Gel Fuel Overview
If you've not heard about gel fuel before, it's a great way to get the flame and crackling effects of a fireplace without the need for ventilation. It sounds amazing, and it is. If you like the cool, calming effects of flickering flames from a fireplace, but you don't like the smell or the smoke (or you don't have a gel fireplace with proper ventilation), a ventless fireplace that runs on gel fuel may be just the thing for you.
Gel fuel is a special blend of isopropyl alcohol and a mixture of other things. The 'other things' that aren't named are what make this product so great, allowing you to get the sensation and effect of a flickering flame without having to store and burn wood (not to mention worrying about ventilation.) The process for creating gel fuel isn't common knowledge, though.
If you search around online, you can see a lot of talk about gel fuel and making alternatives at home. But is homemade gel fuel safe? Perhaps the better question would be - is the health of you and your family worth the risk? If you're like most people, the answer would be no, it's not worth the risk. This is why buying gel fuel (even if it's a little expensive), is important.
More about Gel Fuel
- Ventless Fireplaces and Gel Fuel - While there are some fondue sets out there that use a sort of gel fuel, it was primarily created for use in ventless fireplaces.
- Gel Fuel: Expensive, but Worth It - If there's one drawback to gel fuel for fireplaces, it has to be the price of the gel fuel. It can get quite expensive.