Can I use concrete fireballs with an electric insert?

3 years ago

I want to change the super ugly, dated electric insert I have for something more modern. Ive loved the concrete fireballs I’ve been seeing but anything I can find to purchase says for use with gas or propane. Does anyone have a source that would work for a built in electric fireplace? (I’m in Florida so honestly; I don’t even know why they put one in but since it’s here, in a library, it would be nice to keep)

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PRO

Hansen Wholesale

3 years ago

OK, thanks for posting the picture.

So, with this type of electric fireplace, there is no way to change what is inside of it. If you take it apart, you will see that it is just a very shallow fake screen. There is the potential of changing the entire electric fireplace unit to something a bit more realistic, but I am not aware of any electric fireplace that has fireballs.

FYI: I sell gas logs, fireballs and glass crystals to burn in fireplaces. Florida and California are by far our biggest markets.

Just a bit of history:

People love fireplaces in their homes regardless of the climate. The fireplace was the single most important feature in Early American homes because it was the sole source of heat. It is where everyone gathered in the evenings and where much history was made. Family portraits and all of the most prized decor was usually featured around the fireplace. So it became a fundamental part of home decor.

This is why people still love having fireplaces in their home even though with modern heating, they serve no real necessary function. That is why so many people and mild climates opt for a gas fireplace instead of a real wood burning one. Electric fireplaces somewhat popular in mild climates, and people buy them because there is no installation required. But they usually don't go over very well because they really do look fake.

Anyways, that's my two cents on the topic...

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Comments (11)

Aglitter
3 years ago
Sorry, I don't know anything about concrete fireballs, but I'm confused what you want to do here. Do you want an electric insert that will just appear to have fire but not produce heat? If you're in Florida that seems to be the best direction to head. In that case you might not want the actual heat that fire balls would give off.
PRO
Hansen Wholesale
3 years ago
Can you post some pictures so we can see what needs to be replaced?
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debragoerner
Original Author
3 years ago
This is the fireplace I have It is electric and I live in Florida so to replace it with gas would be cost prohibitive and wasteful. The fireplace I want uses the concrete balls but everything I have seen use gas so I was wondering if anyone had a source for electric concrete balls
Aglitter
3 years ago
last modified: 3 years ago
I don't think you're going to be able to use a product meant for gas consumption with electric flames for warranty issues if nothing else.
Tania
last year
I am wondering if you tried the concrete fire balls in your electric fire place. I also want to use them in mine. I dont see why it wouldn't work. Mine is a pretty realistic one but I hate that glass (its actually plastic) and the balls would look so much better.
Aglitter
last year
It won't work because combustion types are incompatible.
Melissa Frank
last year
If you sit the balls inside the fireplace it wouldn’t hurt right?Even when electric fireplace is turned on the balls would serve as decoration? Not functional
PRO
Hansen Wholesale
last year
The question is: Is there room enough inside the electric fireplace to place the balls? Typically, these are very shallow. The fireballs are typically 4" to 5" in diameter. I suppose you could try to cut them in half or something. We do have balls as small as 2" in diameter, but I don't think that is the look you are wanting.

If you can fit them inside the unit, they would not damage the unit or the fireballs. I'm just not seeing how you would get them inside.

@Melissa Frank, if you can email me some pictures of your electric fireplace along with the brand and model number, I may be able to offer some further advice: gregt@hansenwholesale.com
Melissa Frank
last year
@hansenwholesale looks like the linear fireplace we bought is about 5.8” in depth. So perhaps a 4”?
PRO
Hansen Wholesale
last year
Can you post pictures of the fireplace along with the brand and model number? It may be that deep, but you may or may not be able to remove the logs that come with it as they may be an integrated part of the fire effect.

Can I use concrete fireballs with an electric insert?

Hansen Wholesale

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Aglitter

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Can I use concrete fireballs with an electric insert?

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