Friday, August 12, 2011

What's An Artificial Fireplace And Why Should I Buy One?

By Ben Mester


Artificial fireplaces, often referred to as ventless fireplaces, are a development that's starting to gain tons of popularity. Utilizing a compound known as gel fuel, which is in general an isopropyl alcohol based fuel, artificial fireplaces are still able to deliver not simply the aesthetic value of a standard fireplace, but can also contain the fire itself.

How's that possible, since artificial fireplaces don't have a vent? This is where the isopropyl alcohol is useful. Due to the molecular structure of isopropyl alchohol, when it burns, it does not produce any toxic or dangerous fumes. It burns pure, not giving off any scents or harmful chemicals.

Cans of gel fuel are placed in the artificial fireplace's aparatus, and then lit on fire. Each can burns for roughly three hours and provides both the beauty and heat that comes from a fire. Though not nearly as warm as a normal fireplace that burns either wood or natural gas, gel fuel still puts out a reasonably high level of BTUs.

For folks who want the beauty and aesthetic value of an inside fire, but don't have a conventional fireplace an artificial fireplace can be an excellent path to take. They are pretty inexpensive to buy and don't require any installation generally, unless you purchase the in-wall model. Most slide nicely and seamlessly up against the wall and bring a home the beauty of a traditional fireplace, and the power to house real fire without having to fool around with installing a vent.

The sole possible downside that I can find to an artificial fireplace is that gel fuel can be costlier than wood or natural gas. So if you plan on using your artificial fireplace frequently you will want to take that factor into consideration. But apart from that, ventless fireplaces are an awesome invention, cheaply and easily bringing the beauty of a nice fire into your home.




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