Better Than Ever: Escape FireBrick Inserts

Contemporary casual living room with wicker pillowed chairs and traditional gas fireplace.

When you have a heritage of innovation like Heat & Glo, it can be a challenge to choose a single innovation to highlight. So, we went with a product refresh that includes one of our most popular technologies, FireBrick, because it deserves a hearty round of applause and plenty of (very warm!) recognition.

Our Escape FireBrick inserts were recently updated to incorporate some important new and improved features. We’ll cover those in a moment, but first we want to spend time talking about FireBrick, which was introduced nearly 20 years ago before anyone was using fancy business words like “disruptor.”

What is FireBrick and how does it work?

Bed facing fireplace in luxury bedroom with vaulted beamed ceiling and views outside.

FireBrick is a patented ceramic material molded into an authentic masonry design. This mold is then fitted to create the interior of FireBrick gas fireplace inserts. Its design and material retain and intensify the fire’s heat, producing 25 percent more radiant heat than traditional metal fireboxes.

Here’s how Cari Rosendahl, our in-house expert on all things FireBrick, explains it: “What’s unique is that FireBrick is a one-piece design that offers a seamless look. It also traps heat inside the firebox, radiating it back into the room. The result is a much warmer living space and increased fuel savings. It is still the only fireplace material of its kind in the market; no other fireplace company offers it.”

If you’re unfamiliar, gas fireplace inserts are designed to slide right into your existing masonry fireplace. The sealed fireplace unit is fueled by a natural gas line (or liquid propane) instead of logs, and as a result, produces more heat with less fuel.

“Hands down, it is one of the most innovative, time-proven technologies in the industry,” continues Rosendahl. “Gas fireplace inserts with direct vent technology are more efficient than the dated wood fireplaces of yesteryear. It is easy to update an existing wood fireplace to a gas insert, with as little as one day to complete an installation. Saving time is important to most homeowners. Less effort and time spent hauling wood and cleaning up ashes means more time to relax and enjoy the fireplace.”

Escape FireBrick inserts improvements

Recently, we added key features to our popular pair of FireBrick inserts, making them even more attractive. The Escape is available in two sizes (30" and 35") and comes with five front options and our IntelliFire Touch Ignition system with its choice of easy controls in the IntelliFire app, touchscreen remote control or wireless wall switch. You also get anti-reflective glass and ClearVue screens that allow an unobstructed view of the fire.

“We took a great product with one of our most popular innovations and made it even better,” said Rosendahl. “By adding IntelliFire Touch controls, glass and screen upgrades, it’s truly a one-of-a-kind product.”

Winter is coming. Perhaps it’s time to transform your inefficient wood-burning fireplace into a heating powerhouse with this premium insert? Connect with your local authorized dealer today to get started on your project!

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