Gel Fireplaces Require No Chimney or Vent

8 February 2007

If you like the idea of a cozy crackling fire, but your home came with no chimney, perhaps a fireplace that burns on alcohol gel would be the way to go. An alternative to wood and gas, gel fuel comes in cans that burn for 2-3 hours before needing to be replaced. The fireplaces themselves don’t require a chimney or any other sort of venting, and the fuel is reputed to be odorless and smoke-free. You do need to buy a fireplace specifically meant to burn gel–you can’t just retrofit an existing unit–but prices start at a couple hundred dollars.

Gel fireplaces are an easy-to-maintain alternative to real wood-burning fireplaces, which aren’t always practical in condos, apartments, or motor homes. Many gel units are compact enough to be portable, so you can take your fireplace with you if the need arises. Cans of fuel are usually purchased by the pack, with prices running around $3 per can.

For more on gel fuel, check out the comments section of this post: Gel Fuel Information.