Best Ethanol Fireplace Insert
After many hours of research looking at the best ethanol fireplace inserts on the market, we have concluded that the Moda Flame Pro 36″ bio fireplace is the best ethanol fireplace insert available. It is well built and offers a 22,000 BTU heater, which gives off a good deal of heat.
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The Moda Flame Pro 36″ features a 7.4L capacity, and it can burn for up to 7 hours, depending on how you use it.
This alcohol fireplace will produce flames up to 12″ high and creates a great deal of wonder and ambiance. It can be used as both an indoor and outdoor ethanol fireplace and is portable, which is a huge plus.
For a full review of the Moda Flame Pro 36″, please see our Product Review section below.
Runner Up Best Ethanol Fireplace Inserts
The Moda Flame Pro 24″ is essentially the same unit as the Moda Flame Pro 36″, but is 2/3 the size. This unit offers 16,000 BTU of heat and has a 4.8-liter capacity. Like the Pro 36″, it has an adjustable damper to control heat output, and produces flames that lick up to 12″. The Moda Flame Pro 24″ ethanol fireplace burner insert can be used both indoor and out, though you should be careful that the unit is cool before moving.
For a full review of this unit, please take a look at our Product Reviews area below.
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Budget Pick: Best Bioethanol Fireplace Insert
The best budget ethanol fireplace insert is the Ignis EB1200. It is made of high grade 304 stainless steel and is very well built. This unit features a 12″ housing, a 6,000 BTU burner, and has 1.5L of capacity.
The Ignis EB1200 is a high-quality unit and is a good buy for its price. In fact, should you want more burning capacity than the EB1200 puts out, you could consider purchasing multiple units and using them in a line (e.g. three EB1200s vs. one Moda Flame Pro 36″).
The three EB1200s would put out a little bit less heat, but when spaced out, three units may look even nicer than one long unit.
For a thorough review of this product, please peruse our Product Reviews section below.
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Ethanol Ventless Fireplace Buyer’s Guide
Everyone loves fireplaces. There’s something about coming inside to find a dancing fire on a cold Winter’s day. It’s a mystical experience. Snuggling up with a loved one and a glass of wine near the fire is an experience for the ages. And on those cool autumn evenings, sitting outside by a chiminea or fire pit can be transcendent.
However, depending on the type of fireplace you have, there can be a lot of work involved before the fire is lit!
Shopping for wood, chopping it up, making sure it is properly seasoned and prepared for burning, cleaning up ash, and all the rest can put a damper on the joy of having a fireplace. It can feel more like work than leisure. Additionally, many people’s houses aren’t configured to have a wood or natural gas fireplace, and the cost of running gas lines or building masonry chimneys can easily run into the tens of thousands of dollars! Flues need to be periodically checked for safety, and repairs can be quite costly.
There is no need for ventilation for bioethanol burners, and no prep work needs to be done except to make sure you have some bioethanol fuel on hand. Ethanol is a clean-burning, environmentally friendly, and, in the right setup, can look super stylish.
If you are looking for general information and ideas on outdoor heating, be sure to check out our outdoor heating mega guide!
The Benefits of an Ethanol Fireplace
Warmth
Ethanol fireplaces provide heat and ambiance. Whether you’re looking to warm a room or to simply warm the spirits of you and your guests, an ethanol fireplace can work wonders.
Simplicity
As these units are free-standing, vent-free, and clean burning, they are the simplest way to get a fire feature into your patio, living room, or bedroom. No need for any plumbers or masons, electricians or handymen. You can get a beautiful fire feature simpler than any other option!
Efficiency
Bio-ethanol fuel is clean burning, and the only outputs are water vapor and carbon dioxide. The fuel burns as efficiently as any fuel can. Additionally, unlike traditional wood fireplaces or natural gas fireplaces, there is no flue for heat to leave. All of the heat produced stays in the room (well, when you’re using the fireplace outside, the heat stays outside!).
Environmental Friendliness
Ethanol fuel is a renewable resource and is one of the most environmentally friendly ways of providing heat. Though biofuel fireplaces are not typically used as primary heating mechanisms, it may mean that you’ll be able to rely much less on your oil burner or gas burner on those cold winter days and supplement your traditional heating system with a bio ethanol burner to warm up your room.
Ventless Fireplace Insert Heat Output
The amount of heat these fireplaces radiate depends on many factors, such as the current room temperature, the quality of the fuel chosen, the size and height of the room, etc. Depending on the size of the burner, these fireplaces can certainly heat up a sizable room (though largely as a supplement, as opposed to primary heating). Further down, we discuss how to determine the right size unit for your needs.
Portability
Ethanol fireplaces are portable! They require no electricity, no fixed plumbing, and no ventilation, so you can take your eco fireplace anywhere. You could use the same burner in your coffee table in the living room that you use outside on the patio.
Should you plan on using our ethanol fireplace outdoors (and we definitely suggest you do!) you’ll need to pay attention to the weather, and the placement of the unit. Generally, these fireplaces are not designed to withstand rain or snow, and the housing can get damaged by water. The fuel reservoir may get mixed with water when the rain comes as well, and that is not helpful either.
Finally, be sure that no flammable objects are near the fireplace when it is outdoors. Wind can blow the flames around, and you want to make sure that nothing nearby can get damaged.
Determine Your Ethanol Burning Fireplace Needs
Consider if you are looking for a fireplace primarily for aesthetics, or for heating purposes. If you are looking to use it to put out a significant amount of heat, calculate a rough approximation of the heating output needed.
Aesthetics
If you are looking mostly for aesthetics, you can probably go with a smaller fireplace insert. These units don’t put off as much heat as larger units do, but they also burn less fuel and are less costly.
Calculating Heat Output and Room Sizing
If you want a fireplace to produce a good deal of heat, perhaps in a drafty room or enclosed patio, you’ll probably want to look at one of the larger units, over 10,000 BTU. Depending on the room size you’re working with, these will do. In our reviews, we try to give an idea of the appropriate room size for each unit.
This handy BTU calculator will show you how much heat these units will put out, and will give you an idea of the size you’ll want for your ethanol heater.
Sample Room Calculation
Price
Consider your price point, and think about how frequently you will be using the fireplace. That way, you can add in additional estimates for fuel costs. However, in many cases, you will be able to subtract some traditional heating costs (gas or oil heat) as you won’t need your main heating system so much if you’re using the ethanol fireplace.
These units can vary from under $100 to into the thousands, though most of the units in our list today are under $500.
Safety
You should periodically inspect your fireplace to ensure that it is functioning properly, with no holes, obstructions, or surprises that shouldn’t be there. Be sure that you fill the unit with fuel according to the instructions, and not while the burner is going. Ignition of spilled fuel could cause a major fire, and do great damage to property and persons.
Children and Pets
Many of these fireplaces can be inserted into a table, placed on a tabletop or on the floor, or hung on a wall within reach of children or pets. Be sure that the little ones understand that these items are not to be played with, and be sure that kids and pets are monitored while near these units. Bumping the fireplace, turning it over and spilling fuel (even when shut off), and damaging the fireplace may cause a leak or other hazard.
For safety, if you have children or pets, a fireplace with glass panels may be a good choice.
Ethanol fuel is alcohol, and as such, can be drunk. It will make you drunk, too! Ethanol is not methanol, which can blind or kill those that drink it, but users should not in any way try to drink ethanol fuel. It is typically mixed with a bittering agent to make it taste bad, but we want users to be aware that their fuel is not mean to be swallowed, and could be harmful.
Air Quality
Bio-ethanol fireplaces are clean burning fire features, but you should always be aware of the air quality in the room you’ve got a fire in (even with wood and LP gas fireplaces, this is a concern).
If you are in a small room with poor air flow, you may want to open a door or window to allow air to flow into the space. Bath vents or other fans may be a good idea to help circulate oxygen and keep the fire burning well, as well as the air quality up to par. If airflow is poor, combustion may be incomplete, resulting in the production of chemicals other than water and carbon dioxide.
Should you feel any dizziness, headache, wooziness, or discomfort while using an ethanol burning fireplace, open the windows and get some fresh air immediately. Shut down the fire, and leave the room. Once you are feeling better, diagnose the problem and remedy the situation.
Unit Placement
Proper Fueling Technique
It is best to use a funnel to fuel most alcohol burning fireplaces. This will ensure that the bio ethanol fuel goes into the proper reservoir, and no flammable material spills out into the environment where it can do damage. Of course, we always recommend you follow the manufacturer’s instructions when it comes to filling the unit and using proper ethanol for fireplaces, but in general, it is wise to use a funnel.
- No-mess splash guard
- Fits all sizes of filler tubes
- Extended filler neck opens gas tank trap door
- Features peg hole for easy hang option
- Versatile design for multiple liquid applications including trans...
Last update on 2024-11-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Proper Mounting and Setup
Be sure that your fireplace is properly set up and mounted before lighting it. If it is improperly seated, it could collapse, fall off of a wall (in the case of a wall mounted fireplace), or otherwise tumble, resulting in the possibility of puncture of the fuel tank, or other significant hazards.
Additionally, the frames of these units get quite hot and can radiate a significant amount of heat. If you plan on building a housing around your ethanol fireplace, or plan on inserting them into a table or other object, be sure that you take the proper heat shielding precautions.
You should surround the unit with heat-protected materials like concrete, ceramic tile or natural stone, fire-resistant sheetrock, or any other protective materials. Don’t just put one of these inserts in a wooden table and forget about it, as you may end up with scorch marks, or worse!
Follow the manufacturer instructions for mounting and setup before use.
Product Quality
Most ethanol fireplaces are built to international quality standards, but it’s always wise to consider the quality of individual units and manufacturers. If the manufacturer offers a warranty, that is certainly encouraging, as they are willing to stand behind their products. If a manufacturer does not offer a warranty, that may be a sign that the fireplace isn’t such a good choice.
Evaporation
Generally, we recommend not leaving excess fuel in a bio-ethanol fireplace if it can be avoided.
Ethanol as a Fuel Source
Bioethanol is a purer fuel source, is completely renewable, environmentally friendly, and produces no outputs other than water vapor and carbon dioxide. These fuels generally are mixed with a bittering agent to make them taste bad, and to prevent people from imbibing them, children from drinking them, etc.
Environmental Friendliness
Bio-ethanol is ethyl alcohol and is made by fermenting crop waste, silage, and grasses. These are mixed in order to make an alcohol solution that is a renewable resource. The waste products of corn, switchgrass, wheat, hemp, potato, soybeans, etc., get mixed in solution and fermented.
These waste products find a second life as a fuel source, and allow users of ethanol fireplaces to heat their spaces without using harmful chemicals, or otherwise harming the environment. Using the cellulose fibers to produce ethanol fuel means that farmers aren’t fermenting actual food crops, but just the waste products of those crops.
Outputs of Burning
When burned in an oxygen-rich environment (which you should have!), the only outputs of burning ethanol fuel are water and carbon dioxide. There should be no odors, no harmful chemicals, no carbon monoxide, etc. However, we do recommend you ensure that the fuel you burn is the correct fuel for your unit.
Other Sources of Ethanol
One of the concerns about ethanol as a fireplace fuel is the cost of the fuel. Each manufacturer specifies the fuel to be used in each unit, and we suggest you follow their instructions.
However, denatured alcohol, which is commonly found in hardware stores relatively inexpensively, is essentially the same as these more expensive branded fuels. We can’t recommend that you use denatured alcohol as a fuel (and certainly do not recommend that you use Everclear, vodka, rubbing alcohol, etc.!) but should you find yourself without fuel, and see denatured alcohol at the hardware store… well…
Enough said.
Alcohol Fireplace Insert Reviews
This article looks in particular at ethanol fireplace inserts. These units can sit on top of a table, or on the ground, but they can also be built into a table, media center wall, bench, or any other flat place where you might want to have a fire.
Should you be interested in tabletop fireplaces, check out our tabletop ethanol fireplace guide here.
Environmentally friendly, attractive, and usable anywhere, these stunning fireplaces are popping up everywhere. Take a look at the items on our list and figure out which one would work best in your house! We’ll start with a comparison table to get the lay of the land, and then go in depth, looking at each ethanol fireplace insert individually.
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Moda Flame Pro 36″ Ethanol Fireplace Burner Insert
The Moda Flame Pro 36″ Ethanol Fireplace Burner Insert is the largest unit on our list, and it puts out a whopping 22,000 BTUs of heat!
Like the 24″ Pro unit, this includes a metal arm to help adjust the damper, which can be attenuated to get just the right quantity of flame and just the right amount of heat for your needs.
Dimensions and Capacity
- Width: 36″
- Length: 3.7″
- Height: 7.4″
- Capacity: 7.4L
- Recommended Clearances Around the Burner:
- Front: 2″
- Rear: 1.5″
- Side: 4″
- Overhead: 30″
The Details
The Moda Flame Pro 36″ burner can warm a room up quite nicely. By using the room calculator, you can get a sense for how much heat will be produced by the ModaFlame 24″ Pro. This unit produces 22,000 BTU of heat, so by using the room size BTU calculator, it should heat a 20’x20’x10′ room, insulated to poor conditions, approximately 20 degrees.
Should you wish to build this unit into a box, be sure you use a fire-resistant material such as ceramic/natural stone, aluminum duct insulation, fire rated sheetrock, etc.
The Pro Model of the Moda Flame unit differs from the standard models in three significant ways. The housing is double thickness steel in the pro version.
In the Moda Flame Pro line, the ceramic wool wick is all in place upon arrival. Lastly, these units have an easily adjustable damper which controls the amount of flame, and the quantity of fuel being used. A metal rod is included to enable users to tweak the amount of flame as needed.
These units work great outside and can be moved in and out as needed. However, you should not leave them out in the weather, as water can damage the finish and mix with the fuel, neither of which is good! Take them in when there’s rain in the forecast, though be sure that the unit is not hot when you’re moving it.
The Bottom Line
The Moda Flame Pro 36″ ethanol fireplace insert is a great bioethanol burner. It looks beautiful and functions well.
It puts out a pretty decent amount of supplemental heat and will be the talk of your gathering when it is softly glowing.
We highly recommend these units and find them captivating.
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Moda Flame Pro 24″ Ethanol Fireplace Burner Insert
The Moda Flame Pro 24″ Ethanol Fireplace Burner Insert is a large, substantial biofuel fireplace that is perfect for a larger space where more heating capacity is needed.
It is of similar design to the smaller 12″ burners on this list, but is a much more potent burner, clocking in at 24″ and 16,000 BTU of heating power.
This unit includes a damper for easy closing of the unit when you’re done using it.
Dimensions and Capacity
- Width: 24″
- Length: 3.7″
- Height: 7.4″
- Capacity: 4.8L
- Recommended Clearances Around the Burner:
- Front: 2″
- Rear: 1.5″
- Side: 4″
- Overhead: 30″
The Details
The Moda Flame Pro 24″ burner can put out some pretty decent heat. By using the calculator, you can get a sense for how much heat will be produced by the ModaFlame 24″ Pro. This unit produces 16,000 BTU of heat, so by using the room size BTU calculator, it should heat a 20’x20’x20′ room, insulated to average conditions, approximately 20 degrees.
If you plan on building this unit into a box, we recommend you use a fire-resistant material such as ceramic/natural stone, aluminum duct insulation, fire rated sheetrock, etc.
The Pro Model of the Moda Flame unit differs in a few major areas that make it significantly superior to the standard models. The steel is double thickness in these units, compared to the standard model.
Additionally, the ceramic wool is built into the burner, which helps conserve fuel.
Finally, the damper works much more effectively and can be attenuated (adjusted) to tweak the amount of flame, and the quantity of fuel being used. A metal rod is included to help adjust the damper when the fire is lit.
If you are planning on using this unit outdoors, it will work excellently. However, Moda Flame does not recommend exposing the Pro 24″ ethanol fireplace insert to rain or the elements. Water can damage the unit, and you don’t want to get water into the fuel tank, so if rain is in the forecast, don’t use this fireplace insert outside.
The Bottom Line
The Moda Flame Pro 24″ ethanol fireplace insert is quite functional, beautiful, and can put out a decent amount of heat.
Moda Flame recommends you use Moda Flame ethanol fuel to ensure that the fuel is odorless, smokeless, and clear, but you may want to check out other ethanol fuels to find your favorite.
The Moda Flame should burn for 7-9 hours, but as mentioned before, you can adjust the opening to get the heat output and flame quantity just to your liking, which may extend the fuel life.
The 24″ Moda Flame Pro unit is very nice, and works great for ambiance and heat!
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Ignis EB1200 Ethanol Fireplace Burner Insert
The Ignis EB1200 Ethanol Fireplace Burner insert is made of 304 stainless steel and comes in two different options: the standard unit as shown here, and a unit surrounded by a grate, which is designed to be used in a typical wood burning fireplace.
Should you want to burn ethanol instead of wood in your existing fireplace, click here, but for this review we assume you intend to use the ethanol fireplace insert outside of a traditional fireplace.
This unit is 6,000 BTU heater and has a 1.5-liter fuel capacity, similar to the other 12″ units on our list.
Dimensions and Capacity
- Width: 11.25″
- Length: 5″
- Height: 3.25″
- Capacity: 1.5L
- Dimensions of fuel canister: 10″ x 4″
- Flame Opening: 7 1/8″ x 1″
The Details
The Ignis EB1200 burns with flames up to 12″ high, depending on the amount of oxygen supplied in the room. It produces a decent amount of heat and using our calculator, it will raise the temperature of a 15′ x 10′ x 10′ room, poorly insulated, by 10 degrees.
Ignis recommends you use their biofuel in these ethanol fireplaces, to ensure that the unit burns cleanly, with no smoke, soot, odor, or other issues.
Should you desire to build this unit into a housing, we recommend using non-flammable materials like ceramic, natural stone, or fire-resistant sheetrock. While it may be tempting to put this unit right into a wooden table (or on a wooden table!) we would suggest keeping a heat shield between the burner and the table for safety purposes.
When filling the unit, we suggest you use a funnel and do not fill the fuel above the MAX line drawn in the reservoir. Unlike some of the other 12″ units on this list, the Ignis EB1200 can be attenuated with the metal bar, and the unit can be partially closed.
The Ignis EB1200 can be used indoors or outdoors, though it is not weatherproof, so be sure to take it inside when the weather gets dicey. And don’t try to move it when it’s hot!
The Bottom Line
The Ignis EB1200 is made of a higher grade stainless steel than the Elite Flame and Moda Flame 12″ models, and therefore is a slightly better unit. Additionally, the quantity of flame can be manually adjusted, as opposed to being only on or off like the Moda Flame.
To clean the Ignis, wait until it is cooled and spray it with any stainless steel cleaner. Wipe it with a cloth, and you’re good to go.
The Ignis EB1200 is our favorite of the 12″ models on this list, and we highly recommend it. It is a great budget option for an ethanol fireplace insert.
- Ventless Indoor & Outdoor Ethanol Fireplace Burner | Burns Cleanly |...
- Grade 304 Brushed Stainless Steel | Dual 3mm Layer | Spill-Proof
- Real Fire | Real Warmth (6,000 BTU) | No Smoke, No Odor, No Ash
- Adjust Flame Intensity | Requires Area of 1,200 Cubic Feet | No...
- 3 Year Warranty | Leading US Brand Since 2011 | Patent USPTO...
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Elite Flame 12 Inch Ventless Ethanol Fireplace Burner Insert
The Elite Flame 12″ ventless ethanol fireplace burner insert is a simple, minimal ethanol fireplace made of double layered 430 stainless steel in a brushed finish.
Dimensions and Capacity
- Width: 11.8″
- Length: 4.9″
- Height: 3.2″
- Capacity: 1.5L
The Details
The EliteFlame supplies 6,000 BTU of power, and the flames project 12″-14″ from the unit. When full, the fire burns for about 4-6 hours, and it has a capacity of 1.5L.
The flame starts out a bit weak, but after it is burning for a few minutes, it produces a robust and attractive flame. The box can get pretty hot, so if you are planning on inserting it into a piece of furniture, you should anticipate that heat. If used as a tabletop unit, you may want to place a piece of ceramic tile underneath it to buffer the heat.
The Elite Flame Ventless Bio Ethanol Fireplace burns Elite Flame ethanol fuel and requires no electrical, plumbing, or ventilation in order to get it set up. Elite Flame ethanol is soot free, smokeless, and odorless, and the only products of combustion are CO2 and water.
Ideally, this should be used in an environment with a decent supply of oxygen. If this is being used in a small, enclosed space, crack open a window or open the door to another room if necessary.
To give an idea of how much heat this unit will pull off, let us use the calculator to estimate a room that is 25 x 20 x 10, and insulated to normal conditions. To heat that room up 10 degrees, approx. 6,000 BTU of heat per hour is needed, which is what the EliteFlame supplies.
The Bottom Line
You simply pour the fuel into the reservoir and ignite this unit with a lighter.
When used outside, it will mostly be for ambiance as opposed to heating, as the outdoors will dissipate the heat rapidly. However, the Elite Flame excels at being atmospheric.
It should not be left outside in inclement weather, as the finish can be harmed by the elements. Also, be aware that in windy environments, the flames can really blow (they’re long!) and you should be sure that there is nothing flammable nearby. To clean the Elite Flame unit, periodically wipe it down with some stainless steel cleaner and a cloth, when the unit is completely cool.
This is a nice ethanol fireplace, simple and well built. If you’re looking mainly for ambiance, the Elite Flame 12″ Ventless Ethanol Fireplace will do well!
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Moda Flame 12″ Ventless Ethanol Fireplace Burner Insert
The Moda Flame 12″ Ventless Ethanol Fireplace Burner Insert is a nice choice by one of the top names in the ethanol fireplace market. It is built of double layered 430 stainless steel, with a brushed finish.
The Moda Flame includes a damper for closing the unit when needed.
Dimensions and Capacity
- Width: 11.8″
- Length: 4.9″
- Height: 3.2″
- Capacity: 1.5L
- Dimensions of fuel canister: 10″ x 4″
- Flame Opening: 7″ x 1″
The Details
The Moda Flame 12″ insert will produce a steady flame 4″-8″ high, with dancing flames up to 12″, and occasional bursts up to 16″ high. The unit has 6,000BTU of heating capacity. It’s very easy to operate, just open it and light it with a lighter.
To understand how much heat the Moda Flame unit will output, let us use the calculator to estimate a room that is 15 x 10 x 10, and insulated to poor conditions. To heat that room up 10 degrees, approx. 6,000 BTU of heat per hour is needed, which is what the Moda Flame supplies.
The Moda Flame will burn for about 4-6 hours when full, and has a capacity of 1.5L. It is recommended to burn Moda Flame ethanol fuel with this unit, which is smokeless, odor free, and clean burning. This fuel produces only CO2 and water when burned, and requires no vent. Moda Flame recommends you make sure there’s a decent supply of oxygen when the Moda Flame is operating.
When you want to fuel this, you simply pour the fuel into the slot, but only when the unit is not hot.
The box itself, including the flange, gets fairly hot after this has been burning for a while. You may not want to insert this into a wood table without any heat protection, as it could mar the wood. Using some duct insulation (fireproof) would help buffer the table from the unit. You could also use a piece of ceramic tile to buffer the heat if you are placing this unit on a table top.
The Moda Flame uses a fabric “wick” that is inserted into the unit to aid in combustion. It is best to simply leave the fabric inside and not touch it.
The Bottom Line
The Moda Flame 12″ ventless ethanol insert works well if you aren’t looking to produce a lot of heat, but rather to make a pleasing environment.
This unit can be used free-standing, or it can be inserted into a custom frame. It should have a heat sink device around it, something ceramic or with fire-proof insulation, as the frame gets hot. To clean the Moda Flame, simply spray some stainless steel cleaner on it, and wipe it with a cloth. Be sure the housing is cold before you attempt to clean it.
The Moda Flame 12″ is a nice unit, and will provide a pleasant atmosphere when lit.
- Double Layered 430 Stainless Steel; Indoor or outdoor safe
- Burner: double layer 1.5L stainless steel burner
- BTU: 6,000; Flame 12 - 14” High
- Burn Time: Approximately 6-8 Hours
- Dimensions: 11.25W x 5D x 3.5H
Last update on 2024-11-21 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I’m sold on the Ignis EB(G?) 1200, but I want to put it in an existing vented fireplace situated behind/beneath ceramic logs, so that the burner really isn’t visible. Do you have any suggestions as to how to do this (a photo?) or an opinion as to whether this can even be done? Many thanks!
I am not sure but if that project works out please send pictures. It sounds like a neat idea.