Realistic flame effect - electric stove

bannanna

Hello
I've just moved into a new house that has a log burner installed. I would like to do my bit for the environment (and for my own health!) and have this taken out and replaced with an electric fire, ran from renewable energy. There really is nothing like the calming effect of a real fire on a winter's evening though. Are there any electric fireplaces or stoves that realistically mimic flames? I have seen the Dimplex opti-myst and ruled it out due to potential for condensation. Are there any others on the market? Or should I just leave the current log burner in for decoration purposes only, if the electric fires are still all a bit naff?
Thanks in advance for any recommendations.

Wes121708

Have you thought about a bio ethanol stove? 
We were going to get a log burner but opted for a bio ethanol stove. You could probably get yours converted. 

bannanna

Wes121708 said:

Have you thought about a bio ethanol stove? 
We were going to get a log burner but opted for a bio ethanol stove. You could probably get yours converted. 

That's such a great suggestion, thanks!! I had seen them but didn't know you could convert an existing stove into bioethanol. My main questions for bioethanol are around the smell and cost of the fuel, and also potential safety concerns about if any fuel was spilled, and also is there still some condensation that is released? 
Cost is maybe less of a worry given the current price of energy and the fact that the initial outlay is much smaller.

Bendy_House

Hi bannanna.

There's a thread on here about someone trying to DIY a flame effect for his log burner. No idea how far he got with this, but there were quite a few suggestions on it. There are even ready-made flame effect units you can but to pop into existing stoves, but I've no idea how effective they are.

I think what I would do in your position is to try and keep the existing stove, even if it won't be used as a log burner. Why? Because nothing looks as properly authentic as a real log burner than, err, a real log burner. If it's slightly tatty, with some stains on the glass and stuff, then it's even more authentic. 'Cos it is.

I'd then find the most convincing/affordable method of adding a flame effect to it. There are some highly effective effects on some models, and not always on silly-expensive high-end versions. Then keep an eye out on Marketplace or local eBay for a second hand unit, which I bet you can pick up cheaply, especially if the actual 'heating' part is kaput. Or, from that other thread, I know you can even buy just the 'flame' effect units to add to existing stoves, but I've no idea how effective these are.

I personally wouldn't buy an electric 'stove' with a heating unit, as these tend to be either 'fan' - which is truly hellish - or radiant 'bars', which is only slightly less so (ie, it ain't 'authentic').

Instead, I'd use the stove only for effect, and place a couple of oil-filled rads in the room for your renewable heat source.

Bendy_House

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/search?query=flame effect&scope=site&Search=flame effect

Can't remember which of these is the one I've seen, but they all appear to hold useful content.

Oh, if you DIY a solution, you'd need to ensure electrical safety, including earthing the stove casing...

ChasingtheWelshdream

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6306037/ideas-for-making-fake-logs-coal#latest

This was me and I haven’t yet done anything. I got a fantastic mantelpiece on freecycle which I am determined to make fit, so the it became a project for the new year alongside other things.

We have been hunkering down with the real wood burner over winter. Nothing will ever look as realistic as a real flame, so do expect a compromise. 

bannanna

Thank you so much @Bendy_House and @ChasingtheWelshdream. 

I know a log burner is a good selling point for many people, and to be fair it does look really lovely, I just don't want to pollute my neighbourhood or exacerbate my partner's asthma. Perhaps with a bit of adaptation I can make it work - thank you for your suggestions, I had no idea that such things existed! Now to find the least gimmicky/most passable option. Even smouldering embers would be nice than nothing, but its the flickering flame that I'm really after, seems to lower my blood pressure!

bob_a_builder

What we have in our fireplace is one of the Led Flame effect bulbs, in the bottom with some logs piled over the top of it

Its no Dimplex opti-myst but  does give a warming effect in the evening

Difficulty for you would be getting the mains lead in thru the front door of the log burner without it being obvious - black cable I suppose

No false flames of course, but does give a pulsating glow 

Bulb
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/401556944039?epid=22020767793

Example
https://photos.app.goo.gl/eeE6oWxJnwoHcjHY7

EDIT
Couldn't really recommend the Opti-Mysts either - my FIL just went thru 2 units in the space of two months - seems they can't stand the condensation either !

Wes121708

@bannanna we've got this one which we can convert to a log burner if we wanted



And this is it working! We've since put a flue on top to finish the look.
We get our fuel from Amazon and buy in bulk. We use about 2 litres each time which burns 4-6 hours. We store it in our out house. 
It's not the main source of heating as we have a radiator in the room.
We live in a village and as soon as you open the door you can smell smoke from everyone's burners.

Wes121708

@bannanna it's got a tray in the bottom so assume it wouldn't be that hard to convert a log burner to a bio ethanol!

Bendy_House

Wes121708 said:

@bannanna we've got this one which we can convert to a log burner if we wanted



And this is it working! We've since put a flue on top to finish the look.
We get our fuel from Amazon and buy in bulk. We use about 2 litres each time which burns 4-6 hours. We store it in our out house. 
It's not the main source of heating as we have a radiator in the room.
We live in a village and as soon as you open the door you can smell smoke from everyone's burners.

You can't beat a real flame, but is the bio's always that clean and white/blue?