Fireplace Mantel

[Bobcat]

Just wondering if this is a concern. When using the fireplace, the underneath of the mantle gets very hot. Thought of putting a refective material there. What is everybody's thought on this?

[Wrenchtraveller]

I did ceramic tile over wood on my fireplace and the tile never gets beyond warm to the touch.

My Dimplex Electric fireplace has it's own metal shield at the top.

If your wood ever gets too hot to touch, I would be concerned.

[Hemlockusa]

I have watched this very carefully, we just came back from a little trip Missouri, Arkansas, Tenn and Mississippi. It got very cool in a few of the state parks up in the hills of Arkansas. We tried the electric fireplace. used it all the time, your right about the mantel getting extremely hot, but never to hot to touch. The first few nights I was concerned and got up several time's to check.. All ok. We used it all night long... Our furnace never kicked on and we were very comfortable. This Monday I believe I will call Dimplex and ask them about OUR concerns and I will relay their comments on this thread.

[Montana Sky]

Have been using my fireplace over the past 3 summers. To date I have not had any issues with the mantle getting hot, or any other issues from the heat of the fireplace. I do leave the metal grate down while I have the heater on as that baby gets really hot to the touch.

[Parrothead]

We don't have any problems with ours and I have candles sitting on the mantel. Warm, yes, but not so hot that I would be worried.
Happy trails..........................

[bobgay]

When we first started using ours, I noticed the underside of the mantel got very hot when the louvered grate was left down. When it is up, the louvers seem to direct the heat out and down away from the mantel, leaving the mantel much cooler.
Bob

[dmr1021]

We've seen the same thing with the louvres. We also keep the ceiling fan going to circulate the warm air in the room and it seems to help move the heat away from the mantel.

[Hemlockusa]

Dimplex Customer Service just returned my call The Ladies name was Cheryl. She advised that the mantel should be safe, when the fireplace is in operation. HOWEVER OK HOWEVER she said this fireplace is not by any means to be used as the MAIN HEAT SOURCE. She said it would be unsafe NEVER leave on over night while sleeping. She said to leave the fireplace on no longer than 3 hours at a time and then let it cool. She was very concerned that some folk's were using this as a main heat source. ( I am going to post this in the General Topic also as many more read that. Don't want anyone burtned or hurt. Safe Travels John

[snfexpress]

John,

I got the same message when I told them about the burned connector block inside the unit.

[bobgay]

John, thanks for the heads-up. I think this is really outrageous. What did they think people were going to use these things for? This spring we used ours almost 24/7. We didn't have any problems, but it is scary to think we may have unwittingly put ourselves in danger.

I hope your post gets through to everyone using these things. If the fireplaces are unsafe, the company needs to recall them, or at the very least warn people who have purchased them. Some personal injury lawyer will have a field day with this one.
Bob

[Hemlockusa]

Bob - I too was shocked when the Lady told me how to use the fireplace, From what she indicated to me, most of us have been very lucky SO FAR.. I do believe that there should be more information provided in the owners manuel. I wasn't all that concerned until I talked to the Lady, She was addiment about it's use. I hate to think that these issues were omitted from the owners manuel, as in my case it was used by the salesman as being a safe alternative to the LP furnace and a cost saving device for us as owners, by using CG electricity. Anyway I just hope this information make's everyone a little more aware and everyone is a little more careful. John

[Wrenchtraveller]

I think Dimplex is just doing a standard CYA reply. I think the real message is an electric fireplace is made to supplement your main heat supply and not a high enough quality to run 24/7 for very long. I think they are more worried about the cheap little motors turning the tinsel shaft to create the flame effects than they are the main elements.

I personnally would never leave any little electric heater unattended.

I bought the Dimplex electrc fireplace insert for my 2955RL and built it in myself. Nowhere in the manual did I read that 3 hours was the maximum I could run it. I will read the manual over again tonight to make sure I did not miss anything but how can an appliance maker limit the number of hours you use something?

[Charlie]

For those concerned about the fireplace mantle getting too hot, it takes about 500-550 degrees F. for auto ignition of wood. My opinion is that the mantle does not come anywhere near these temperatures if the fireplace is used properly.

[campbud]

I have not read anywhere either about the 3 hour runtime...Thanks for the info on this!