Burner assembly for a gas-burning fireplace

Abstract

A burner assembly that overcomes problems experienced in the prior art. One embodiment provides a burner assembly for burning a fuel gas from a gas source. The assembly has a burner body with a contoured upper surface and a burner pan with a gas inlet aperture therein. The burner body is connected to the burner pan. The burner body and burner pan are spaced apart to form a gas distribution chamber therebetween. The burner body has a plurality of gas apertures extending between the distribution chamber to an upper surface of the burner body. The gas apertures are positioned to allow the fuel gas to flow to selected areas on the burner body's upper surface for combustion to create a desired flame at selected locations relative to the upper surface. In one embodiment is a contoured upper surface with a plurality of peaks and valleys forming simulated coal or ember members.

1 - 45 . (canceled)  
   
   
       46 . A burner assembly for burning a fuel gas from a gas source, the burner assembly being connectable to a base with a gas inlet aperture therein, comprising: 
 a burner body having upper and lower portions, the lower portion of the burner body sealably coupleable to the base and having first and second recessed gas distribution chamber portions formed therein, the upper portion of the burner body having a contoured surface with a plurality of integral peaks and valleys, the contoured surface being shaped to simulate a generally planar portion with a plurality of simulated coal members arranged in a simulated ember bed, the burner body having gas distribution apertures extending from the lower portion to the contoured surface, a first set of the gas distribution apertures extending through the burner body to the first recessed gas distribution chamber portion, and a second set of distribution apertures extending through the burner body to the second recessed gas distribution chamber portion, the gas distribution apertures being positioned to direct a flow of the fuel gas to the contoured upper surface for ignition; and    a simulated log supported adjacent to the simulated ember bed.    
   
   
       47 . The burner assembly of  claim 46  wherein the burner body is constructed of a material that glows at selected color variations in the simulated coal members to simulate a burning and glowing coal ember bed in the base of a fire when the fuel gas is ignited adjacent to the contoured surface.  
   
   
       48 . The burner assembly of  claim 46  wherein the burner body is made of a ceramic-based material.  
   
   
       49 . The burner assembly of  claim 46  wherein the gas apertures have open upper ends positioned in a plurality of different planes, so the open upper ends are not co-planar.  
   
   
       50 . A burner assembly for burning a fuel gas from a gas source, comprising: 
 a base;    a non-metallic burner body having a lower portion sealably coupled to the base to form a recessed interior gas distribution chamber configured to receive fuel gas therein from the gas source, an upper portion of the burner body having a contoured surface with a plurality of integral peaks and valleys shaped as simulated coal members, and the contoured surface forming a simulated-log-support surface, the upper portion of the burner body having gas distribution apertures extending from the interior gas distribution chamber to the contoured surface, the gas distribution apertures having different heights and being positioned to direct the fuel gas to the contoured surface for ignition, the burner body being constructed of a material that glows at selected color variations in the simulated coal members to simulate a burning and glowing coal ember bed in the base of a fire when the fuel gas is ignited adjacent to the contoured surface; and    a simulated log supported by the simulated log-support surface adjacent to the simulated coal members.    
   
   
       51 . The burner assembly of  claim 50  wherein the burner body is constructed of a ceramic-based material.  
   
   
       52 . The burner assembly of  claim 50  wherein the burner body is constructed of compressed vermiculite.  
   
   
       53 . The burner assembly of  claim 50  wherein the burner body includes a combustion air hole extending therethrough, the combustion air hole positioned to be out of fluid communication with the gas distribution chamber when the burner pan is connected to the burner body.  
   
   
       54 . The burner assembly of  claim 50  wherein the interior gas distribution chamber has first and second chamber portions recessed from the base, the first chamber portion being larger than the second chamber portion and a greater number of gas distribution apertures communicate with the first chamber portion then the number of gas distribution apertures in communication with the second chamber portion.  
   
   
       55 . A burner assembly for burning a fuel gas, comprising: 
 a burner pan;    a spacer; and    a burner body having upper and lower portions, the lower portion of the burner body sealably coupled to the burner pan, the lower portion of the burner body being supported apart from the burner pan by the spacer forming an interior gas distribution chamber between the burner pan and the burner body, the interior gas distribution chamber positioned to receive a flow of fuel gas therein, the upper portion of the burner body having a contoured surface forming simulated coal members, the upper portion of the burner body having a plurality of gas distribution apertures extending from the interior gas distribution chamber to the contoured surface, the plurality of gas distribution apertures being positioned to direct a flow of the fuel gas from the interior gas distribution chamber to the contoured surface for ignition, the burner body being constructed of a material that glows at selected color variations in the simulated coal members to simulate a burning and glowing coal ember bed in the base of a fire when the fuel gas is ignited adjacent to the contoured surface.    
   
   
       56 . The burner assembly of  claim 55  wherein the interior gas distribution chamber has a plurality of chamber portions to maintain a desired fuel gas pressure within the interior gas distribution chamber.  
   
   
       57 . The burner assembly of  claim 55  wherein the burner pan includes a base spaced apart from the burner body and the spacer is a distribution fence projecting from the base, the lower portion of the burner body has a channel that receives a portion of the distribution fence, the distribution fence dividing the interior gas distribution chamber into separate chamber portions for distribution of the fuel gas to selected ones of the gas distribution apertures.  
   
   
       58 . The burner assembly of  claim 55  wherein the plurality of gas distribution apertures have open upper ends positioned in a plurality of different planes so the open upper ends are not co-planar.  
   
   
       59 . The burner assembly of  claim 55  wherein a selected group of the plurality of gas distribution apertures are concentrated relative to each other to provide a selected flame shape when the fuel gas flowing through the concentrated group of gas distribution apertures is ignited adjacent to the upper portion of the burner body.  
   
   
       60 . The burner assembly of  claim 55  wherein the burner body includes a combustion air hole extending therethrough, the combustion air hole being out of fluid communication with the interior gas distribution chamber.  
   
   
       61 . The burner assembly of  claim 55  wherein the contoured surface provides a non-uniform surface that provides simulated coal portions of different sizes and heights.  
   
   
       62 . The burner assembly of  claim 55  wherein the upper portion of the burner body has a simulated-log-support surface positioned to removably receive one or more simulated logs thereon.  
   
   
       63 . The burner assembly of  claim 55  wherein the burner body is constructed of a ceramic-based material.  
   
   
       64 . A burner assembly for burning a fuel gas from a gas source, comprising: 
 a base;    a spacer adjacent to the base;    a burner body having upper and lower portions, the burner body being coupled to the spacer with the lower portion of the burner body being spaced apart from the base of the base by the spacer to form an interior gas distribution chamber therebetween and configured to receive a flow of fuel gas from the gas source, the lower portion of the burner body having a flat undersurface portion generally parallel to the base of the burner pan, the lower portion having a recessed underportion spaced apart from the burner pan's base and recessed from the burner body's flat undersurface portion, the recessed underportion defining a portion of the gas distribution chamber, the upper portion of the burner body having a contoured surface forming simulated burning members, the burner body having a plurality of gas distribution apertures extending therethrough from the lower portion to the contoured surface of the upper portion, at least the upper portion of the burner body being constructed of a material that glows at selected color variations when the fuel gas is ignited adjacent to the contoured surface.    
   
   
       65 . The burner assembly of  claim 64  wherein the plurality of gas distribution apertures have open upper ends positioned in a plurality of different planes.  
   
   
       66 . The burner assembly of  claim 64  wherein a selected group of the plurality of gas distribution apertures are concentrated relative to each other to provide a selected flame shape when the fuel gas flowing through the concentrated group of gas distribution apertures is ignited adjacent to the upper portion of the burner body.  
   
   
       67 . The burner assembly of  claim 64  wherein the gas distribution chamber has a first recessed chamber portion and a second recessed chamber portion, the burner body having a transition portion adjacent to the first and second recessed chamber portions.  
   
   
       68 . The burner assembly of  claim 64  wherein the burner body is constructed of a ceramic-based material.  
   
   
       69 . The burner assembly of  claim 64 , further comprising a plurality of simulated logs adjustably positioned adjacent to the simulated burning members.  
   
   
       70 . A burner assembly for burning a fuel gas from a gas source, comprising: 
 a base;    a burner body having upper and lower portions, the burner body being spaced apart from the base forming a sealed interior gas distribution chamber therebetween, the interior gas distribution chamber having first and second chamber portions in fluid communication with each other and positioned to receive the fuel gas therein, gas flow distribution surfaces extending between the first and second chamber portions and configured to direct at least a portion of the fuel gas from the first chamber portion to the second chamber portion, the upper portion of the burner body having a contoured surface with a plurality of integral peaks and valleys the burner body having a plurality of gas distribution apertures extending therethrough from the lower portion to the contoured surface of the upper portion, the plurality of gas distribution apertures being positioned to direct a flow of the fuel gas to the contoured surface of the upper portion of the burner body for ignition, at least a portion of the upper surface of the burner body being constructed of a non-metallic material that glows at selected color variations when the fuel gas is ignited adjacent to the contoured surface.    
   
   
       71 . The burner assembly of  claim 70  wherein the peaks and valleys in the contoured surface is shaped to form a plurality of simulated coal members.  
   
   
       72 . The burner assembly of  claim 70  wherein distribution surfaces are distribution fences extending between the lower portion of the burner body and the base.  
   
   
       73 . A burner assembly for burning a fuel gas from a gas source, comprising: 
 a base with a fuel gas inlet; and    a burner body having upper and lower portions, the lower portion of the burner body being sealably coupled to the base, an interior gas distribution chamber between the lower portion of the burner body and the base, the interior gas distribution chamber positioned to receive a flow of fuel gas therein from the fuel gas inlet, the lower portion of the burner body having a flat first undersurface portion spaced apart from the base and a second undersurface spaced apart from the base and recessed from the first undersurface portion, the second undersurface portion defining a portion of the interior gas distribution chamber, the upper portion of the burner body having a contoured surface simulating coal members and having a plurality of gas distribution apertures extending from the interior gas distribution chamber to the contoured surface, the burner body being constructed of a material that glows at selected color variations when the fuel gas is ignited.    
   
   
       74 . The burner assembly of  claim 73  wherein the first and second underportions are substantially parallel to the base.  
   
   
       75 . The burner assembly of  claim 73  wherein the interior gas distribution chamber has a gas flow orifice positioned between a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion.  
   
   
       76 . The burner assembly of  claim 73 , further comprising a plurality of distribution fences extending between the burner body and the distribution fences dividing the interior gas distribution chamber into separate chamber portions.  
   
   
       77 . The burner assembly of  claim 73  wherein the interior gas distribution chamber has a plurality of chamber portions to maintain a desired fuel gas pressure within the interior gas distribution chamber.  
   
   
       78 . The burner assembly of  claim 73  wherein the burner body includes a combustion air hole extending therethrough, the combustion air hole being out of fluid communication with the interior gas distribution chamber.  
   
   
       79 . The burner assembly of  claim 73 , further comprising a spacer between the burner pan and the burner body.  
   
   
       80 . The burner assembly of  claim 73  wherein the burner body is constructed of a ceramic-based material.  
   
   
       81 . A burner assembly for burning a fuel gas from a gas source, comprising: 
 a base coupled to a fuel gas inlet;    a burner body having upper and lower portions, the lower portion of the burner body being sealably coupled to the base to form an interior gas distribution chamber therebetween, the lower portion of the burner body having a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion configured to allow the flow of fuel gas to move from the first chamber portion to the second chamber portion, the upper portion of the burner body having a contoured surface with a plurality of peaks and valleys to form a plurality of simulated coal members, a portion of the contoured surface forming a simulated-log support portion to support one or more simulated logs adjacent to the simulated coal members, the burner body having a plurality of gas distribution apertures extending therethrough from the lower portion to the contoured surface of the upper portion, the plurality of gas distribution apertures being positioned to direct a flow of the fuel gas to the contoured surface of the upper portion of the burner body for ignition, the burner body being constructed of a material that glows at selected color variations in the simulated coal members when the fuel gas is ignited adjacent to the contoured surface.    
   
   
       82 . The burner assembly of  claim 81 , further comprising a spacer between the lower portion of the burner body and the base.  
   
   
       83 . The burner assembly of  claim 81  wherein the plurality of gas distribution apertures have open upper ends positioned in a plurality of different planes, so the open upper ends are not co-planar thereby controlling the distribution of the fuel gas at the contoured surface of the upper portion of the burner body.  
   
   
       84 . The burner assembly of  claim 81  wherein a selected group of the plurality of gas distribution apertures are concentrated relative to each other to provide a selected flame shape when the fuel gas flowing through the concentrated group of gas distribution apertures is ignited adjacent to the upper portion of the burner body.  
   
   
       85 . The burner assembly of  claim 81  wherein the plurality of gas apertures have substantially the same height.  
   
   
       86 . The burner assembly of  claim 81  wherein the burner body is constructed of a ceramic-based material.  
   
   
       87 . A burner assembly for burning a fuel gas from a gas source, the burner assembly being connectable to a base with a gas inlet aperture therein, comprising a non-metallic burner body and at least one simulated log thereon, the burner body having upper and lower portions, the lower portion of the burner body sealably coupleable to the base and having first and second recessed gas distribution chamber portions formed therein, the upper portion of the burner body having a contoured surface with a plurality of integral peaks and valleys, the contoured surface being shaped to simulate a generally planar portion with a plurality of simulated coal members arranged in a simulated ember bed, the burner body having gas distribution apertures extending from the lower portion to the contoured surface, a first set of the gas distribution apertures extending through the burner body to the first recessed gas distribution chamber portion, and a second set of distribution apertures extending through the burner body to the second recessed gas distribution chamber portion, the first and second recessed gas distribution chamber portions in combination with the gas distribution apertures being positioned to direct a flow of the fuel gas to the contoured upper surface for ignition to provide flames that move relative to the contoured upper surface and about the simulated log in a manner that simulates a natural wood-burning fire.  
   
   
       88 . The burner assembly of  claim 87  wherein the burner body is constructed of a material that glows at selected color variations in the simulated coal members to simulate a burning and glowing coal ember bed in the base of a fire when the fuel gas is ignited adjacent to the contoured surface.  
   
   
       89 . The burner assembly of  claim 87  wherein the burner body is constructed of a material that glows in a manner that simulates a burning and glowing coal ember bed in the base of a natural wood-burning fire.  
   
   
       90 . The burner assembly of  claim 87  wherein the gas apertures have open upper ends positioned in a plurality of different planes, so the open upper ends are not co-planar.  
   
   
       91 . The burner assembly of  claim 87 , further comprising the base spaced apart from the burner body, and a gasket positioned between the burner body and the base.  
   
   
       92 . The burner assembly of  claim 87 , further comprising the base having a flat top surface and a separator positioned between the top surface and the burner body to support the burner body away from the top surface.  
   
   
       93 . The burner assembly of  claim 87 , further comprising the base sealably coupled to the burner body, and wherein the burner body includes a combustion air hole extending therethrough, the combustion air hole is positioned to be out of fluid communication with the gas distribution chamber when the base is coupled to the burner body.  
   
   
       94 . A burner assembly for burning a fuel gas from a gas source, comprising: 
 a base;    a non-metallic burner body having a lower portion spaced apart from and sealably coupled to the base to form a recessed gas distribution chamber configured to receive fuel gas therein from the gas source, the upper portion of the burner body having a contoured surface with a plurality of integral peaks and valleys shaped as simulated coal members, and the contoured surface forming a simulated-log-support surface, the upper portion of the burner body having gas distribution apertures extending from the gas distribution chamber to the contoured surface, the gas distribution apertures having different heights and being positioned to direct the fuel gas to the contoured surface for ignition, the burner body being constructed of a material that glows at selected color variations in the simulated coal members to simulate a burning and glowing coal ember bed in the base of a fire when the fuel gas is ignited adjacent to the contoured surface, the burner body with the contoured surface and gas distribution apertures being sized and configured to create flames that move relative to the contoured surface of the burner body and simulate a natural wood-burning fire; and    a simulated log supported by the simulated log-support surface adjacent to the simulated coal members.    
   
   
       95 . The burner assembly of  claim 94 , further comprising a gasket positioned between the burner body and the base.  
   
   
       96 . The burner assembly of  claim 94 , wherein the base has a generally flat top surface and a separator positioned between the top surface and the burner body to support the burner body, away from the top surface.  
   
   
       97 . The burner assembly of  claim 94  wherein the burner body includes a combustion air hole extending therethrough, the combustion air hole positioned to be out of fluid communication with the gas distribution chamber when the burner pan is connected to the burner body.  
   
   
       98 . The burner assembly of  claim 94  wherein the gas distribution chamber has first and second chamber portions recessed from the base, the first chamber portion being larger than the second chamber portion and a greater number of gas distribution apertures communicate with the first chamber portion then the number of gas distribution apertures in communication with the second chamber portion.  
   
   
       99 . A burner assembly for burning a fuel gas, comprising: 
 a burner pan;    a separator; and    a burner body having upper and lower portions, the lower portion of the burner body sealably coupled to the burner pan, the lower portion of the burner body being supported apart from the burner pan by the separator forming a gas distribution chamber between the burner pan and the burner body, the gas distribution chamber positioned to receive a flow of fuel gas therein, the upper portion of the burner body having a contoured surface forming simulated coal members, the upper portion of the burner body having a plurality of gas distribution apertures extending from the gas distribution chamber to the contoured surface, the plurality of gas distribution apertures being positioned to direct a flow of the fuel gas from the gas distribution chamber to the contoured surface for ignition, the burner body being constructed of a material that glows at selected color variations in the simulated coal members to simulate a burning and glowing coal ember bed in the base of a fire when the fuel gas is ignited adjacent to the contoured surface.    
   
   
       100 . The burner assembly of  claim 99  wherein the separator is a distribution fence.  
   
   
       101 . The burner assembly of  claim 99  wherein the separator is a gasket.  
   
   
       102 . The burner assembly of  claim 99  wherein the burner pan has a plurality of sidewalls.  
   
   
       103 . The burner assembly of  claim 99  wherein the burner body having the contoured upper surface and the gas distribution apertures is configured, when the fuel gas is ignited adjacent to the upper surface, to provide flames that move about to the contoured upper surface in a manner that simulates a natural wood-burning fire.  
   
   
       104 . The burner assembly of  claim 99  wherein the gas distribution chamber has a plurality of chamber portions to maintain a desired fuel gas pressure within the gas distribution chamber.  
   
   
       105 . The burner assembly of  claim 99  wherein the burner pan includes a base spaced apart from the burner body and the separator is a distribution fence projecting from the base, the lower portion of the burner body has a channel that receives a portion of the distribution fence, the distribution fence dividing the interior gas distribution chamber into separate chamber portions for distribution of the fuel gas to selected ones of the gas distribution apertures.  
   
   
       106 . The burner assembly of  claim 99  wherein the plurality of gas distribution apertures have open upper ends positioned in a plurality of different planes so the open upper ends are not co-planar.  
   
   
       107 . The burner assembly of  claim 99  wherein a selected group of the plurality of gas distribution apertures are concentrated relative to each other to provide a selected flame shape when the fuel gas flowing through the concentrated group of gas distribution apertures is ignited adjacent to the upper portion of the burner body.  
   
   
       108 . The burner assembly of  claim 99  wherein the burner body includes a combustion air hole extending therethrough, the combustion air hole being out of fluid communication with the interior gas distribution chamber.  
   
   
       109 . The burner assembly of  claim 99  wherein the contoured surface provides a non-uniform surface that provides simulated coal portions of different sizes and heights.  
   
   
       110 . The burner assembly of  claim 99  wherein the upper portion of the burner body has a simulated-log-support surface positioned to removably receive one or more simulated logs thereon.  
   
   
       111 . A burner assembly for burning a fuel gas from a gas source, comprising: 
 a base;    a separator adjacent to the base;    a burner body having upper and lower portions, the lower portion of the burner body being spaced apart from the base of the burner pan by the separator with a gas distribution chamber therebetween and configured to receive a flow of fuel gas from the gas source, the lower portion of the burner body having a flat undersurface portion generally parallel to the base of the burner pan, the lower portion having a recessed underportion spaced apart from the base and recessed from the burner body's flat undersurface portion, the recessed underportion defining a portion of the gas distribution chamber, the upper portion of the burner body having a contoured surface forming simulated burning members, the burner body having a plurality of gas distribution apertures extending therethrough from the lower portion to the contoured surface of the upper portion, at least the upper portion of the burner body being constructed of a material that glows at selected color variations when the fuel gas is ignited adjacent to the contoured surface.    
   
   
       112 . The burner assembly of  claim 111  wherein a selected group of the plurality of gas distribution apertures are concentrated relative to each other to provide a selected flame shape when the fuel gas flowing through the concentrated group of gas distribution apertures is ignited adjacent to the upper portion of the burner body.  
   
   
       113 . The burner assembly of  claim 111  wherein the gas distribution chamber has a first recessed chamber portion and a second recessed chamber portion, the burner body having a transition portion adjacent to the first and second recessed chamber portions.  
   
   
       114 . The burner assembly of  claim 111 , further comprising a simulated log adjustably positioned adjacent to the simulated burning members.  
   
   
       115 . The burner assembly of  claim 111  wherein the separator is a gasket.  
   
   
       116 . The burner assembly of  claim 111  wherein the separator is a distribution fence.  
   
   
       117 . The burner assembly of  claim 111  wherein the base has a plurality of sidewalls.  
   
   
       118 . The burner assembly of  claim 111  wherein the burner body having the contoured upper surface and the gas distribution apertures is configured, when the fuel gas is ignited adjacent to the upper surface, to provide flames that move about to the contoured upper surface in a manner that simulates a natural wood-burning fire.  
   
   
       119 . A burner assembly for burning a fuel gas from a gas source, comprising: 
 a base;    a burner body having upper and lower portions, the burner body being spaced apart from the base forming a gas distribution chamber therebetween, the gas distribution chamber having first and second chamber portions in fluid communication with each other and positioned to receive the fuel gas therein, gas flow distribution surfaces extending between the first and second chamber portions and configured to direct at least a portion of the fuel gas from the first chamber portion to the second chamber portion, the upper portion of the burner body having a contoured surface with a plurality of integral peaks and valleys the burner body having a plurality of gas distribution apertures extending therethrough from the lower portion to the contoured surface of the upper portion, the plurality of gas distribution apertures being positioned to direct a flow of the fuel gas to the contoured surface of the upper portion of the burner body for ignition, at least a portion of the upper surface of the burner body being constructed with the contoured upper surface and the gas distribution apertures being configured, when the fuel gas is ignited adjacent to the upper surface, to provide flames that move about to the contoured upper surface in a manner that simulates a natural wood-burning fire.    
   
   
       120 . The burner assembly of  claim 124  wherein the peaks and valleys in the contoured surface is shaped to form a plurality of simulated coal members.  
   
   
       121 . The burner assembly of  claim 124 , further compromising distribution fences extending between the lower portion of the burner body and the base.  
   
   
       122 . A burner assembly for burning a fuel gas from a gas source, comprising: 
 a base; and    a burner body having upper and lower portions, the lower portion of the burner body being sealably coupled to the base, the lower portion of the burner body having a recessed gas distribution chamber having a first chamber portion space apart from a second chamber portion and interconnected therewith by an intermediate chamber portion smaller than the first and second chamber portions, the first chamber portion being positioned to receive a flow of fuel gas therein directly from the fuel gas inlet so the fuel gas is distributed from the first chamber portion through the intermediate chamber portion to the first chamber portion, the upper portion of the burner body having a contoured surface simulating coal members and having a plurality of gas distribution apertures extending from the gas distribution chamber to the contoured surface, the burner body being constructed to provide flames, when the fuel gas is ignited, that move relative to the in a manner that resembles a natural wood-burning fire.    
   
   
       123 . The burner assembly of  claim 122 , further comprising a separator coupled to the base and supporting the burner body away from the base.  
   
   
       124 . The burner assembly of  claim 122 , further comprising a gasket positioned between the base and the burner body to support the burner body away from the base.  
   
   
       125 . The burner assembly of  claim 122 , further comprising a spacer between the base and the burner body.  
   
   
       126 . A burner assembly for burning a fuel gas from a gas source, comprising: 
 a base with a fuel gas inlet; and    a burner body having upper and lower portions, the lower portion of the burner body being sealably coupled to the base, a gas distribution chamber between the lower portion of the burner body and the base, the gas distribution chamber positioned to receive a flow of fuel gas therein from the fuel gas inlet, the lower portion of the burner body having a flat first undersurface portion spaced apart from the base and a second undersurface spaced apart from the base and recessed from the first undersurface portion, the second undersurface portion defining a portion of the gas distribution chamber, the upper portion of the burner body having a contoured surface simulating coal members and having a plurality of gas distribution apertures extending from the gas distribution chamber to the contoured surface, the burner body being constructed of a material that glows at selected color variations when the fuel gas is ignited, the burner body includes a combustion air hole extending therethrough, the combustion air hole being out of fluid communication with the gas distribution chamber.    
   
   
       127 . The burner assembly of  claim 126 , further comprising a separator between the burner pan and the burner body.  
   
   
       128 . A burner assembly for burning a fuel gas from a gas source, comprising: 
 a base;    a burner body having upper and lower portions, the lower portion of the burner body being sealably coupled to the base to form a gas distribution chamber therebetween, the lower portion of the burner body having a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion configured to allow the flow of fuel gas to move from the first chamber portion to the second chamber portion, the upper portion of the burner body having a contoured surface with a plurality of peaks and valleys to form a plurality of simulated coal members, a portion of the contoured surface forming a simulated-log support portion to support one or more simulated logs adjacent to the simulated coal members, the burner body having a plurality of gas distribution apertures extending therethrough from the lower portion to the contoured surface of the upper portion, the plurality of gas distribution apertures being positioned to direct a flow of the fuel gas to the contoured surface of the upper portion of the burner body for ignition, the burner body being constructed of a material that glows at selected color variations in the simulated coal members when the fuel gas is ignited adjacent to the contoured surface; and    a separator between base and the burner body that separates the burner body from the base.    
   
   
       129 . The burner assembly of  claim 128  wherein the plurality of gas distribution apertures have open upper ends positioned in a plurality of different planes, so the open upper ends are not co-planar thereby controlling the distribution of the fuel gas at the contoured surface of the upper portion of the burner body.  
   
   
       130 . The burner assembly of  claim 128  wherein a selected group of the plurality of gas distribution apertures are concentrated relative to each other to provide a selected flame shape when the fuel gas flowing through the concentrated group of gas distribution apertures is ignited adjacent to the upper portion of the burner body.  
   
   
       131 . A burner assembly for burning a fuel gas from a gas source, comprising: 
 a base;    a burner body having upper and lower portions, the lower portion of the burner body being sealably coupled to the base to form a gas distribution chamber therebetween, the lower portion of the burner body having a first chamber portion and a second chamber portion configured to allow the flow of fuel gas to move from the first chamber portion to the second chamber portion, the upper portion of the burner body having a contoured surface with a plurality of peaks and valleys to form a plurality of simulated coal members, a portion of the contoured surface forming a simulated-log support portion to support one or more simulated logs adjacent to the simulated coal members, the burner body having a plurality of gas distribution apertures extending therethrough from the lower portion to the contoured surface of the upper portion, the plurality of gas distribution apertures being positioned to direct a flow of the fuel gas to the contoured surface of the upper portion of the burner body for ignition, the burner body being constructed of a material that glows at selected color variations in the simulated coal members when the fuel gas is ignited adjacent to the contoured surface; and    a spacer between the lower portion of the burner body and the base.    
   
   
       132 . The burner assembly of  claim 131  wherein the plurality of gas distribution apertures have open upper ends positioned in a plurality of different planes, so the open upper ends are not co-planar thereby controlling the distribution of the fuel gas at the contoured surface of the upper portion of the burner body.  
   
   
       133 . The burner assembly of  claim 131  wherein a selected group of the plurality of gas distribution apertures are concentrated relative to each other to provide a selected flame shape when the fuel gas flowing through the concentrated group of gas distribution apertures is ignited adjacent to the upper portion of the burner body.  
   
   
       134 . The burner assembly of  claim 131  wherein the spacer is a gasket.  
   
   
       135 . A burner assembly for burning a fuel gas from a gas source, comprising: 
 a base;    a simulated log; and    a burner body upper and lower portions, the lower portion of the burner body sealably coupleable to the base and having a recessed gas distribution chamber integrally formed therein, the upper portion of the burner body having the simulated log thereon and having a contoured surface with integral peaks and valleys resulting in the burner body having different thicknesses between the recessed gas distribution chamber and the contoured surface, the contoured surface being shaped to simulate coal members arranged in a simulated ember bed that glows below the simulated log, the burner body having gas distribution apertures extending from the lower portion to the contoured surface, the gas distribution apertures having a plurality of different heights, the burner body being configured to distribute fuel gas to the upper portion and around the simulated log to provide a flame having color variations and movement that simulates a natural wood-burning fire.    
   
   
       136 . The burner assembly of  claim 135  wherein the burner body has a combustion air hole extending therethrough and being out of fluid communication with the gas distribution chamber.  
   
   
       137 . The burner assembly of  claim 135  wherein the gas distribution apertures includes a forward set of apertures and a rear set of apertures, the burner body has a combustion air hole extending therethrough, being out of fluid communication with the gas distribution chamber, and positioned intermediate the forward and rear sets of apertures.  
   
   
       138 . The burner assembly of  claim 135  wherein the burner body has a combustion air hole extending therethrough out of fluid communication with the gas distribution chamber and positioned to provide combustion air to the upper surface to facilitate combustion of the fuel gas over the burner body.  
   
   
       139 . The burner assembly of  claim 135  wherein the burner body is constructed of a material that glows at selected color variations in the simulated coal members to simulate a burning and glowing coal ember bed in the base of a fire below the simulated log when the fuel gas is ignited adjacent to the contoured surface.  
   
   
       140 . The burner assembly of  claim 135 , further comprising the base spaced apart from the burner body, and a separator positioned between the burner body and the base.  
   
   
       141 . The burner assembly of  claim 135 , further comprising the base having a flat top surface and a separator positioned between the top surface and the burner body to support the burner body away from the top surface.  
   
   
       142 . A burner assembly for burning a fuel gas from a gas source, comprising: 
 a base;    a separator adjacent to the base;    a burner body having upper and lower portions, the lower portion of the burner body being spaced apart from the base by the separator with a gas distribution chamber therebetween and configured to receive a flow of fuel gas from the gas source, the lower portion of the burner body having a flat undersurface portion generally parallel to the base, the lower portion having a recessed underportion spaced apart from the base and recessed from the burner body's flat undersurface portion, the recessed underportion defining a portion of the gas distribution chamber, the upper portion of the burner body having a contoured surface forming simulated burning members, the burner body having gas distribution apertures extending therethrough from the lower portion to the contoured surface of the upper portion, the gas distribution apertures have open upper ends positioned in different planes, wherein a selected group of the gas distribution apertures are concentrated relative to each other to provide a selected flame shape when the fuel gas flowing through the concentrated group of gas distribution apertures is ignited adjacent to the upper portion of the burner body, the upper portion of the burner body being constructed of a material that glows at selected color variations when the fuel gas is ignited adjacent to the contoured surface; and    a simulated log adjustably positioned on the burner body adjacent to the simulated burning members.    
   
   
       143 . The burner assembly of  claim 142  wherein the separator is a gasket.  
   
   
       144 . The burner assembly of  claim 142  wherein the separator is a distribution fence.  
   
   
       145 . The burner assembly of  claim 55  wherein the spacer is a gasket.  
   
   
       146 . The burner assembly of  claim 55  wherein the spacer further comprises a gasket.