Stoves & Fireplaces and more

What is a fireplace inset? And why should you invest in one rather than on an electric fireplace, ethanol fireplace or a gas fireplace? A fireplace inset has the same clean burn technology as a wood burning cast iron stove but is designed to be inserted or inset into the 'fire box' of an existing or newly built fireplace mantle/surround. What is the advantage over a free standing stove like this one? and what is the advantage over an open fireplace? The free standing stove like the Gabriel will take more space in your room as it's typically deeper (though not always) and is placed at a minimum distance of 6 inches from the wall. But the biggest advantage is over an open (not outdoor fireplace) as it's far far more efficient and it's technical design is such that the fire draws extremely well, which cannot be said of open fireplaces that are being built in India nowadays. For instance, a friends cottage in Mukteshwar (7000 feet over mil) that was built 3 years back for Rs 1.5 crores (!) had great looking open fireplaces that just couldn't heat the sitting room. We tested it and the smartly finished fireplace (from the outside, stone mantle an surround) raised the room temperature by 1 degree celsius after one hour of burn time! So we sat in monkey caps sipping a drink! With an inset or a stove for that matter, your room will much heat better, you'll be able to control the fire, be able to view the fire through extra large German made heat resistant glass and there will be no embers that can crackle and fall onto your floor or carpet - so it's safer. Keep in mind that you should never use any liquid inflammable or petroleum in a fireplace inset, stove or an open fireplace. If you have a home/cottage in the hills - this is a must buy. The only thing you may miss is that an open fireplace soothes your audio sense with it's crackle! The saving grace is that if you want to hear the crackle and radiate more heat directly into the room you can open the glass door and then it's just like an open fireplace.