PuraFlame Western Electric Fireplace Insert With Sound
The PuraFlame Western is a plug-in electric fireplace insert with a crackling sound and a glass front. It suits a firebox that needs a flame look and a little supplemental heat, but it's not a main heater.
On this page (13 sections)
- What the PuraFlame Western is made of
- Will the PuraFlame Western fit your opening?
- Sound and flame settings on the PuraFlame Western
- How much heat the PuraFlame Western gives
- Does the Western need a vent or flue?
- Plug-in setup, cords and outlets
- Heat, clearance and a TV above or beside it
- Care, upkeep and the overheat cut-off
- Who should buy the PuraFlame Western, and who should skip it
- Before you set it in place
- PuraFlame Western or the PuraFlame Klaus?
- Our score and what it weighs
- Is this electric fireplace insert with sound the right pick?
The PuraFlame Western is a 35 in wide electric fireplace insert with a fire crackling sound, a glass front and a remote. It's a Western-style insert that sits inside a firebox or opening and plugs into a 120 V outlet.
It's a supplemental heater with a flame look, so it suits a room you sit in on cold evenings. It's not a plan to heat the whole house.
We compared its size, heat, sound and setup against what a homeowner with a living room, a TV wall or an old firebox needs.
What the PuraFlame Western is made of
The body is metal with tempered glass, and the log is a resin piece sitting above an ember bed. Together they give the opening a finished look without any real fuel.
The resin log is about 11.8 in high on the grate, and it's the first thing you see through the glass. PuraFlame says the three-sided brick interior and the clean glass front trim give it a wood-fire look.
The finish is powder-coated black. PuraFlame says there's no dust or ash to clean out, since the flame and the log are electric.
At 46.7 lb, it's heavy enough that you'll want help moving it into place.
Will the PuraFlame Western fit your opening?
PuraFlame gives the overall size as 35 1/16 in wide, 26 31/32 in high and 8 25/32 in deep. The firebox measures 32 1/8 in wide, 25 9/16 in high and 7 51/64 in deep.
PuraFlame's product name gives 33 1/16 in wide and 25 9/16 in high, so the overall figures above are the larger numbers to plan around.
PuraFlame says to contact it before ordering if you're not sure the unit suits your opening. Its flat bottom lets the insert sit on the floor directly.
Will this electric fireplace insert with sound fit an old firebox?
It can replace an old fire if the opening is the right size, and PuraFlame says the old logs have to come out first. Our guide to putting an electric insert in an existing fireplace covers the measurements to take.
At 8 25/32 in deep overall, a shallow recess may not take the unit. Compare the opening's width, height and depth with PuraFlame's numbers, and for the steps, see how to install an electric fireplace insert.
Sound and flame settings on the PuraFlame Western
The fire crackling sound and three flame intensity settings are the main features, and the flame runs with or without heat. That lets you use it as a flame-only display in warm months.
Run the flame alone for a quiet evening, or add heat when the room is cold. PuraFlame doesn't say whether the crackle can be turned off, so weigh the sound if you want a silent flame.
How much heat the PuraFlame Western gives
The heater has a 750 W low setting and a 1,500 W high setting, and PuraFlame rates it for up to 400 sq ft as supplemental heat. PuraFlame gives about 4,600 BTU for the heater.
Electric fireplace insert heat settings and running cost
At 1,500 W the heater uses 1.5 kWh for each hour, so multiply that by your own rate to estimate running cost. Use the low setting when you only need a little warmth.
PuraFlame says it isn't a main heat source, which is the right way to think about it: a zone heater for the space around it. The adjustable thermostat lets you set a comfort level instead of running at full power.
The 400 sq ft figure is the maker's claim, and a large, open room will feel the heat less. For general space heater tips, the Consumer Product Safety Commission is a good source.
Does the Western need a vent or flue?
No, the Western is electric, so it doesn't need a flue, and the venting guide explains what still matters. Keep the air openings clear and follow the manual's clearance notes.
Questions about an old chimney or damper belong to a chimney professional. Have one check the chimney before you set an insert in an old firebox.
Plug-in setup, cords and outlets
The Western plugs into a 120 V outlet and can't be hard-wired, so it needs an outlet close enough for its cord. That's the main setup step.
Check the manual for where the cord exits and how long it is. Plan the spot so the cord reaches the outlet without stretching or crossing a walkway.
Because it can't be hard-wired, the unit itself needs no wiring job. A new outlet is a different matter, and a licensed electrician should handle that.
Follow the maker's manual for placement, and keep the cord away from the heater's air openings.
Heat, clearance and a TV above or beside it
Read PuraFlame's and your TV maker's heat and clearance notes before you put a TV near the Western, because those notes set the spacing. Neither note is a promise that a TV is fine nearby.
Don't assume a TV is safe above or beside the Western just because it's a plug-in unit with a 750 W setting. Follow both manuals, and never guess a distance.
Care, upkeep and the overheat cut-off
Upkeep is light, since there's no ash or soot. PuraFlame says the unit shuts off automatically if it overheats.
PuraFlame backs the insert with a one-year limited warranty. For cleaning the glass and the log, follow the manual, since the maker's care notes cover the finish and the materials.
The remote takes 2 AAA batteries, which PuraFlame includes. PuraFlame also says the unit is easy to install and uninstall, which suits a firebox you may want to clear out again later.
Who should buy the PuraFlame Western, and who should skip it
The Western suits a homeowner with a roomy opening, an outlet nearby and a wish for a crackling sound. It's built for a flame look with some supplemental warmth, not for heating a whole home.
Its 35 in width and 8 25/32 in depth ask for a deep, wide opening, so it's a poor match for a shallow wall recess. It suits a sitting room or living room with an old firebox or a cabinet opening.
Skip it if you want a silent flame, a whole-house heater, a hard-wired unit or one that hangs on a bare wall. For a bare wall, our best wall mounted electric fireplaces list covers the slim units that hang there.
Before you set it in place
Settle the opening, the outlet, the cord route and the weight before you start. Those four things decide most of the setup work.
Pick the outlet spot with the cord reach in mind. Get a helper for a 46.7 lb unit, and treat the manual's placement and clearance notes as the final word.
PuraFlame Western or the PuraFlame Klaus?
The Western suits a smaller opening with a plug nearby, while the Klaus suits a wider opening that needs a trim kit. Both plug into a 120 V outlet, and neither can be hard-wired.
Both use a resin log over an ember bed, 3 flame settings, a fire crackling sound and a 750 W and 1,500 W heater with a 400 sq ft claim.
The Western is 35 1/16 in wide overall and 8 25/32 in deep. The Klaus is bigger at 44.1 in wide and 10 in deep, and it adds the trim kit.
Our score and what it weighs
The Western scores 8.7 because it has a plug-in setup, a sound feature and a clear use, and it loses some points for its weight and size. It's a strong pick for the right opening, not a universal one.
Our score weighs specs, features and buyer feedback against what you're shopping for. We research products rather than test them ourselves, so the score rests on specs, features and the maker's claims.
PuraFlame Western
- 35 1/16 in wide overall
- Fire crackling sound with three flame settings
- 750 W and 1,500 W heat settings
- Remote control and adjustable thermostat
- Plugs into 120 V and cannot be hard-wired
- One-year limited warranty
A plug-in insert with a crackling sound and a glass front. It suits a deep, wide opening, and PuraFlame calls it a supplemental heater.
Pros
- Plugs into a standard 120 V outlet
- Crackling sound and three flame settings
- Flame runs with or without heat
- Remote control and adjustable thermostat
Cons
- Weighs 46.7 lb, so plan for help on moves
- At 35 in wide and 8 25/32 in deep, it needs a roomy opening
- Not a main heat source
Is this electric fireplace insert with sound the right pick?
Pick the PuraFlame Western if you have a roomy opening and want a crackling sound with a plug-in setup. It's the best match for a traditional firebox that has an outlet nearby.
Skip it if your opening is shallower than the unit or you need a hard-wired unit. For more options, see the best electric fireplace inserts roundup, or the electric insert vs electric log set comparison if you're weighing a log set.
For the other types of electric fireplace, the wall mounted and recessed electric fireplace guide covers the full range.
Frequently asked questions
Does the PuraFlame Western plug in?
Yes, PuraFlame says it runs on 120 V and plugs into an outlet, and that it cannot be hard-wired. Check the manual for where the cord exits and how far it reaches, and have a licensed electrician add any new outlet.
How much heat does the PuraFlame Western give?
It has a 750 W low setting and a 1,500 W high setting, and PuraFlame rates it for up to 400 sq ft as supplemental heat. At 1,500 W it uses 1.5 kWh for each hour, so multiply that by your own rate to estimate running cost.
Can a TV go above the PuraFlame Western?
Read the fireplace maker's and the TV maker's heat and clearance notes first, since those set the spacing. Don't assume a TV is safe above or beside the Western just because the insert fits the opening, and ask a pro if the two sets of notes leave you unsure.
Does the PuraFlame Western need a vent?
No, it's electric, so it makes no smoke or fumes and needs no flue, but the manual's air-opening and clearance notes still apply. Have a chimney professional check any old chimney or damper before you set an electric insert in an old firebox.
