Gel Fireplaces?

[supernova]

Does anyone have any opinions on these? I'd appreciate any info you would have to share.


They are appealing to me for several reasons. They are manageable for a one person (female) household. There is no need to gather and keep firewood; sterno is kinda cheap for the amount of time I'd use it, and they are clean burning, being based on alcohol, usually.

I was looking for something to use is a possible:

1) architectural interest

2) backup heat source for a limited power outage. (Summer is doable. But anything overnight in winter and I'm in hotel land. lol)

http://www.ventless-gel-fireplace.com/


edit: spelling

[Warpy]

1. As a heat source, they're a flop

because alcohol doesn't burn that hot. Oh, a can of Sterno will boil a pan of water set directly over it, but get a couple of feet away and you won't feel much.

If all you're looking for is herbal romance, gel fireplaces are great.

Putting in a fireplace that will be a secondary heat source is a little more ambitious. There are gas fireplaces that will do the trick nicely. They require exterior venting but not a chimney.