| "When I retire I'm going to spend my evenings by the | | | | fireplaces have a realistic flame effect, created with |
| fireplace going through those boxes. There are things | | | | randomized filtered lighting. It comes with a heater but |
| in there that ought to be burned." Richard Milhous Nixon | | | | the flame effect can also be used without the heater. |
| If this is what you want to do, sitting by your fireplace, | | | | A multifunctional remote control comes with each unit. |
| then you must get a regular, wood burning fireplace | | | | Then there are gel fuel fire places. They need neither |
| with a built in chimney. If you want to just relax and | | | | installation nor hook ups. They can be placed |
| enjoy the warmth, the look, the sound and even the | | | | anywhere in a home or cabin and can be taken along |
| smell of a real fire, then you have a choice in | | | | when one moves or spends time at a second home. |
| Fireplaces. | | | | Some people even take them outdoors on chilly |
| Besides the built in wood burning fireplace there are | | | | evenings. All one needs to do is light the special gel |
| also built in gas or propane fireplaces that require a | | | | and enjoy the crackling flames. The gel comes in pint |
| chimney for venting. They are hooked up to a gas line | | | | size cans and will burn from 2 to 3 hours, depending on |
| with a shut off valve. One simply turns it on, lights it and | | | | the humidity level of a home. The dryer the air, the |
| jazaam, an instant fire. Artificial logs on a crate and a | | | | longer the fire will burn. This gel fuel is a non-toxic |
| material that glows but does not burn can be added. It | | | | gelled alcohol made from organic thickeners and |
| looks similar to the real thing and creates plenty of | | | | Isopropyl Alcohol, that it is smokeless and odorless. It is |
| heat. Many people, who do not want to deal with | | | | safe, clean burning, no sparks, no fumes, no ashes. |
| carrying wood and ash clean-up, settle for this version. | | | | 100%environment friendly. Because it is an alcohol |
| Others are forced to it in towns like Phoenix, Az for | | | | product it can be safely stored indoors at room |
| example, where wood burning fireplaces may not be | | | | temperature or cooler. Another feature neither the |
| used on days when the ozone count is high. | | | | electric nor the gas fireplace offers, is the real crackling |
| Those who do not have a built in chimney can settle | | | | sound produced while the gel fuel burns. |
| for a ventless fireplace. Several versions are on the | | | | Through the use of scented candles, incense or oils |
| market. Non-vented natural gas fireplaces which also | | | | one can ad the smell of burning wood. |
| have to be connected to an available natural or | | | | Besides the wood burning, vented fireplace neither of |
| propane gas line. But they need no chimney. Most do | | | | the others mentioned will allow you to burn papers or |
| come with oxygen sensors that shut down the unit if | | | | anything else in them. Then again, neither will you have |
| the home oxygen level gets too low. In several states | | | | to clean up ashes. That in itself is a factor that decides |
| their installation is prohibited because of the dangers of | | | | people in their choice of a fireplace, it even makes |
| carbon dioxide build up, Another problem with these | | | | many buy a gel fueled fireplace insert which they use |
| fireplaces is excessive moisture condensation, since a | | | | in their vented fireplace instead of burning wood. |
| byproduct of gas combustion is water vapor. Fungus | | | | The author has a Home and Garden Decor business. |
| and mold infestation could result in additional serious | | | | She is excited that now anybody can own a fully |
| health problems. | | | | functional fireplace, whether they live in a house, an |
| A better solution is an electric fireplaces. It needs no | | | | apartment, a single room or even a cave. A chimney is |
| outside venting, just plug it into a 120 V outlet. Electric | | | | no longer needed. |