Lucky you! Guess you have a remote that simply turns it on/off and adjusts the flame? Lucky YOU! Guess you don't have to (or GET to according to your thoughts on the subject)buy, stack and bring in real wood (along with the mess and bugs. Guess you don't have to concern your self with embers popping out (because SOMEone prefers the screen down for more heat). And lucky YOU that you don't have the tedious job of cleaning out ashes two or three times during the season and then a final clean out at the end of the season. LUCKY YOU. Lucky me that I at least talked him into piping the fireplace for gas for when he DOES get tired of a "real" fireplace :) Any day now would be fine with me! (LOL) Nicely done :) Monica

The Isokern Fireplace system is a great option comes in 3 sizes and can be vented or vent less. Great for outdoors or indoors. Lightweight and easy to assemble and is gas operated.

I have the same issue, except mine had an electric heating element. I’m planning on doing a high-temp clear coat on the outside, high-temp black on the inside and base, then lining the bottom with firebricks. Fingers crossed!

DON'T DO IT! I grew up in a house for the first nearly 20 years of my life that had a see-through fireplace with glass only on one side and a chain screen on the other. The reason they don't build these is because they cannot draw properly, at least based on what I understand. Your house will be filled with smoke if you ever want to actually use the fireplace. We had to use our fireplace for school art project displays because otherwise we never could use it for anything but display. A professional fireplace consultant that my parents hired came out to see if anything could be done, and it really couldn't. They're just not great ideas unless maybe you put gas logs, but I'd be concerned about proper drafting even with that.