Gel fireplace fuel is an ingenious modern solution to an old problem. Fireplaces are beloved objects, rich with associations of warmth, safety and family togetherness. However, they have recently fallen into disuse because of the problems posed by their traditional combustion method: burning wood. Yes, wood is lovely to see and smell as it burns; however, it creates a big, sooty mess as well as sending carbon fumes into the already troubled air we all breathe.

Fireplace chimneys take care of most of the problem, sending the smoke into the atmosphere, but some carbon dioxide inevitably remains indoors, which we breathe in. Over the long term, this can cause a variety of serious health complications. For reasons such as these, as well as sheer convenience, gel fireplace fuel has been invented.

Clean-Burning Gel Fireplace Fuels

Gel fuels are a special, patented blend of isopropyl alcohol, which burns quickly and easily, and organic thickeners, such as salt. Years in the making, they've finally been perfected to be sold as ventless fireplace fuel. Ventless fireplaces are freestanding fireplace units that can be placed against a wall--or in the middle of the room, for that matter--and require no ventilation system because they emit no harmful wastes.

This is the result of using clean-burning, alcohol-derived gel fuel, which burns in a controlled manner from a canister that you light as you would a candle. The fuel canister can be easily extinguished with a manual safety switch on the fireplace itself. These gel fuel canisters are inexpensive and are often sold at quantity discounts where ventless fireplaces are sold. Contrast this with the soot, smoke, and carbon monoxide of traditional fireplaces, and you can easily see why gel fireplace fuels are fast becoming the popular alternative.