Artificial Fireplaces and Gel Fuel



Posted: Sunday, September 26, 2010

by Ben Mester
Plan B Publishing

If your house doesn't already have a real one, an artificial fireplace is an interesting idea to think about. What good is a fireplace if you can't use it for fire you ask? Plenty. Every home has artificial structures that are pretty weak structurally, and only really enhance the beauty of the home. Things like baseboard and crown molding, even the drywall itself, these don't really enhance the structure of the home, but are more for the look. That's where artificial fireplaces come in. In economic times such as these, anything a homeowner can do to cheaply improve their home and increase its value to give them an edge over the competition is a great idea. Artificial fireplaces can do exactly that. A fireplace just seems like it gives a room more importance. In a family room, a bedroom, or even a large office, an artificial fireplace can really enhance the look. And even though artificial fireplaces aren't considered "real" that doesn't mean that they can't be used for something. Gel fuel for ventless fireplaces is a really cool new technology.

The terms artificial fireplace and ventless fireplace can be used synonymously. All artificial fireplaces are ventless anyway. But what a lot of people don't realize about an artificial fireplace is that it can still be quite functional. There is a new technology of fuel out on the market that combines isopropyl alcohol with other chemicals to turn it into a gel that will burn for many hours. When burned, this gel is both odorless and safe for indoor environments meaning that it doesn't give off any harmful gases. Not only that, but gel fuel also contains tiny pockets of oil that cause the fire to actually crackle, making it almost identical to a regular fireplace.

Just imagine for a moment how amazing it would be to have a fully functional fireplace that's both cheap and requires almost no installation. In fact, some of the ventless fireplaces have been designed to be standalone, meaning they have no installation whatsoever. They're heavy enough that you can just sit them against the wall and they'll stay in place, giving off the impression that they're build into the wall, adding depth and intrigue to an interior space.

That's why I really like the idea of artificial ventless fireplaces. I don't think you'll find that much bang for your buck anywhere else. Depending on how ornate you want to be, they can be really cheap. I'm especially intrigued by a style of standalone fireplace that's just a simple metal stand with rocks that sits out in the open ground and burns gel fuel. It's an interesting idea, but most homeowners probably don't have a large enough area in a room to put an artificial fireplace.

We all know that remodeling can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Sure you get a lot out of it, but who has that kind of money right now. There are so many simple things you can do yourself to enhance the interior spaces of your home. Even simple repainting can bring back the healthy glow of an aging room. Artificial fireplace are one of my most favorite simple additions to a room, because many of them are beautiful and ornate, and when installed in the right place, they give the place a great look. The only thing they lack is the same volume of heat that gas or wood fireplaces give off. But we all know that nothing beats bundling up next to a crackling fire on a cold rainy or snowy night.

I hope you enjoyed this article on artificial fireplaces. If you want to learn more about how to use them with gel fuel, read this article on gel fuel for ventless fireplaces.
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