Best Ventless Gas Fireplace

Ventless gas fireplaces are the best type of fireplace on the market. You get real flames without having to knock down a wall or already own a chimney. But there are dangers that come with buying a shoddy quality fireplace, and nothing is worth risking a fire.

On the whole ventless fireplaces are safe, but anything to do with fire should have their safety measures taken seriously. So if you don’t know what you’re looking for, don’t worry. We have been in this business for long enough to pass down all the information you need.

We will show you the best ventless gas fireplaces on the market right now, and we will also explain what you should be looking for if you would rather shop around.

Everything from installation and maintenance, to the best protective screens, with the information in this article, you will have no doubts about the safety of your stunning and soothing fireplace. 

Be informed, be in control, and feel safe when you purchase your beautiful and warming, jealous-making feature.

What Is A Ventless Gas Fireplace, And How Do They Work?

Ventless fireplaces have a lot of different names, like “unvented”, “vent-free,” or “flueless”, but they all mean the same thing. Instead of venting the toxic residue from your fireplace up through a chimney, a ventless fireplace doesn’t control the waste. This might sound dangerous, but they are actually designed to burn without creating fumes. So they are essentially a clean-burning fireplace.

So how does it work, we hear you cry!

Natural gas or propane is usually connected to the fireplace through a pipeline (connected by a professional) or through a valve. If there is a valve, then you pour liquid propane into the funnel to fuel the fireplace. 

The amount of gas is so low. It’s like turning on a burner in your kitchen. You can compare the amount of carbon dioxide produced by the ventless gas fireplace to be the same as human breathing. These aren’t dangerous levels of toxins, so a vent system isn’t needed.

Typically, you will find a control panel that allows you to start the fireplace and determine the type of flame. You might see that fake logs are placed in the burning chamber.

These logs will be made out of non-combustible materials and will have holes in them, so the flames don’t get trapped or cause damage. 

When the fire is lit, oxygen gets taken from the room to power the flames, and the fire then produces heat released through the ventless design.

This usually means that the manufacturer will ask you not to place anything flammable or electronic within a certain distance. This is to stop the fire jumping or the electronics melting. 

We have found the 5 best ventless gas fireplaces for you, so you can scroll through our selection and decide which one best suits your home and your vibe. 

Eco-Feu Montreal

We are starting off with a sleek and unusual design. The Montreal is a two-sided wall-mounted fireplace, meaning that if you have a wall that separates two rooms, you can install this fireplace as a feature for both sides of that wall.

You can even have one of those sides be outdoors, as this fireplace is suitable for any living space.

There is no installation needed, apart from having a wall that can fit this design. However, the likelihood is that you don’t already have a wall with a 41-inch hole in the middle, so there will be a little work required to get the fireplace to fit snuggly. 

The Montreal uses a funnel, so you don’t need to connect it to a pipe, making the gas part of this fireplace easy breezy, and you won’t have to worry about a breeze because the Montreal comes with a protective glass screen.

Pros:

• No Gas Connection Needed
• Glass Screen
• 41 Inches Long
• BTU 6,500
• 2 Sided

Cons:

• Wall Construction Needed
• Refills Required

Duluth Forge - Thermostat Controlled

The Duluth Forge is an insert ventless gas fireplace, which means that if you already have a cove or an empty old fireplace in your home, you can “insert” this one in that area with little to no effort. However, if you don’t have an indented area, then the fireplace may not work as well and will probably be bulky.

The outside has a wire mesh safety guard, and on the inside it has hand-painted ceramic fiber logs. This is an excellent combination as although the logs should take around 2 years to burn, there may be flecks that fall off.

Having the mesh installed will mean you won’t have to clean up the glass every time you use the fire, and the mesh should catch any flecks before they escape into your room. 

The BTU is 26,000 at a maximum, so the Duluth Forge would be great for a large room or a room with a lot of empty space. Ideally, the area should be no better than 1,350 square feet.

Pros:

• Wire Mesh Screen
• Realistic Logs
• BTU 26,000
• Vintage Style

Cons:

• Gas Connection Needed
• Wall Insert Space Required

Bio-Blaze Diamond

The Bio-Blaze Diamond is a wall-mounted fireplace, which means that you don’t need to carve open a wall to add it to your home’s decor. All you need is ample enough space to hand it on.

The design is elegant with a touch of industrial metal to create a beautiful and profound fire scene. To fuel the Diamond, you funnel the eco-friendly bioethanol into the hidden refill compartment, so you don’t need to connect the fireplace to a gas pipe. 

Protecting the fireplace is a glass screen, keeping the sleek and elegant style alight. Decorating the inside of the Diamond are white stones that will take years to burn, so you can leave them in the fireplace without having to worry about them. 

The fireplace can burn for 3 hours per refill and produce 6,824 BTU, which is perfect for a large bedroom or small living area.

Pros:

• Glass Screen
• Decorative White Stones
• Wall Mounted
• BTU 6,824
• Funnel Fuelled
• Eco Friendly

Cons:

• Appropriate For A Small Room
• Refilled Required

Duluth Forge - Remote Controlled

Now we have another fireplace from Duluth Forge, but this one is remote controlled instead of thermostat controlled. The difference is that you don’t need to turn the thermostat dial to get the heating level you want. Instead, you can use a remote control.

This doesn’t mean the fireplace is electric, nor does it mean that you are looking at the same fireplace with an extra feature. No. This Duluth Forge is also more powerful.

The BTU rating is 32,000! Which is 6,000 hotter than the previous Duluth Forge on our list, and as we said before, 6,000 alone is enough to heat a small room.

We recommend this fireplace to people who own a large house and want to create a cozy environment. Unfortunately, the “insert” design means you will need to either make a space or use an old fireplace to put the Duluth Forge in.  

Pros:

• Wire Mesh Screen
• Realistic Logs
• BTU 32,000
• Vintage Style
• Remote Controlled

Cons:

• Gas Connection Needed
• Wall Insert Space Required

Bio-Blaze Column

If you are looking for something that doesn’t go against a wall and doesn’t require a connection to a gas line, then take a look at the Bio-Blaze Column. 

This freestanding ventless gas fireplace can go indoors or outdoors, as it doesn’t need to be connected to an electric outlet or a gas pipeline. It’s even light enough to be bought outdoors on days where you want to entertain.

The sleek design is covered in a glass window, so rain doesn’t harm it, and the wind doesn’t snuff it out. This also means you can place it anywhere in your home without having to worry about a stray flame touching something it shouldn’t

The fireplace uses an eco-friendly bioethanol that can be funneled into a hidden chamber, which burns cleanly, so there is no need to worry about toxic fumes.

However, due to its size, it won’t be able to heat up any room sufficiently. Hence, making the Bio-Blaze Column a decorative fireplace rather than a functioning one.

Pros:

• Glass Screen
• Stand Alone Column
• Funnel Fuelled
• Eco Friendly

Cons:

• Doesn’t Produce Efficient Heat
• Refilled Required

Buyer's Guide - What To Look For In A Ventless Gas Fireplace 

Knowing how a ventless gas fireplace works is one thing, but knowing what to look out for when you buy one is another. There are three topics you need to keep in mind, installation and maintenance, size, and the type of proactive cover.

There are pros and cons to whatever you decide, so this is where you need to think about what you want.  

Installation And Maintenance

There are two types of ventless gas fireplaces, ones that need to be connected to a pipeline and ones that have a funnel to pour liquid gas down. 

If you choose the funnel option, then installation will be easy, but you should still have a professional install it for you, so nothing goes wrong with the delicate technology.

You will be able to put the fireplace almost anywhere you want. For example, it doesn’t matter where you want to put the fireplace in your living room, as long as the TV or curtains aren’t in the manufacturer’s “Keep Clear” zone.  

If you choose a pipeline fireplace, your display will need to connect to a gas line, whether from a portable tank or your home’s connection.

If you link to your home connection, the fireplace needs to be close to an existing pipe. If you use a portable tank, then the only thing you need to think about is where to hide and store the tank. 

Regardless of which type of ventless gas fireplace you choose, you will need to install a carbon monoxide detector to ensure that gas leaks don’t occur. This is all part of the maintenance you need to keep your fireplace safe.

Along with the sensor, you will need to clean the log set and other exposed components annually at least. This makes sure no impurities are being burnt in the gas. 

Choosing The Correct Size

You shouldn’t use a bigger fireplace than the size of your room needs. The manufacturer will tell you the optimum size for your chosen fireplace, but follow this if you want a rough guide. 

An “open space” room or a large room can have a BTU of 25,000 or higher. This is because there is enough space for your ventless fireplace to expel the low level of toxins without it harming your body.

If you have a small room, like a bedroom or bathroom, then you want the fireplace to be around 5,000 BTU. This will allow it to produce the heat that you want, without releasing too many toxins. 

Whatever fireplace size you choose, a ventless gas fireplace will likely heat one room super effectively. This is because, without a vent, the heat cannot escape anywhere but the room it is placed in. As a result, you will receive 100% of the heat.

The downside to this is that you usually cannot heat multiple rooms with a ventless fireplace, as the rooms will not be connected through these vents.

Protective Glass or Wire Mesh?

If you have your heart set on a fireplace already, then you probably won’t get a choice of protection for it. But if you are still looking and know that this visual display is an important choice for you, then don’t worry. We will explain the pros and cons.

Glass fireplace screens look sophisticated. There is no denying the elegant beauty of a clear view, and you will be able to see your fire so much clearer too. You might not expect it, but glass can handle the high temperature of a fireplace, so you don’t need to worry about it smashing. 

There are two disadvantages to a glass screen, and that's the price and the cleanliness. Glass screens often come with the fireplace, so cost might not matter too much, but just like a window, the glass will show up any kind of dirt, making that elegant display seem tacky. To keep up the sleek look, you’ll need to clean it regularly. 

Wire mesh screens create a cozy atmosphere and can have a myriad of styles and designs. In addition, the metals are resilient and durable, all while needing low maintenance and costing less.

Despite the metal being resistant, the mesh design is easy to damage, meaning you’ll be more likely to need a replacement than if you used glass.

Frequently Asked Questions

You probably still have some questions before you invest in your homemaking fireplace. Here are a couple of frequently asked questions our customers ask us. Hopefully, they can help you out too.

Are Ventless Gas Fireplaces Safe?

If they have been installed as intended and are being used as intended, then yes, they are safe. 

Some states do not allow ventless gas fireplaces due to possible carbon monoxide leaks, but all ventless fireplaces should have a carbon monoxide detector installed to prevent this issue. 

Can A Ventless Fireplace Make You Sick?

Wood-burning fireplaces can irritate your lungs and spark an asthma attack. Vented fireplaces and ventless fireplaces don’t have this problem, but they could cause carbon monoxide poisoning if damaged.

Carbon monoxide poisoning will make you feel nauseated and often make people feel like a heavyweight is on their chest.

If you have these symptoms, evacuate your home and call the emergency services.

The likelihood of this happening is low, but carbon monoxide detectors should be installed to prevent illnesses before poisoning occurs. 

How Long Can You Run A Ventless Fireplace?

The manufacturer will give you clear guidelines on how long the fireplace should be lit for, but typically you shouldn’t be running it for over 2 hours. 

Why Do Ventless Fireplaces Smell?

Natural gas is odorless, but companies put smells in the product, so you can sense it if there is a gas leak. If your ventless fireplace smells like gas, then you may have a leak.

If your ventless fireplace smells like burning, then impurities have landed on the flames, and it needs to be cleaned.

Can I Leave A Ventless Fireplace On Overnight?

No. A flame should not be left alone, especially one surrounded by ventless gas. This is due to the unlikely event of the fire spreading or the unlikely event of the fire stopping and the gas filling the room. If that happens, then you are at risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.