Emberglow 46-1/2 In. Vent-Free Gas Fireplace Vff26nlm

Great, when it works

By Bryan  Mar 29, 2013

Pros: Lots of heat, extremely efficient, looks great.

Cons: has broken six times in 3 years

There's just something about a fireplace on a cold winter night that I can't resist. I set this thing and just let my furnace take up the slack on colder days. I live in a part of the country where electricity is about as cheap as it gets, and it's s...till cheaper to run this all winter than it is to run my heat pump. That and it still works even when the lights go out. Unfortunately I've gotten sick of replacing thermocouples in it. Of course it takes an oddball type, that only sure heat seems to have. Oh and they insist on selling it with part of the igniter and part of the plumbing for the pilot light, for 5 times the going rate of an ordinary piece. They've been less than helpful on the phone and won't stand behind their parts. Now the #$%$ on it is getting difficult to line up so that you can push it in and light the pilot. It clicks into place, but it won't go in until the 20th attempt. I'm very familiar with gas appliances and I've repaired many of them over the decades, but I've never seen anything go through parts like this thing. I'm getting rid of it and buying another brand. I suggest others stay away from it as well. Read more Less