Have you heard of a gel fuel fireplace insert before?
It’s not something you hear every day.
So let’s get into this and explain what this fireplace has and if is it good for your house.
Gel Fuel Fireplace Inserts for Your House?
Gel fuel how to use their safety and how they compare to what are gas fuels…
Let’s start by going over some general information about gel fuels, and then compare gel fuel to other fuels like wood and gas ok…
Because gel fuel is an alcohol-based gel, it doesn’t put out byproducts like wood paper and other.
Gel fuels are clean burning, which does not leave behind any soot or ashes.
And…
Putting off absolutely no smoke gel fuel is also environmentally friendly it burns with such little put-off.
That you don’t have to have a venting system and air quality within the room remains safe.
The only thing left behind after burning gel fuels is the can, which can be recycled if you love the ambience of dancing flames.
But if you hate the work of a real wood fire, then the gel fuel fireplace insert would be a great option for you, gel fuel is easy to use.
The flame height grows slowly as the fire longer the fire burns.
It’s also easy to put out by simply snuffing out the flame with the can’s lid.
You can also put out the can of gel fuel and continue to relight them until the can is empty gel fuel does produce heat.
However, there will be variances between brands, but gel fuel can produce between 1700 and 2500 BTUs per hour.
And has a burn time of 2 to 3 hours, it also is a great emergency backup because when power is out you can use gel fuel to produce heat.
As well as flame and those popping sounds whether you are trying to recreate a wood fire indoors or out.
That’s right…
Gel fuel can be used both indoors and outside…
Now we are talking!
And…
There are no flying embers to worry about, gel fuels do contain organic additives that create the popping sound of a real wood fire.
But don’t worry…
They are not going to pop or snap so hard that you need to be concerned with splattering gel fuel that covers the basic benefits of gel fuel.
Is Gel Fuel Safe
Yes…
Gel fuel is safe when used according to the directions it is important that you read and follow all the directions on the can prior to using the product.
You should always remove the label from the can and follow the same safety procedures as you would with any other fire.
It is after all a burning flame.
You should also only burn gel fuel in its original can and never try to add it into another container.
Does Gel Fuel Produce any Sensor Odours?
It has been noticed that some gel fuels do seem to have an odour sometimes.
And according to the manufacturers, those odours are not harmful.
And again, this is only once in a while the odour can be unpleasant to sensitive noses and there are some things that you can do to minimise the odour.
First, always make sure that you’re removing the label from the can before burning.
It also helps as the can sits the materials separate over time and the better is mixed the better it’s going to burn.
How Many Cans Can You Burn Indoors at One Time
Manufacturers say that you can burn up to three cans at one time indoors on a gel fuel fireplace insert
Now let’s take a moment to compare gel fuel to both wood and gas fires.
In comparison to a wood fire gel fuel will burn with a comparable flame and a realistic popping sound and crackling sound, gel fuel will also leave produce build-up.
Like soot or ashes, gel fuel also requires less manual labour.
The only lifting will be done when you bring your box in from delivery, unlike firewood which you have to continuously bring in and stack it.
Another major plus over wood is there’s no venting required with a gel fuel fireplace insert, so you don’t have to buy and install a pricey venting system like you would have to with a wood stove.
You can also start and stop a gel fire a lot faster than you can a wood fire when you compare gel fuel to a gas fire.
In the fuel’s favour, is that you don’t have to have a gas line providing a constant fuel source.
Gel fuel will also provide the authentic sounds of a wood fire whereas a gas fire will only replicate the flame not the sound of the gas.
Or of wood flame, gas fires also need to be vented where gel fuel does not if you are using propane.
Your flame is going to be blue rather than the orange flame of the more authentic wood fire, the lack of a venting system and fuel line makes it a great idea for more places around your house.
The gel fuel fireplace insert burns cleaner than gas, making it a less polluting fuel source.
The final consideration is that you don’t have to worry about filling your somewhat dangerous fumes should the gas line leak or be left on if a can of gel fuel is left open on lit it will just evaporate harmlessly over time.
Well…
What do you think of the gel fuel fireplace insert, then?
It sounds like a great idea for your house inside and out.
So, will you be thinking of adding this interesting source of heat to your household any time soon?