ClassicFlame 33" 3D Infrared Quartz Electric Fireplace Insert with Safer Plug and Safer Sensor, Black

If you are in the market for a faux fireplace (either for an insert to a real firebox, or a room you want an instant fireplace) that is satisfying, requires absolutely no assembly, lots of functions, and serves as a heater to boot, this unit may be for you.First, inserts like this one, are commonly used for placing into the firebox of a real masonry fireplace. Now a non-functioning or for someone not wanting to deal with a real fireplace has an instant replacement. Although looking at it, the fireplace appears to be deep. However, this is just an illusion. The entire unit is only 9.5" deep. The unit has a long AC power cord attached to the lower right rear side of the fireplace. Noted the unit is 33" wide, but fireplace boxes vary greatly. They sell trim kits to fill any spaces if you have gaps.Second, you may not be placing the fireplace into a real firebox, but wanting a fireplace into a room that does not have a fireplace, or could not have a fireplace due to pathways for a flue, etc. Again, they sell surrounds for faux fireplaces that you can choose from (stone, brick, modern, etc.). You can even build your own if handy. The box is insulated in such a fashion that the case does not itself get hot so minimum clearances are needed.Okay, let's talk about the unit itself. This is a glorified "pretty" space heater. To boot, you can turn on the heat and only use it as a "pretty" fire. We had stayed in a state park cabin which usually have a wall space heater. However, in one, it had a free-standing wood stove (made by the same manufacturer) which produced a nice burning fire effect and good heat. I was building a gaming room in a center room of a basement. I wanted a fireplace but not a real one. This would double as a heater if needed for an unconditioned space. I was framing out the room, so I could frame out the surround at the same time and make it custom fit the fireplace unit.Functionality? This unit has it! The remote allows you to turn the unit on or off (and restores the last settings you had set previously). There is a timer that allows it to run to predetermined lengths of time or no timer. There is a brightness function with four step downs from bright to dim. There is a speed function with four step downs from fast to slow flames. There are a number of thermometer settings from warm to hot on the heater too. Lastly there are a pallet of different color flames - orange, yellow, blue, mix, etc. This is something our stove model did not have and are all quite interesting! It should be noted that they mention "3D flame". What that means is that although there are flames behind the logs, there are flashes of light that correspond with those flames across the front of the logs. This gives another added dimension of realism that the flames are enveloping the logs (and in my opinion really look better than many other faux flame units).Some other noteworthy items. Like any space heater, there is always some risk with fire from items coming into close contact with the heater. This particular unit has a safety feature that if something blocking the heat output, the unit will shut off. Further, there is a sensor on a plug that if the cord overheats, it shuts off too. It is recommended that the cord plugs directly into a wall outlet (not an extension cord). If you are using it mainly for fireplace prettiness and not a heater, a standard 15amp outlet will do. If wanting more for heat, then I would place it on a 20amp outlet circuit; as with all direct units with a heating coil (toaster, coffeemaker, space heater), they tend to draw more than a lamp or TV.I gave it a 4-star for heating for two reasons. The infrared heater heats up quickly, but the heat seems anemic for this basement room. In a conditioned room of your house, I assume it would be fine as supplemental heat. Next, when the heater is running, the fan is a bit loud. This takes away from the ambience. Of course, I am using this for a themed gaming room and mainly will be using it for its looks. With lots of people gaming in the room, I want it cool. If it is too cool in the room, I can run it before or during breaks of the game so as not to be distracting.Lastly, there are MANY faux fireplaces. None are exactly like a real fire. I have only seen one faux unit that comes close (which is an 8K faux unit that have a video screen in the back playing a movie of a real fire!). Many people have very specific preferences on the look of the flames, the sound, the smell, etc. Various faux fireplaces all have different ways to try and address these items - none perfectly as a real fire. But, in my opinion, for the size, the flame affects, the functions, etc., it was far cheaper than more expensive models, and look rather good for what I want.I hope this review helps!Jeff

This fireplace insert is exactly what I wanted! It fit perfectly into my fireplace to replace the former insert. It was very easy to install.It has beautiful color selections-even better than my original one.It gives off great heat, the thermostat works perfectly, and you can set it to maintain the heat that is comfortable for you.I really appreciate thewonderful features. I am very, very pleased!

Love this. Brought life back to the mantel. Fit perfectly.

The first one that I've received was defective soon out the box. Sent it back got a replacement.....there's not a day that has gone by, that I haven't turned on my fireplace. Little pricey, but I'm glad that I did.I had chosen this unit base on the reviews. Thank you to everyone who writes reviews on any item that you purchase. I always give my honest review on pretty much everything that I purchase. I believe it helps alot of us out on deciding.

This is a very well made fireplace insert. It lends a cozy feel to the room without needing gass hook ips or the mess of wood fires. I like that the flame appears in front of the logs, as well as in back, as most electric fireplaces seem to project it just in the rear of the logs. I gave it a four versus a five because the flame colors seem a little too pigmented. The blue is very evident instead of just at the base and the general flsmev of the flames can be quite orange. Overall, I am pleased with it, and it’s one of the nicer ones I’ve seen.

Made well

I purchased an electric fireplace from Twin Star and it stopped working while it was still under warranty. I filed a claim with all the requested documents verifying the date of purchase and a Twin Star representative contacted me to tell me that they would replace the fireplace. It has been 6 months and they will not respond to my emails. I can't even get them to update the status of the claim. Customer service is not even a 1-star. Worst customer service and they apparently do not stand behind their products even when they are still under warranty. Stay away from them. They will take your $$$ and disappear.

The media could not be loaded. I researched electric fireplaces for a long time before I made the purchase. I especially wanted flames that looked real. I finally decided on the Classicflame 23". The flames flash behind and in front of the logs.The only thing I wasn't wild about were the fake looking logs with the 4 big orange blobs of light. So, I removed the glass front and carefully painted the logs with black and beige paint. I also added a couple pieces of real logs from the yard.People still can't believe this is an electric fireplace. It really does look real.