You have probably seen those commercials on tv for the Amish Fireplace. So what is the story? It's really pretty simple. The Amish Fireplace is basically an electric space heater that looks like a woodburning hearth. So, if you'd like the look and warmth of a fireplace, but can not have one in your home for cost or to other reasons, then you might want to consider this option. If you are looking for one of these, you should know that the official name is The Heat Surge Roll-n-Glow Electric Fireplace, which is a mouthful.
So, here's the low down on Amish Fireplaces. You can get them in four finishes, either Cherry, Oak, white or black. While the cabinets are indeed build by the Amish in Ohio, the electric heating element is manufactured in China. If you have seen the commercials you will have noticed that the cabinets are made to look like a fireplace, include a simulated fire. Some additional options include a bookshelf and mirror.
Do Amish Fireplaces really work? The short answer is yes, like any other electric radiant space heater. Depending on the size of your room, the heater might be enough to heat the entire room, with two power settings (750 or 1500 watts). Of course, electric heat is usually more expensive compared to gas, oil or wood heat. To get an unbiased review of the Amish Fireplace, check out Consumer Reports. This will help you cut through the hype of the infomercials and measure the pros and cons.
Another thing to always keep in mind when using space heaters of any type is safety. While modern heaters often have safety features, like a tipover shutoff switch to shut the unit off if it somehow falls over. You must be careful to keep flammable materials, such as curtains, well away from the heating elements.
The bottom line is that if cost is most important, then you can easily find cheaper or more efficient electric space heaters. A lot of these heaters are pretty ugly, however. But if you are more concerned with the look of the unit and the atmosphere created by an "electric fireplace", then the Amish Fireplace might be worth a look.