.

Jotul Gas Fireplace Blower Parts List

1. Blower
2. Mounting Bracket
3. Snapstat Wire Harness
4. Control Switch Wire Harness
5. Snapstat
6. Snapstat Bracket
7. Blower Duct Deflector (2)
8. M6 Hex Head Flange Nuts (2)
9. M6 x 12 Hex Head Flange Bolts
10. M6 x 12 Wingscrew
11. #7 x 1/2” phillips screw (2)

We had the required tools.

Tools Required

• 10 mm wrench
• Short Phillips screwdriver
• Safety Glasses
• Work Gloves

The instructions are very clear, logical and easy to follow.

Attach Snapstat and Blower Brackets

Step 2: (Step 1 was opening the box and making sure you have all the parts and the tools.) Attach the Snapstat Bracket to the studs located in the middle of the firebox floor using the two M6 hex nuts and a 10 mm wrench.

Step 3: Attach the Blower Bracket to the stove using the two M6 flange head hex bolts.

Step 4:  Attach the Duct Deflectors using the two #7 x 1/2″ screws together with the finger guard mounting screws already in place.

Step 5:  Install the Blower with the duct openings oriented up and forward.
Feed the wire harness through the bracket opening and secure the blower to the bracket with the wingscrew.

Step 6: Attach either Snapstat wire connector to either Snapstat terminal.

Step 7: Install the Snapstat by sliding it all the way into the slot in the bottom of the Snapstat Bracket.

Step 8: Connect the male wire harness connector to the female wire harness connector already installed in the stove.

Step 9: Connect power cord to outlet.

Plug it in!

How Does the Fireplace Blower Work?

Blower Operation

The optional variable-speed blower will enhance heat circulation around the firebox and out into the room. The blower is controlled by a heat activated switch (snapstat) that will ONLY function when the control switch is in AUTO setting. After the fire has been burning for a time, the snapstat will react to the heat and activate the blower. Fan speed may be manually adjusted with the rheostat knob. If the burner turns off, the blower will be shut off automatically when the stove cools down.

It works just like it says it is supposed to.

The Mantel over the Fireplace

As soon as we got the fireplace, we put the mantel over it. I LOVE it!

We put the mantel back and tried it out with the new blower.

And the mantel gets HOT! Even with the blower on, it gets hotter than is safe. So we immediately ordered a mantel heat shield and didn’t turn the fire on again until we got it installed.

Copperfield Chimney Supply Home Saver Mantel Shield on Amazon
Mantel Shields on Amazon
Fireplace Hoods on Amazon