Fireplace hot when not on?

[rldriver]

Our fireplace with the heater off but the flame on gets rather warm. The glass heats up and you can feel heat out of the top. Is this normal?

How does the unit work to give such a realistic flame?

[HamRad]

Dick and Jackie,
I'd expect a little heat but it certainly should not be so hot as to NOT be able to touch the front. If it is that hot then I'd think something might be wrong.

I have no idea how they make it so real looking but they certainly do a great job!

Dennis

[Mudchief]

Unless they changed the model on the Big Sky there is nothing in there except a light bulb and a small electric motor. Sounds like the heater maybe be coming on without the blower.

[DarMar]

My experience with electric fireplaces is that a certain amount of heat is given off by the light bulbs. These bulbs reflect on to flame shaped mirrors that are mounted on a rotating type of cylinder. That in a nutshell is the science of these fireplaces. As one turns up the flame speed we are just increasing the speed at which the cylinder rotates and reflects light on to the screen.

[Connorsmom]

If I want the fireplace on during the day, I just shut off the heater so it doesn't get too hot in here. I turn the heater back on during the night for Connor and Chloe (the parrots), but turn down the light so it's not too bright. I'm sure you're aware there is a knob to control the heat, as well as a switch to shut the heat off completely. I'm only mentioning this because I personally did not notice the shut off switch for the heater at first. If you've shut off the heater and the vent is still hot to the touch, something definitely ain't right with that.

Jan

[Fire5er]

Ours does the same thing, but it is a 100w light bulb and they put off a lot of heat. Ours is not super hot, just very warm around the metal by the control knobs for the flame speed.

[bsmeaton]

Dick,

It's normal. I chuckled at the DW last night as she turned on the fireplace to stay warm. I could feel the heat around it most the evening, but when I went to shut it off I laughed as she never turned on the heater.

The big difference is the heater will make the front grille "very" hot to touch, the bulb only makes it warm.

[c5racer]

They must of changed the fireplace they use, as ours has 4 40 watt bulbs in the bottom. Never noticed any heat from the fireplace when the heater is turned off. They one in the 5er is the Dimplex brand.