help with my gas fireplace?

My gas fireplace keeps shutting off by itself, does anyone know what the problem might be? It starts just fine, there's an ignition button to push and it will come on for a little while then it goes off! Does it need to be cleaned? If so, where do we clean and how? We just moved in a year ago and never had a gas fireplace before. Last winter we had no problem. It has a metal grate in front that I don't think comes off , at the bottom it opens to expose the pipes, valves and ignition.

Public Comments

1. After mine ignites I turn it down about half way and it works fine. I think it's a thermal switch that gets too hot and shuts it down. Maybe it needs to be replaced or cleaned.
2. I had a similar problem with my fireplace. It is the pilot light contacts that are getting dirty or need cleaning. Call your local gas company and have them send out a repair man, there is usually no charge and they will clean it for free. I had mine done a couple of times a year.
3. Mine used to do that all the time I ended up calling a Plumber all he did was remove the logs and take the burner out take them outside and blow them off with compressed air. He charged me $150 for about 10 minutes worth of work. From then on I did it myself using a electric leaf blower.
4. I use to work for a heating company. If you have not had it cleaned in 2 years do it right away. Make sure your filter is clean too. Furnaces need air to flow and if it is plugged air can't flow. Since you have not had any experience with a gas furnace, it is worth your money to call a reputable heating contractor for this problem. It could simply be the ignitor or therma-couple. When they come, ask them questions about how you can help maintain it.
5. If the fireplace is controlled by a remote, it may need new batteries.