When we were at our old cottage we stopped using the coal fire and got a Dimplex Optimist with a fake fire that also had a smoke effect which was produced via a tank of water beneath the log effect base. It went through a whole 1 litre tank in two days even when it was not on all the time. Cue water vapour in the house. We brought it here then my OH decided to put it in front of the fake coal effect fire from the 70's which has a piezo-electric switch to turn the gas on. Ok, it looks nice but takes up half of the hearth. As I have CH I have only turned it on so the red bulb lights up to give a cosy glow. Christmas Eve I tried to turn it on via the remote (yes, I changed the batteries later on) but it wouldn't turn on. After several attempts, one of which made it emit a blast of heat, I threw the remote on the floor and had a think. Should I get another electric stove without the smoke effect or replace the grate and piezo-switch with a nicer one. As the stove is on front of the original fireplace we put an old mirror behind it as it's supposed to sit in front of a wall but then the chimney isn't getting any draught up it which may lead to damp issues methinks. If I need some heat from the electric stove then my CH wouldn't come on so would save on gas bills. If I replace the grate it won't have the rosy glow that I like without putting heat out via gas.
