I cannot comment on the fireplaces - we have a small table-top ceramic firepit that uses gel fuel. We love it, but it uses a LOT of fuel - and it is expensive. I don't know how much a fireplace would use. I would check amount of time a certain amount of fuel will give you.

Thanks n-g-t. That gives me something to think about. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I realize that it would be nice to stand in front of a toasty fireplace on a cold morning. I doubt I'd want to mess with opening a can every time I wanted a little heat. Maybe I should look into the electric models instead. Hmmmm... I will have to do more research.

Spitfire, we used that bottle of gel in about two evenings.
We have a ventless fireplace in our family room. Some people who read this will be horrified. They have gotten a horrid rap by some reviews.
We chose it because we had a regular fireplace. Besides being dirty, it literally sucked all of the heat out of the house. Our family room is on the end of the house and we could feel about a 10 degree drop just walking through the kitchen - then going up the stairs it was like a wind tunnel.
Then we got a vented fireplace. It was better, but still sucked so much heat out. Plus the vent was open and even when closed, cold air was coming in. Our family room is the furthest room from the furnace and on a cement slab - and we are in northern Ohio --- some really cold winters.
Anyway, we bought a ventless and DH sealed the chimney. Now even with the fireplace off, it is so much warmer in there. We only use the fireplace when we are there - and usually just for a bit in the evening. It throws a lot of heat. I would not ever leave it on and go to sleep, but for our purposes it works just fine.
I don't know about the electrics - or if you could use a ventless --- I am sure there are many possibilities out there. For the cost of the gel fireplace, I am sure you can find something that will toast your toes on cold mornings!! Good luck in your pursuit!!

Spitfire, I don't know anything about gel fireplaces, but we just put a vented gas fireplace in our new house. I love "real" wood fireplaces, but a lot of maintenance and not very energy efficient. There are a lot of options as far as size and style in gas fireplaces now. And the newer electric fireplaces might be a neat option. When we were travelling last December, we saw one in a hotel that was spectacular. I kept looking and looking at it, and one of the attendants was very amused. He only spoke Chinese, so we had a time communicating through sign language. It looked very realistic, except it was built into one of the walls, about 18" high and maybe 10 feet wide. Very contemporary, but stunning and really looked flamelike.

In our house we did a lot of masonry around the gas fireplace to make it more traditional. We went vented because our house is insulated so well with newer insulation and windows, ventless do produce gasses. I don't think this would be as critical if you had an older house with leaks around windows, etc. They are not permitted in some states because of the gassing, and this concerns us especially since we have young children. But no-green-thumb seems very careful in usage, so you might want to look into these options.

By the way, I saw a place online that has candles that actually have real wood-burning fireplace scent...am thinking about getting someof these for "atmosphere" when we use our fireplace. I'll look later and see ifI can find and post the link for you.

Hope this helps!

Amy (who just finished ordering for the mudroom--thank you so much!)

Thanks for all the insight.

So, do you think a fireplace (regardless of fuel) like the one in the link would look okay? I would like for it to appear to be built-in but actually be easy to remove. I don't plan to move for many, many years, but when we do move, I'm sure the next owner will want to use that wall for a long dresser. We are currently using borrowed MBR furniture. I am ready to buy my own, but I don't really want the traditional triple-dresser and chest-of-drawers set. I picture a fireplace directly across from the bed with a comfortable upholstered bench or settee at the foot of the bed. In a recessed niche near the closet, I want a huge wardrobe (b/c our master closet is smallish). I can't decide what to put on the other wall, either a secretary for all my stationary/gift wrap or a glass-front bookcase. Once I decide about the fireplace, I'll create another post asking for feedback on my bedroom layout.

Thanks,
Nin

I don't know if I'd spend the bucks for a FP that won't be used. What about some nice bookshelves instead of the FP?

The charm of a FP is watching the fire and listening to the crackle. And getting warm on a cold day! lol

Yes, the fireplace in the link is pretty. I like the small shelves on either side, and I could see a couple of nice framed photos on top maybe. You might need to paint it (per the reviews) but it should work well. Neat idea for MBR.

Amy

OakleyOak, please re-read. I never said that it would not be used. I said that we do not need it for heat. We have a central heating system and a wood-burning fireplace. I'm not worried about how much heat it throws out.

I don't have any advice but I'm anxiously reading this thread. We have gas logs that I stopped using several years ago because of the price of gas I was afraid to use them, not knowing how much fuel they were consuming. I don't need the heat either but love looking at an open flame.

I think the fireplace you linked to is very pretty. I have no idea what the gel fire looks like, though.

Sorry, when you wrote you didn't need it for heat, I just assumed you weren't going to use it. In that case, sure, get one, I think it'd look great!

I LOVE my gel fireplace, I bought it from QVC a few weeks ago, if you go to their site and type in Gel Fireplaces, quite a few styles will come up. Mine came with two gel cans. When lit, it does send out some heat (if needed, which I don't), I bought it for the very realisic look of a real fireplace, the gel, is the kind that puts out a "cackle" sound just like it would sound with real wood burning. I also do not notice any odor from the gel burning. I already had 2 tall bookcases that I put next to it to flank the fireplace, I am working towards a English country style libary den, so far it is looking pretty good. It was fairly easy to put together, and it came well wrapped with no damage, which is something that always concerns me when ordering on line, but even if it arrived damaged QVC is excellent about returning things.
I think you will be very pleased with the gel fireplace.

Candace Olsen uses them all the time...if you want one...go for it.

We have a woodburning fp we converted to gas logs 11 years ago...it has come in quite handy when we are without power because of inclement weather. (Ice storms are awful.)

I like the fireplace you have linked-- very nice.

We got an electric one about 2 years ago. We originally were going to get gel, but didn't want the hassle and/or to have to think about, "Is this a gel worthy moment?" In the winter we use it very often . . .turn the heat down in the rest of the house and turn it on when we are in the LR. (Our playroom has a gas FP, so we turn that on as needed, too.)

The downside to electric is that, at least with ours, it really does look fake. Not so much the FP itself but the "flames" it has. It is now in a corner of the LR where you can see the mantel but not the inner workings of the FP very well. I didn't put it there because of the fake look-- just fit best that way-- but I think it's a bonus.

I have a wall-mount gel fuel fireplace, and I thought it was awesome, until I took everything down off the wall and it became obvious that the wall is FILTHY above, and around, that fireplace. I thought gel fuel was supposed to burn clean. ??? Can anyone advise if they have had the same outcome? I love the thing and want to put it back up once the wall is painted, but I don't want to get the walls filthy all over again.

I stopped using my gel fireplace because the gel put out a strange odor, it was the Sungel brand. You also have to arrange the cans so you can't see them behind the faux logs, one can always looked too small for the length of the logs...kinda like 1 birthday candle in the middle of a sheet cake if you know what I mean.

You may want to consider an electric one, they run about the same price and are very economical when in use. We put them in the bedrooms of our lake house and guests love having a fireplace. The rooms were just square and plain so it added a cozy element. They come with a remote so you can turn it off after you're in bed. Check Overstock.

Here's an example of an electric one
http://www.thesimplediningroomstore.com/p-29877-holly-martin-fredricksburg-electric-fireplace-with-bookcases-in-ivory.aspx

I realize that this is from 2009..It appears Spitfire has not posted in awhile.

Anyone considering gel should be aware that they put out A LOT of heat.

Like Yaya recommended- with a good electric one you can choose ambiance with or without heat.

I do see the original post was from 2009, however, I just bought a gel fireplace. I have an older home and found a craftsman style one on overstock. Something people do not realize is that you can burn plain old rubbing alcohol. I bought some real flame gel and saved the cans..I fill them with 70 or 91% rubbing alcohol and it burns almost as long with a great flame and lots of heat. My house is old so I welcome the heat it puts out. For 1.96 for 32oz of rubbing alcohol you can't go wrong...especially compared to 3.00+ for one can of gel fuel. Gel fuel is really nothing more than jelled alcohol anyway.