Napoleon
Napoleon Galaxy Outdoor Fireplace, Natural Gas
Napoleon Galaxy Outdoor Fireplace, Natural Gas
A 50 inch single-sided outdoor gas fireplace with glass embers, built-in LED lighting and electronic ignition. The Galaxy 50 runs on natural gas and ships with a tempered glass wind guard and a wall switch that controls the fire and the lights. Napoleon classes it as a decorative appliance, built for the look of the fire rather than as a source of heat.
Outdoors only, in a sheltered spot. Napoleon asks for at least 30% of the sides to stay open, 4 ft clear in front and a 72 in. minimum enclosure height. The enclosure layouts are in the installation manual.
What you get
| Model | Napoleon GSS50NE, Galaxy™ 50 single-sided outdoor gas fireplace, natural gas, electronic ignition |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Natural gas. The appliance is only for the gas on its rating plate, and a certified kit is required to change fuels. |
| Maximum input | Up to 50,000 BTU/hr on natural gas at 0 to 4,500 ft. Above 4,500 ft, Napoleon reduces the certified input by 4% for each additional 1,000 ft, unless your local authority says otherwise. This is a gas input rating, not a heat rating. |
| Gas supply pressure | 5.5 in. w.c. minimum and 13 in. w.c. maximum, with a manifold pressure of 3.5 in. w.c. |
| Size | 54 9/16″ wide, 40 1/8″ high and 15 15/16″ deep. Napoleon's framing size is 55″ wide, 40 1/2″ high and 17″ deep. The viewing area is 50 1/16″ wide by 20″ high. |
| Enclosure | Napoleon calls for a minimum enclosure height of 72″ from the bottom of the appliance, or 84″ for a TV recess. Keep furniture and other objects at least 4 ft in front of it. |
| Where it goes | An outdoor patio or yard, in a sheltered area. Napoleon says it must never be installed inside the warm air envelope of a structure. |
| Venting | Napoleon lists an optional Heat and Exhaust Management Kit, GSOHEM, which must use approved B-vent components. A 36″ minimum vertical rise is the minimum practical size, and the drawing shows 40 ft as the maximum. |
| Ignition | Electronic ignition. About 3 to 5 seconds after you switch it on, the control sparks at the pilot, lights it and then lights the burner. |
| Lighting | A side emitting LED light and an LED media tray light. The wall switch has two switches, one for the fire and one for the lights. |
| Power | Hard wired 120 V connection. Napoleon's rating plate shows 115 V, 60 Hz and less than 12 amperes. The LED lights run through a 12 V DC, 4 A transformer. |
| Included | Tempered glass wind guard, glass embers, burner and pilot assembly, LED lighting, side, top and bottom trim, control module, and a wall switch with 20 ft of wire, as shown in Napoleon's parts list and manual |
| Not included | Gas line, a log set, a screen kit, a weather cover, porcelain panels and any other optional kit |
| See-through option | Napoleon lists a see-through conversion kit, GSS50STC, which does not need a recessed depth. Ask us about it. |
| Warranty | Napoleon Gas Appliance President's Lifetime Limited Warranty. Terms are in the owner's manual. |
Add to your order
Everything below is listed in Napoleon's Galaxy manuals or parts list as a fit for the Galaxy 50. Tick what you want and add it to your cart with the fireplace in one step.
Questions people ask us
Is the Galaxy 50 for outdoor use only?
Yes, outdoors only. Napoleon intends the Galaxy for an outdoor patio or in your yard and says it must never be installed inside the warm air envelope of a structure. It should go in a sheltered spot, because direct wind can make the flame erratic and can cause pilot or burner outages. Napoleon lists a covered patio, a screened porch, a gazebo or an outside wall of a house as typical places.
How much of the space has to be open?
Napoleon says at least 30% of the outdoor living space periphery must be open and unobstructed. The enclosure has to match one of its layouts: a partial enclosure with an overhead cover and no more than two side walls, a partial enclosure with an overhead cover and three walls where 30% or more of the horizontal edge is permanently open, or walls on all sides with at least one permanent opening at ground level and no overhead cover. The installation manual shows how to work out the percentage.
Does it need a chimney or vent pipe?
Napoleon's manual describes venting as optional. It lists a Heat and Exhaust Management Kit, GSOHEM, which must use approved B-vent components, supported every 3 ft on vertical runs. Napoleon calls a 36 in. vertical rise the minimum practical size, and its drawing shows a 40 ft maximum. Whether your space needs it depends on the enclosure and your local code, so ask your installer and send us your layout. We can order the kit for you.
What gas supply does it need?
This listing is the natural gas model. Napoleon asks for a supply of at least 5.5 in. w.c. and no more than 13 in. w.c., with a manifold pressure of 3.5 in. w.c. when the burner is running. Napoleon says the appliance is only for the gas on its rating plate and that it can be converted only with a certified kit. Tell us before you order if you plan to run propane.
Is it a heater?
No. Napoleon's manual describes the Galaxy as a decorative product that is not a source of heat, and says it is not intended to burn solid fuel. The 50,000 BTU/hr figure is the most gas the burner can use, not a heating rating. Choose this fireplace for the flame and plan any patio heating separately.
What comes with the fireplace?
Napoleon's parts list and manual show a tempered glass wind guard, glass embers, the burner and pilot assembly, an LED side light and an LED media tray light, side, top and bottom trim, the control module and a wall switch with 20 ft of wire. The gas line, a log set, a screen kit, a weather cover and porcelain panels are sold separately. Ask us if you want to confirm what ships with your order.
How do the lights and the fire work?
The wall switch has two switches. One runs the appliance, and the other runs the lights. When you turn the appliance on, the control waits about 3 to 5 seconds, sparks at the pilot, lights the pilot and then lights the burner. The spark lasts up to 60 seconds or until the pilot lights. If the installer has not already done the burn-in, Napoleon asks you to run the fireplace for 4 hours straight the first time, with good air circulation around it.
Can I put it on a timer?
Yes. Napoleon's Outdoor Timer Kit instructions cover the Galaxy series. The kit replaces the wall switch with a wall timer that has 30, 60 and 120 minute buttons and an off button, and the fireplace shuts itself off when the time runs out. For Galaxy units the kit also includes an illuminated blue LED switch for the lights. It runs on two CR-2032 button batteries. Napoleon says the timer should not be used with a weather cover installed. If the cover is on, the gas supply must be shut off. Pick it in the add-ons below.
Do I need an electrical connection?
Yes. Napoleon says to hard wire this appliance at 120 V, and its rating plate shows 115 V, 60 Hz and less than 12 amperes. The LED lights run through a 12 V DC, 4 A transformer. All wiring should be done by a qualified electrician in line with local codes, and the 110 V supply must never be wired to the valve or the wall switch. Plan for an electrician as well as a gas fitter.
What log sets can I add?
Napoleon lists oak, driftwood and birch high definition log kits for the Galaxy 50, shown with their placement diagrams in the installation manual. They are sold under the Linear Vector names in our catalog, and Napoleon's Galaxy parts list names them for this fireplace. Napoleon says to use only logs approved for the appliance and to keep logs off the burner ports and the pilot housing. Pick one in the add-ons below and it goes into your cart with the fireplace.
Can I add a screen, weather cover or porcelain panels?
Napoleon lists a stainless steel screen kit (GSS50SK) that helps keep dirt and debris out of the fireplace, a stainless steel weather cover (GSS50WC) that protects the inside of the fireplace when it is not in use, porcelain panel kits and Woodland media kits for it. Napoleon highly recommends protecting the logs from rain and snow and covering the opening when the fireplace is idle. Ask us and we will order the ones you want.
Can I mount a TV above it?
It needs planning. Napoleon says the area above a gas fireplace gets hot and is not suited to a TV without provisions for heat. For a TV recess it calls for a minimum enclosure height of 84 in., with non-combustible material 14 in. above the opening and the enclosure space left unobstructed, and it says the temperature at the TV has to be checked at installation. Send us your wall plan and we will help.
What size opening do I need to frame?
The Galaxy 50 measures 54 9/16 in. wide, 40 1/8 in. high and 15 15/16 in. deep, and Napoleon's framing size is 55 in. wide, 40 1/2 in. high and 17 in. deep. The enclosure needs a minimum height of 72 in., and furniture and other objects should stay at least 4 ft from the front. The spec sheet and installation manual in the links below give every clearance and the see-through framing. Check them against your plan before you order.
Is this the natural gas or the propane model?
It is the natural gas model, GSS50NE. Napoleon lists conversion kits between natural gas and propane for the Galaxy series. Ask us for the right kit if you want to run propane. If you do, Napoleon says the propane cylinder must always sit outside the structure.
Goes with this
Manuals and warranty
Napoleon's terms cover the first 10 years at no charge for warranted parts, and from year 10 to life Napoleon supplies replacement parts at 50% of the current retail price. After the first year, Napoleon may choose to refund the wholesale price of a defective part, and installation and labor are not covered. The warranty does not cover damage from water, weather, long periods of dampness or condensation. The fireplace must be installed by a licensed professional in line with Napoleon's instructions, and parts from other makers void the warranty. Registering is not required to make a claim, but keep your proof of purchase, model and serial number. Read the warranty section of the owner's manual for the full terms.
Read the warranty terms · Our warranty library · Register your fireplaceEvery document is kept on our site, so the link works when you need it. More are in our Napoleon manuals and documents.
A note on the photos. Napoleon’s photography often shows optional logs, covers and panels, and the flame colors are shown by the lighting. What ships with the fireplace is listed in the What you get table, and anything else is sold separately.
Ask us about your install