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When the weather condition cool down , there ’s nothing better than snuggling by a crackle fire . Until now , that usually intend sit down around a chiminea , flaming pit , or built - in fireplace . As part of a larger test to ascertain thebest chimeneasfor our readers , I tried out the Solo Stove TerraFlame Gel Fuel Fireplace . For someone who need an indoor fire but does n’t want the difficulty of ventilate the social unit , this fireplace is a big deal .
I test this attractive fireplace inside my place and outdoors , and I was impressed . Leave it to Solo Stove , maker of forward-looking ardor Inferno , pizza ovens , patio warmer , and more , to design a functional indoor / outdoor open fireplace with a adorable midcentury modern elan . Keep reading to get word more about thisSolo Stove Gel Fuel Fireplaceand see whether it ’s a good fit for your space .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Solo Stove Lloyd Modern Gel Fuel Fireplace: At a Glance
Testing the Solo Stove Gel Fuel Fireplace
Testing the Solo Stove TerraFlame was straightforward — I gather the components and then lit the gel fuel . I paid extra care to the flame height and how much warmness the indoor chiminea radiate . I also notice how hot the extraneous shell became to the touch after the fire had been burning for a while .
Additionally , I put anair - quality monitorin the room to see whether the TerraFlame indoor open fireplace was exhaust fumes . in force news show on that front — the air timbre monitor did n’t indicate any detrimental air - quality issues , but at the end of 2.5 hours ( the duration the gel fuel endure ) , the humidness level had increase just slimly . For those who stomach from dry indoor air in the winter months , this might really be of welfare .
Then , I moved the TerraFlame outdoors to a covered porch . It ’s worthy for outdoor habit , but it should be in a protected quad . It weigh just 31 pounds and is only 25.5 inches mysterious , so I found it easy to carry . I inserted fresh gel fuel cans , lit them up , and then thoroughly enjoyed the experience .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Ease of Use and Setup
Assembling the Solo Stove indoor chiminea was unproblematic . The three main pieces ( base , top , and plenty ) come singly packaged in a unmarried box , and all I require to do was insert a few screws ( admit ) to put the unit together and tie four nonslip feet to the nucleotide . The front of the home is mark “ front , ” make it easy to aright align the top and the substructure .
The burner assembly is a stainless steel boxful that holds three gel fuel buns . It slips into place in the root . Then , I sneak in the glass buckler that keeps particular and fiddling hands from touch the flames . It , too , slides right into place .
After that , all I had to do was opened the tops of three fuel cans — Solo Stove sends along a petty shaft for just that purpose — then mark the cans in the holes in the burner gathering . I used a prospicient - barrel lighter to ignite the gel fuel .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Aesthetic and Design
The Solo Stove TerraFlame is flat - out adorable . Its minimalist , midcentury modern design will complement nearly any home or patio vogue . I try out the TerraFlame in Skyler , a hue that prompt me of the color of a robin ’s ballock , but it ’s also available in four other colors : Mist , Dove , Sunkissed , and Graphite .
Solo Stovehit a home streamlet with the TerraFlame design . It ’s thoughtfully crafted for broad visual appeal , but it ’s also compact and wo n’t submerge other indoor or outside decor component . I thought it looked equally great on my porch and in the sitting area of my master bedroom .
Heat Output and Safety
The TerraFlame does n’t render as much heating system as a roaring Sir Henry Wood fire , but it does grow heating . After my initial 2.5 - hour indoor test , the elbow room , which is 16 metrical unit farseeing by 12 human foot broad , was 11 degrees Fahrenheit warmer . That was with all three gel fuel cans burning . If you ’re looking more for the atmosphere of a real flack rather than heat , you could use just one or two cans of colloidal gel fuel . And , get this : The cans of gel fuel crackle , just like a wood fire . I ca n’t say if other brands of gel fuel will crackle , but theSolo Stove gel fuelthat come with the unit does , so that ’s the one I ’d use .
tangible fire always get along with some inherent danger , but Solo Stove took step to reduce the risk of exposure by including a tempered prophylactic chalk shell that withstands heat and offer a protective barrier without halt the view of the fire . The exterior of the upper unit go very affectionate after an hour of use but not hot enough to burn if touched . Do n’t hold your hand over the top of the stack , however ; I did and wished I would n’t have . That was the hottest part . If you have small child or pets , you may want to lift the indoor chiminea by putting it on a sturdy platform , but overall , it ’s pretty safe . to boot , follow general base hit guidelines , and do n’t lay anything flammable within 3 feet of the gel fuel open fireplace .
Solo Stove includes a long - grip fire extinguisher with a magnetic alkali to bind a can lid and an L - determine hold for safely reaching over the glass shield to put a palpebra on a burning can . Of of course , once I lifted the extinguisher , the eyelid came with it , but I estimate out how to rank it and then slide the grip to the side so the hat stayed in position . Seriously , though , a cup - mold fire extinguisher that meet over the top of the can would be just . You could always put the chapeau back on when the can cooled down .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
Worth the Splurge?
With a cost ticket of around $ 700 , the TerraFlame by Solo Stove is pricier than some outdoor chimineas , but keep in mind that it ’s made for indoor or ( protected ) out-of-door use . It ’s more various than a distinctive chiminea , firing nether region , or even a ventilate woods - burning stove .
If you ’re into the retro - modern look , like I am , the TerraFlame , with its clear line and minimalist style , will be a focal point in your blank space .
If you ’re looking for a chiminea to enhance your outside entertainment blank , you’re able to find a inexpensive one . If you like the thought of seat around a crackling fire indoors on parky evenings , the TerraFlame is a lot less expensive than deliver a hearth installed in your home .
Photo: Glenda Taylor for Bob Vila
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Product Comparisons
So, is the Solo Stove gel fuel fireplace right for you?
If you ’re looking for a fashionable , minimalist fireplace that you could use indoors or outdoors , the TerraFlame is an ideal pickaxe . With its small footprint and fume - free fuel , it ’s a atoxic pick for delight a substantial crackling fire indoors . It ’s well-to-do to assemble and lightweight enough to move when hope .
However , if your basal goal is to give substantial heat for outdoor gather , you might need to expect at other types of Sir Henry Joseph Wood - burning chimineas made of cast iron or Henry Clay , which retain and radiate more heat . The TerraFlame is more about creating ambiance and atmosphere than consummate estrus output .
Meet the Tester
Glenda Taylor is a contractile organ , product tester , and writer sharpen primarily on construction , DIY tools , and home appliances .
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