Electric Fire Flame Technology

Flame Technology

There are four main types of technology that are used to create realistic flame patterns in the latest electric fires and stoves. Each tech has its own characteristics, and some fires use more than one technology.

All four technologies offer different flame effects, and it’s down to personal preference which flame technology someone prefers. Fires with all four technologies can be viewed working live in our central London showroom.

LED Fires

LED fires use a rotisserie system, where light from arrays of high-intensity Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) bounce off reflective elements attached to a rotating spindle. The LEDs automatically blend different light intensities, to realistically recreate the deep oranges, bright yellows, and cool blues found in a real wood or gas flame. To create the illusion of fire, the scattered light is projected upwards onto a dark background panel or screen inside the fire.

LED fires and stoves generally offer the cheapest flame option.

LCD Fires

LCD fires use an LCD TV screen at the back of the firebox to display high-definition video of real log fires shot in a studio. Because actual footage is used, every single curl of smoke, sudden pop of an ember, and natural colour shift from deep blue to bright yellow is perfectly organic, and therefore very realistic.

LCD fires and stoves tend to cost more than LED fires.

Holographic Fires

Holographic fires also use a LCD TV screen to show actual footage of a real wood fire, but the screen is mounted in the top of the firebox pointing down. The images shown are then reflected off a glass screen set at 45 degrees within the firebox. This gives the illusion of the flames emerging from the logs within the firebox.

Holographic fires are the most expensive electric fire option.

Vapour Fires

Vapour Fires use a water reservoir connected to an atomiser that creates a very fine cold water mist. A small, ultra-quiet internal fan then pushes the mist upward through a narrow slot or nozzle. As the mist is incredibly light, the natural thermal currents in the room cause it to swirl, rise, and dissipate like real smoke. Underneath the rising mist sits a row of LEDs or halogen lights, and as the mist passes through the light beams, they catch and reflect the illumination, replicating the look of rising smoke and real flames. The water reservoir can be topped up manually, or in some vapour fires can be connected to the mains water supply

Vapour fires can vary in price.

Logs and Ember Beds

To complete the 3D visual effect, manufacturers add logs and other elements to complete the look of a real fire. The logs can be real wood logs or realistic hand-painted ceramics logs, some of which are fitted with pulsing LEDs that make the logs look like they are glowing. Most manufacturers also use pulsing LEDs under the fuel bed to recreate the glowing embers found at the base of a real wood fire.

If you would like to experience the latest electric fires live, please make an appointment to visit our London showroom, or contact us if you need any help before buying a fire or stove online.