Dimplex

Choosing a Dimplex

The flame technology is what you are paying for

Price differences across this range are almost entirely about how the flame is produced. LED projection, used across the Ignite and IgniteXL ranges, is convincing behind glass in a linear format and is the sensible choice for most rooms. Revillusion applies LED to a hearth-shaped firebox with a curved rear screen, so it holds up when viewed from an angle rather than straight on — which is why it suits an existing masonry opening. Optimyst is a different machine altogether: an ultrasonic transducer atomises water into fine mist, lit from beneath, producing flame and smoke with real volume. It is the closest thing to a live fire without combustion, and the difference is far more obvious in person than in a photograph.

Optimyst needs water, and that is a maintenance commitment

The realism asks a little of you in return. An Optimyst unit holds a water reservoir that has to be topped up in normal use. Dimplex says ordinary tap water is fine unless your supply is hard, in which case use softened or distilled instead — and if you use distilled, the manual asks you to add an eighth of a teaspoon of salt to the reservoir, because the mist needs some mineral content to form. The transducer that generates the mist is replaceable: if the effect weakens and cleaning does not restore it, that is the part to change. None of this is difficult, but it is a fireplace that wants attention every few days of use, which a conventional LED unit does not.

Indoor only, and single-sided

Worth being direct about: nothing in the Dimplex range we carry is rated for outdoor installation, and nothing is three-sided or see-through. An indoor-rated electric fireplace put in a covered outdoor room will fail, because humidity and temperature swings reach electronics that were never sealed against them. If the fireplace is going on a patio, or needs to be visible from two rooms, look at Amantii instead.

Firebox, insert or linear

Dimplex sells both complete linear fireplaces and standalone fireboxes. A firebox such as the Nova or the built-in Deluxe range is meant to drop into a mantel package or a framed opening you build, which is why the price looks low next to a finished linear unit — you are buying the appliance, not the surround. Revillusion is sized to fit existing masonry openings. Check what is in the box before comparing prices across the range, because a firebox and a finished fireplace are not the same purchase.

Heat and wiring

As with every electric fireplace, a 1,500 watt heater on 120V gives about 5,100 BTU — supplemental warmth for a room rather than a heating system, and it does not scale with the width of the unit. That draws roughly 12.5 amps, most of a 15 amp circuit, so manufacturers call for a dedicated circuit. Larger models and the vapour units are often hardwired, so confirm the requirement and the wiring entry point before framing.

Dimplex FAQs

How does Dimplex Optimyst work?

An ultrasonic transducer sitting in a water reservoir atomises water into an extremely fine mist, which is lit from below and drawn upward so it behaves like flame and smoke. Because the effect is made of actual suspended water rather than projected light, it has genuine three-dimensional volume and you can pass your hand through it. There is no combustion, no heat from the flame itself, and no venting required.

Does an Optimyst fireplace need refilling?

Yes. It holds a water reservoir that has to be topped up in normal use. Dimplex says ordinary tap water is acceptable unless your water is hard, in which case use softened or distilled instead — and if you use distilled, the manual asks you to add an eighth of a teaspoon of salt to the reservoir. The transducer that generates the mist is a replaceable part: if the effect weakens and cleaning does not restore it, that is what to change. If you want realism with no upkeep at all, an LED model from the Ignite or Revillusion range is the better choice.

Can a Dimplex fireplace be installed outdoors?

No. Every Dimplex model we carry is rated for indoor installation only. Putting one in a covered outdoor room will eventually destroy it, because humidity and temperature swings reach electronics that were never sealed against them. For a covered patio or porch you need a unit specifically rated for indoor and outdoor use, and the Amantii range covers that.

What is the difference between IgniteXL and Revillusion?

IgniteXL is a linear built-in designed to be viewed straight on, with LED flame behind a long glass front, and it suits contemporary rooms and media walls. Revillusion uses a curved rear screen and a hearth-shaped firebox so the flame still reads correctly when you look at it from an angle, which is what you need when the fireplace sits in a traditional masonry opening. Choose by the shape of the opening and the style of the room rather than by price.

How much heat does a Dimplex electric fireplace give?

About 5,100 BTU from the standard 1,500 watt heater on a 120V circuit, which will take the chill off a room but is not a substitute for central heating. The output is fixed by the electrical supply, so a 100 inch model heats no more than a 30 inch one. The flame runs independently of the heater, so the fireplace can be used year-round with the heat switched off.

Related collections

• All electric fireplaces
• Built-in electric fireplaces
• Electric fireplace inserts
• Dimplex Revillusion
• Dimplex Opti-Myst
• Electric log sets
• Amantii