Gel Flame Fireplaces – What You May Not Know About Gel Flame Fireplaces
Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010If you have been looking for a gel flame fireplace for your home, you may be wondering if it is the right choice for you. Many people have bought one of these fireplaces for their homes over the last twenty plus years, so it makes sense to learn from the experience of others. They have their pros and cons, so let’s take a closer look.
1. Gel Flame Fireplaces do not give off much heat.
Since I have two of these appliances in my home, take it from me, it is not a good source of heat for your home. After doing a lot of research on them, I found lots of information on the subject that suggested that these fireplaces put out enough heat to comfortably warm a room. This is simply not the case. I guess if you lived in South Florida and you wanted to knock the chill out of a room on a cool January morning, they would be perfect. The appeal of these appliances is the ambient lighting and mood setting. They are perfect for that application.
2. How expensive are the replacement fuel cans?
Cans filled with gelled alcohol is where these unique fireplaces get their source of fuel for burning to make the fireplace experience complete. When these cans are completely empty, you must buy additional cans of fuel to maintain your new appliance. It is not a good idea to refill these cans.
Most if not many of the popular models are intended to use three cans of fuel for the experience to be complete. You can expect to get at the very most three hours of use for each can. You can see that it will not take long to consume several cans over just a few days. You do not need to burn three cans at once. I have found that using one can at a time serves me very well.
One of my models is designed to burn three cans at a time, and if I have company, I always burn three. Yes, this can get expensive, but if you buy in bulk, the cost can hurt a little less.
3. Are they expensive to purchase?
Yes, some gel flame fireplace models can be very expensive. Some models can be well over $500. But high quality and very attractive models can be found for much less. There are small personal sized models for even less. Want a quick tip? The smallest models burn a smaller can of gel fuel. The small cans are much more affordable.
I am sure that you are wondering if I would recommend these unique fireplaces to others. Yep, the one that I have in my living room is the main conversation piece when I have friends over for dinner. When someone sees my fireplace for the first time, they are loaded with questions and I am happy to answer.
Choosing the right Gel Flame Fireplace for your home can be an enjoyable experience. Visit Gel Flame Fireplaces and see for yourself if Gel Flame Fireplaces are the right choice for you.
