Electric Just Got Real!

Thanks to advances in technology the humble electric fire is now totally unrecognizable from when they became a popular feature in British homes in the 1950s. Although electric fires still use the same principles to generate heat, the science and design behind today’s contemporary appliances mean an electric fire can easily become the focal point in any room.

Many modern homes have been built without chimneys or flues and so manufacturers have had to be great creative – and boy have they stepped up to the challenge to produce fires which can be quickly and easily installed into virtually any room in your home without emitting any fumes, gases or smoke, making them easy to keep clean and low maintenance.

There are numerous models to choose from and each has its own unique effects – but here are some of our current favourites.

Celsi Fires boast the latest technology to provide a real fire flame and from its considerable product range we have highlighted the Electriflame VR Orbital Illumia  suite which offers an enhanced virtual reality flame effect.  It really is hard to tell the difference between it and a real flame and the fuel bed of logs at the front of the fire which are also reflected though the centre and back of the fire.  It is essentially a very clever optical illusion that really does draw the eye.  The fireplace itself is available in three colour options in a modern design.  Advanced features include 4 flame brightness settings, remote control, integrated LED lights, a timer function and you can also enjoy those flames without the heat making it the perfect all year around home accessory.

Flamerite has been manufacturing fires since 1991 and its stated ambition has been to shake up the boring electric fire market with radical design.  It’s still maintaining that ambition today with models such as the Gotham and Blazer fires.

The Gotham is a landscape inset fire which allows those incredible dancing LED flames to be enjoyed as widely as possible as they sit on a bed of cinderwood logs.  The Blazer can be wall mounted or combined with a fireplace and bringing these fires bang up to date is the ability to control the fires via a dedicated Tablet which allows you dim the flames and control the heat.  Both models also boast Flamerite’s unique OmniGlide glass fronted panel. This is a tilting glass panel that can be tilted back to suggest the illusion of deeper flames which add to their realism.

Dimplex has a 70 year pedigree and they continue to use their expertise to develop and innovate.  It’s fair to say their Optiflame real effect flames are recognized as some of the best in the world.  The flames have been developed even further to add a smoke effect in their OptiMyst range which includes the Oakhurst Opti-Myst Electric Stove the perfect solution for those who want the look of a real wood burning stove.  Just sit back and watch the ‘smoke’ rise from the real looking logs.

Meanwhile the Sunningdale Opti-V stove uses Opti-V flames which takes their lead from HD TV technology to combine flickering flames with LED logs that actually spark now and gain – you can even hear the logs crackling!

Finally, Elgin & Hall have surpassed themselves with Pryzm – a contemporary collection of fireplace suites which provide nothing less than a stunning visual performance thanks to the revolutionary 5D flame technology.  The LED flames dance upon a bed of ultra-real logs and some models offer further realism from ambient lights which give the appearance of smouldering embers.

And so, if you think you know electric fires –think again.  Today’s fires are quite a modern masterpiece – come and see them for yourselves.