Traditional Fireplace Out of Service? No problem!

My best friend and I moved into a new place together a couple of months ago. It’s a beautiful space: an old Victorian home divided into 2 apartments on separate floors. We occupy the 2^nd floor and attic, with my room being in the attic. Roommate and I put a lot of elbow grease into making our place home: painting, thrifting for the perfect furniture and knickknacks. One great thing about these rambling old houses is that they are almost guaranteed to have a fireplace, finished with gorgeous original features. Lo and behold, ours does have a fireplace - in the den! Bonus! Not so much of a bonus: the fireplace doesn’t work and let’s be honest, while our landlords are great, I highly doubt they’re ready to spend the money in order to bring the fireplace up to working code. As we transition from summer to fall, I can already feel the chill in the air and can’t help but think to myself how nice it would be to have a working fire place this winter.

So why not save everyone time, and money and get an electric fireplace for the living room? They are budget-friendly, attractive and you can move them around. Problem solved! Plus, in the off-chance that my landlord DID agree to update the tradition fireplace, the months of renovation means that I’ll miss the winter benefits of having one anyways. An electric or gel fueled fireplace is definitely the way to go if you’re looking for both style and convenience during these upcoming cold months.

-M

Plan Bs for St. Nick

The big guy sat back at his desk, swimming in a sea of opened letters and still-sealed envelopes that took up every inch of space of the most chaotic office in all of the North Pole. In pondering the question before him, one that he was now receiving with increasing regularity, he could only assume more and more parents were aware of www.electricfireplaceselect.com. He sighed, contemplating how his legendary gig used to be so much more simple.

The question that gave him such fits arriving en masse? “How do you get in through our fireplace when there’s no chimney to the roof?”

“Jolly” Old St. Nick wasn’t so jolly at this particular moment. “Gosh darn it,” he thought, “Why can’t parents just amend the tale a little, make up something, ANYTHING! Does anyone think I enjoy behaving like a common thief wedging my ample midsection through windows, picking locks and more?” He grumpily rebuked an elf who’s anxious knock at the door annoyed him at just the wrong moment.

Sure, the shift to multiple family dwellings, “condo life” as it were, was predicted years ago but maybe he hadn’t paid enough heed to the warnings. He’d assumed, perhaps foolishly, there would still be chimneys to slide on down the way there had been for decades upon decades. However impractical those traditional fireplaces might have been in modern city homes, it would have been nice if they’d even considered just how set in his ways old Santa was. But no, everybody had to embrace the electric fireplace and as much as he disliked the fact, truth was he couldn’t blame them as the warmth and charismatic presence of those simulate fires just made so much darn sense.

Suzie from Chicago wrote “Don’t worry Santa, my parents’ Dimplex Promotional Free Standing Fireplace will be switched off on Christmas Eve, but can you please tell me how you come out of it? Can you do magic too like the guy on TV? Please tell me. PS – I will leave extra cookies if you respond ASAP.”

Quentin from Vancouver queried “Our Fire Sense Georgetown Electric Fireplace doesn’t need a chimney because there’s no smoke. If there’s no chimney, how do you bring in our presents? Last year I was locked in my room because I wanted to stay up and watch you pull it off, so please write back or I’ll leave a running camcorder on the sofa.”

Sara from Boston said “Santa, I have determined there’s no way you can fit into our Classic Flame Victoria Black Electric Stove. Sorry, but you’re too chubby and it’s perfectly compact for our condominium and provides a lovely radiating warmth in our living room on cold winter nights. I’m concerned you will break it if your try. Please respond with your alternate plan.”

Ole Saint Nick leaned back again and lit his pipe, resolving to get his PR department to put a spin on this without delay. He picked up a remote on his desk and pointed it to the wall. A Southern Enterprises Whiteman Mahogany Fireplace roared to life and warmth instantly flooded the room.

“If you can’t beat ‘em” Santa muttered quietly to himself.

Cold Hands, Warm Hearth: Decorating with Gel Fireplaces

Just because you live somewhere that doesn't have a fireplace, doesn't mean that you have to live without one.
Our world today is busy, fast-paced and sometimes very complicated. Coming home to a room that is warm and welcoming is important to our sense of well-being. Gel fireplaces are a great way to create the ambiance of a real fire without having to keep a supply of logs on hand or remembering to clean the chimney. Even though they generate some heat, keep in mind that gel fuel fireplaces are more decorative than functional as a secondary heat source.

Most freestanding gel fuel fireplaces are comprised of a metal firebox, the surround and mantel and a screen. They are convenient to use because they are non-toxic, portable and don't have to be hooked up or vented. As with electric fireplaces, they imitate the motion of real flames and the appearance of burning logs. However, since gel fireplaces do not use electricity, they can be located virtually anywhere in your home, regardless of where power sources are located.

Gel inserts are designed to sit inside an existing fireplace and have all the benefits of freestanding models. If your traditional wood burning fireplace is no longer in working order, a gel insert may be the ideal solution. You will be able to transform it back into a warm place to gather with family and friends. Both gel inserts and fireplaces are easy to install and keep clean.

A gel fireplace works by burning a grain-alcohol gel that comes in cans. On average, one can offers up to three hours worth of flames. Cans can be resealed and used until empty. It is entirely safe to use and smokeless. There is no ash residue to clean up or regular chimney maintenance to worry about. Since a gel fire doesn't spark, there is no danger of stray embers causing harm or damage. Gel fuel fires burn efficiently and are ecologically safe.

Gel fireplaces create a focal point and give a room a sense of "purpose." They can add warmth and style, and are an attractive and handy place to display family photos, collectibles and ornaments. They come in a variety of colors and designs. Construction materials are typically wood and metal or a combination of both. Gel fuel fireplaces can be detailed to resemble a built-in fireplace, with traditional design features like pilasters, inset panels and hand-painted decoration or carvings.

Because they are so portable, they are ideal for apartment living; if you move, you can take it with you. Perfect for apartments, condominiums and smaller homes, many models, in addition to the fireplace unit, include space-saving features, such as a bookcase, curio cabinet shelves or a home theater. Even for home owners with smaller sized-rooms, there are some viable solutions. Many corner gel fireplaces come in a number or styles and colors that will match your decor, transforming unused space into a comfy place to kick back.

A fireplace in a room can create a warm ambience and make your home a comfortable and welcoming place. A gel fuel fireplace is an ideal way to make your home even more hospitable. With many styles and designs to choose from, you're sure to find one that beautifully suits your decor.

Snow Day!

Brrr. It’s cold these days. The kind of frosted, bone-rattling chill that Vikings and black-metal bands are always talking about. But people who are baffled by snow and slush and wind in the throes of winter irritate me. What do you expect, when our world is a mere blip amidst an endless cosmic vacuum of freezing cold? Sunny skies and tropical heat? Mere illusion! Cold is the nature of the universe, and the Second Law of Thermodynamics says that things are only getting colder. Get used to it, princess.

Therefore, here’s what I think we should all do: let’s have a childhood fantasy Snow Day and embrace this bitter cold. What else is there to do? Stand around and ask each other if it’s cold enough yet? Oh, it will be cold enough. Yes indeed.

To start the day, eat one of those fruit-flavored oatmeal packets that you just add water to. Mmm. Peaches and creamy. Add extra brown sugar on top, just to be sure it’s sweet enough to make your teeth shrivel. Pick up your books and throw them on the floor. Who needs those today? Not you, my friend. It’s Snow Day!

If you are a pansy, you should bundle up as warm as possible. It's never cool to wear a hat and scarf and mittens, but today you are throwing fashion to the wind. After all, there is a lot of work to be done. Snowmen (or is it snowpersons?), snow angels, snow forts and, best of all, snow fights. In our Snowmaginarium, the snow has a perfect wet to dry ratio, allowing for perfect snow stickiness. No harsh, gravel-filled iceballs today! That is, unless your annoying neighbour walks by -- then you become the Wendigo, delivering a pelting snow-storm to drive the jerk to his frosty doom.

Your day passes in a blaze of soft downy flakes. Finally, red-faced and panting, you run indoors. Your cardiovascular system is begging you for mercy after a full day of exercise and fresh air. After devouring hot soup and a grilled cheese sandwich, it’s time to relax with family by the fire.

Everyone’s in a good mood, because despite the overwhelming snow and sub-zero temperatures outside, something about a hot toddy in front of the fireplace puts everyone at ease.

Make sure you end your best ever Snow Day with a fireplace from Cymax. With just the flick of a switch, you can turn off the flames, go upstairs to bed and dream of a lifetime filled with Snow Days. And hot toddys.