Any one "enlighten" me (excuse the pun). Saw a Gel Fire on PL on Monday. It looked great IMO. We have a working gas fire, chimney breast etc and want to keep fireplace as feature. Just thought it would be lovely though to get rid of chimney breast in bedroom upstairs and also in the loft room which is to be built soon. It would free up lots of space. Anyone got any opinions on these types of fires?
been a bit quiet on here pkb for a coupleof days...
I think you have seen a repeat of PL and the gel fire issue was discussed at the time - if you could find the thread then someone did post a link to a web site...
Overall I recall (though I may be remembering selectively) that the opinion was that they are an aesthetic choice and not a viable alternative to a 'real' heat source - they just don't give enough heat out (I think someone had scientific know-how on this too) and work out quite expensive.
Yes Reeny it was a repeat - I saw it on Monday night too. I tried earlier to look for the original thread about gel fires but we only go back as far as about September last year and I think it was before that!
I remember that discussion and think Reeny is right about the conclusions - ornamental rather than useful. But if that's what you want, then it's ideal!
Thanks everyone. I tried a search, and there was nothing, hence my post. I quite like the idea only because we don't use our gas fire. Three kids the youngest being 20 months and a big fan of candles!! I would not trust him with the real fire not even with a guard. I have boarded the front of it up and it has a child fire guard all the way round it and the candles sit on the hearth where they are out of reach. I want to keep the chimney breast downstairs, but like I said earlier, it would be great to get rid of in the bedroom upstairs and also in the loft to give a bigger space. I will have to look into this in a bit more detail.
There are loads of information and sale sites if you google for "gel fire uk" (without the quotes). I remember that I looked into these when I saw them on Property Ladder and went off the idea when I saw the price of the gel.
ok. The definitive answer ( as we are the suppliers and manufacturers). Some of you are right - gelfires are not a principal heat source - they are intended to be decorative and help create that ambiemce. cost have come down a lot recently and there are a wide variety of units available, from stright forward firebowls to wall hung fires in timber, stainless steel, corian and other materials.
A word of warning! Not all people selling gel really understand the fuel. Ours is totally organic - others claim to be but they are not> Just because it burns a biomass (Plant) derived alcohol doesnt make it clean. Its the carrier in the gel that defines how clean it is (or isnt). Watch out for isopropyl gels - they are often not very pleasant. And we would advise against liquid fuels - go for a fuel that has a thick consistency.
If you want more info visit our site at www.gelfire.co.uk. If you have any more questions just drop us an email. Cheers!
I would not trust him with the real fire not even with a guard. I have boarded the front of it up and it has a child fire guard all the way round it and the candles sit on the hearth where they are out of reach. I want to keep the chimney breast downstairs, but like I said earlier, it would be great to get rid of in the bedroom upstairs and also in the loft to give a bigger space. I will have to look into this in a bit more detail.
