Ventless fireplace logs are made almost exclusively from ceramic because of the material's legendary hardness and durability. At times these logs can differ in type between solid ceramic and ceramic fiber logs. Both types of logs are formed from a realistic-looking mold designed to appear like wood. However, whereas ceramic logs are carefully hand painted after their formation--sometimes with as many as seven different colors--ceramic fiber logs are usually not.

Thus solid ceramic logs are usually better detailed and, at first glance, more aesthetically pleasing to the average eye. However, while solid ceramic logs are not intended to come in direct contact with flames, ceramic fiber logs are. When contact occurs, ceramic fiber logs, which may be reinforced with steel rods for extra strength, take on an attractive glow. This is one of the special attractions of ceramic fiber logs that solid ceramic logs don't share.

More about Ventless Fireplace Logs

Heat-retaining ceramic fiber logs are manufactured to accompany vented gas fireplace setups. On the other hand, solid ceramic logs are for use with ventless fireplaces only. Although they do produce real flames and thus do produce some heat, ventless fireplaces are intended for decorative effect only: to brighten up a room or to add a point of interest.

Being portable, ventless fireplaces also have the virtue of versatility, and can be moved from one room to another as often as you wish. In fact, many people when purchasing vented fireplaces mistakenly believe these fireplaces can perform a secondary function as a space heater. However, they are not to be used as a primary heat source, nor are they meant for use for more than a few hours at a time.