Sitting in front of a fireplace during cold winters and staring at its dancing flames can be soothing and tranquil, but fireplaces can be messy and difficult to maintain. Fireplaces aren’t so easy to install, which is why manufacturers are developing alternatives. Most fireplaces run on wood or gas, but there is a new range of fireplaces; gel fuel fireplaces.
Gel fueled fireplaces use alcohol-based gel to produce the flames. They are different than traditional wood-burning or gas-burning fireplaces in the sense that these types of fireplaces are nearly mess-free. Gel fuel fireplaces are growing in popularity among homeowners looking to install fireplaces in their living rooms.
But don’t discard your wood-burning or gas-powered fireplace just yet, as gel fuel fireplaces come with their own sets of advantages and shortcomings. We suggest you consider both the pros and cons of installing a gel fuel fireplace in your house before you dish out your hard-earned cash on one of them.
The Pros
This article will focus both on the advantages and disadvantages of owning a gel fuel fireplace. For the sake of this article, let’s first discuss the challenges you might face with a fireplace like this one. Later, we will delve into the advantages of a gel fuel fireplace. Let’s begin.
Clean fuel
Fuel burnt in gel fuel fireplaces doesn’t emit any smoke or hazardous fumes. This makes gel fuel fireplaces very clean, safe, and environment-friendly. You can’t always say that for other kinds of fireplaces such as wood-burning or gas fireplaces.
No need for ventilation
You don’t need to install any ventilation when you install a gel fuel fireplace. This means that you can place your gel fuel fireplace anywhere you fancy. You can also install them permanently in one place or keep them mobile, whatever fits your home or lifestyle.
Long lasting fuel cans
The fuel cans that are being used in gel fuel fireplaces can keep on burning for a very long time. You don’t have to tend your fireplace now and then to the flames blazing. A typical can of fuel can burn for nearly four hours.
Decorative value
Many homeowners buy gel fuel fireplaces mainly for decorative purposes. Gel fuel fireplaces are considered decorative centerpieces in high-end homes, hotels, and business establishments. We won’t say these fireplaces look very aesthetically pleasing, don’t get me wrong here—they are still very elegant, but it’s the flames of these fireplaces. The light and color of the flames are simply fantastic and splendid.
Cost-effective and low maintenance
Gel fuel fireplaces aren’t exactly cheap; at least, it is not something you can afford to buy every other year. But, the fuel and maintenance cost is low. The fuel cans are very affordable, and you can save more on fuel if you buy them in bulk amounts. Besides, gel fuel fireplaces need little to no maintenance.
Energy efficiency
As we said earlier, gel fuel fireplaces don’t require any form of venting systems, like other fireplaces, so you can put them inside closed rooms. Besides, very little heat is lost in gel fuel fireplaces. As a result, your rooms will be heated faster during the chilly winter months.
The Cons
Apart from the gel fuel fireplaces pros, it has some drawbacks as well, though not so much, you might take a look at these as well.
Flames cannot be regulated
There is no procedure to regulate or control the intensity of flames a gel fuel fireplace produces. Homeowners might also find it harder to extinguish the fire.
Low heat
Unlike wood-burning or gas fireplaces, gel fuel fireplaces don’t produce much heat. It works great for small rooms, but for large spaces, the heat transmission is lesser than the traditional. Most gel fuel fireplace only emits a mere 2-3 Kilowatt of heat.
Refueling
Gel fuel fireplaces aren’t fuel-efficient fireplaces, and they consume a lot of fuel to keep burning. But the good thing is the fuel is cheap. However, it’s easy to get annoyed if you have to refuel your fireplace 2-3 times if you want it burning for the whole afternoon or night.
Despite a few drawbacks that every fireplace has, it can be a smart move for modern homeowners. The fuel is energy-efficient, cost-effective, smoke & odorless. Most importantly, it is environmentally friendly. It will not only give your home a cozy look but also keep your home clean and fresh for you and your guests.
