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free standing fireplaces

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Ok- i have a product question-

I saw these cool fireplaces on the home network last night. The are free standing units, which burn cans of an alchol based substance. they don't require chimneys or vents of any kind. The company claims they don't produce any harmful gasses (due to the product being burnt). Does any one have any experience with these fireplaces? They are VERY budget friendly, and if they work well and look good, they'd be a great way to have fireplace(s) in my home. I'm just a little leary,as I'd never heard of them before...

Anyone have any experience or input on these?

Here is the link to the companies website:
http://www.outofthewoodsfireplaces.com/

Karen Smile
I haven't heard of these either. I'll have to go and check them out!!
Ok I looked at the website... I would print out the part where is tells about how it works and what it burns and how it is ventless and go to your local town building department and talk to the inspector (you may have to make an appointment as some towns have part timers)

Some locals don't allow ventless but it's burning some different fuel so better check it out. See if there is a show room near you so you can feel and see the heat too!
Ah... good call! I never even thought that there might be a restriction re: ventless fireplaces! Luckily, there is a showplace by me... I'll go there and take a peek! Thanks,

Karen Smile
I have seen these at the Boston Gift Show which is a wholesale trade show, selling all manner of knick knacks and other stuff. The show is held here each fall and is very large, taking over an entire convention center.

At a "wholesale+" kind of cost, I think they were in the $350 range. I say it was wholesale+ because I think the guy was very happy to sell onesies at the show to offset his show costs.

They burn large cans of something that is reminiscent of Sterno. In the gel there must be some purposely placed "impurities" that cause a crackling sound as the stuff burns.

I think the cans of stuff are about $10 a piece, which seemed really high to me, as they were showing the fireplaces with two burning at once.(The fireplaces with the cans burning did throw some substantial heat, but I don't think it was $20 worth! Smile )
Yeah- its an initial, vs ongoing cost issue...

Wood burning- ridiculously expensive to install, not too bad cost wise once installed, and it smells yummy! Although you have to keep up on the chimney cleaning, the ashes are a mess, the sparks are dangerous (thank goodness for screens) esp. if there are little hands or fuzzie people involved.

Gas- a little more moderate to install, no ash mess, more convienent then wood burning, gas is a little pricey but not too bad (although I find it kinda disconcerting that I could blow up my entire house if there's a leak- I'm trying to stay away from gas appliaces too, I'm kind of a wimp)

Free standing- cheap, moveable installation, fuel is safe, with no yucky fumes, but then the fuel is $$...

Decisions, decisions!

Ron wrote:

I think the cans of stuff are about $10 a piece, which seemed really high to me, as they were showing the fireplaces with two burning at once.(The fireplaces with the cans burning did throw some substantial heat, but I don't think it was $20 worth! Smile )

The cans cost $79.00 for 24 13oz cans. That's $3.29 each ! Now THAT'S cheap!!

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