Fireplace Research

June 21, 2025

A bit of an errand day – stopping to pick up topsoil for the backyard, and stopping to get more information about gas-burning inserts.

Today was an incredibly hot day, the first of a series. Upper 90’s, I think. I heard the phrase “heat dome,” which I presume is just a more modern, fancier way of saying “heat wave.” Whatever you call it, today was super hot.

Outside American Heritage Fireplace. Liz and I were both joking around about how ridiculous it was that we were coming here, on one of the hottest days of the year to date.

And afterwards, we debated going shopping for fur coats. And maybe for a jacuzzi. And then eating ghost pepper chilis in the car, with the windows rolled up.

When we met with one of the reps inside, we were all joking about the heat. I then remarked that maybe days like day, super hot days, were like snow days for them. That got a good laugh.

We learned a bit more about gas-burning inserts. And also about ventless fireplaces, that pretty much burn clean and don’t require any kind of a flue at all. Still powered with gas, but doesn’t require any exhaust.

The one drawback: some people have an issue with the “smell,” which was compared to the smell you would get if you walked into a kitchen and someone had a gas burning stove on.

Of course, the requisite safety sign, warning people that hot things are hot. I guess I could see how some folks might be inclined to touch a glass screen. But at a glance, this seemed quite silly.

We were nearby, and decided to pop in to Lula’s for a late lunch. Lucky for us, they were still serving up brunch… so we ended up having breakfast, part two.