Technabob » fireplace

Zelda Fireplace Art Will Warm Your Heart, But Not Your Body

Lambert Varias — Sun, 13 May 2012 18:00:43 +0000

Do you have a decorative fireplace? That’s the opposite of dangerous, but you still shouldn’t let it be alone. Equip it with the Zelda Fireplace Art, aka The Lazy Man’s Fireplace: set it and forget it. You don’t have to worry about it burning out or burning your house down.

The painting depicts the fire graphic from the Legend of Zelda game and can be ordered on canvas or wood.

You can order the Zelda Fireplace Art from James Bit Originals on Etsy. The list price is $110 (USD), but prices may still vary depending on the measurements of your fireplace. If you’d rather have something a bit cleverer – 8-bits cleverer to be exact – you can also try making a papier-mâché version of the graphic.

[via Fancy]

Serafin Liquid Fireplace: The Coolest Flames You’ll See on Your Wall

Hazel Chua — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:00:57 +0000

There’s just something so warm and dreamy about walking into the living room and seeing a fire crackling in the fireplace. However, they can be a hassle to clean, and starting up the fire can become quite the chore. And if you think about it, fireplaces look out of place in many more modern houses nowadays.

But then came Serafin’s Wall Mount Liquid Fuel Fireplace. Your home could be really cramped for space but you could still have the comfort that a fireplace can provide, right on your very own wall.

The entire thing was made to look like a blank metal canvas on the wall if it’s not being used, so it doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb in your home. The fireplace makes use of a natural ethanol-based fuel, too, so you don’t have to worry about ventilation or anything of that sort because it burns so cleanly.

You can get your own wall-mounted fireplace from Amazon for $649(USD).

[via 7gadgets]

App-Controlled Fireplace: For Lazy Romantics

Lambert Varias — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:30:05 +0000

Back in the olden days, starting a fire in a fireplace was a trick, something that had to be learned. I should know. I live in the tropics. And back in the olden days, man didn’t even know how to start a fire period. Now what do we have? Fireplaces that are Wi-Fi connected and can be controlled with mobile apps.

The tech was developed by New Zealand-based fireplace manufacturer Escea and is currently available in their two latest models, the DX1500 and DL850. Both fireplaces can be operated remotely by an iOS app – shown above – eliminating the need for a dedicated remote control or any conjuring skills. An Android app is also being developed. Both models can also be integrated with home automation systems.

The list of character-building activities continues to dwindle. What’s next, an app that pitches tents? I would buy that. I have built my character using weakness and resignation.

[via Design Milk]

Fireplace Computer Casemod Runs a Little Hot

Technabob — Wed, 08 Dec 2010 03:43:48 +0000

What better way to keep warm this winter but by the crackling warm glow of an LCD screen with a PC behind it.

Now I know that custom PCs are often overclocked and can generate a bunch of heat, but I doubt that this fireplace computer would keep your room as warm as a real fire. At least they could have put an original Xbox 360 in there. Whoa. Snap. Who said that? Yeah, I did.

How about that devilish fire in the second photo – it’s just a little more ominous than that warm and cozy fire in the first pic, eh?

I really couldn’t find out much about this casemod, but when I saw these pics over on Mike Deal (aka ZoneDancer)’s Flickr stream, I had to post them. All I can figure is that it was on display at the recent PDXLAN 16.5 event in Portland. That’s about it. Let me know if you guys find out who built this awesome thing, so I can give credit where credit is due.

LED Yule Log Definitely Won’T Burn Down the House

Technabob — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 04:45:16 +0000

If you don’t want to go out of the way to buy a 3D TV and glasses so you can watch Comcast’s ridiculous 3D yule log channel, why not grab one of these tiny desktop fireplace simulators instead. It’ll cost you way less than a new TV, it requires no glasses, and is actually a 3-dimensional thing.

The “Fireplace Simulacra” is powered by a 9-volt battery, and produces a delightful warm glow from its orange LEDs. You might want to buy a bottle of Liquid Smoke and wave it underneath your nose when you power it on to complete the illusion.

Here’s a quick video showing off the LED Yule Log in all its wintry glory:

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

You can grab one over at the MakerSHED for just $15.99 (USD),

Yule Log Tv Show Goes 3d on Comcast

Shane McGlaun — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 18:06:54 +0000

I would bet most of us at one time or another has run across that holiday season channel on TV where all you see is a crackling fireplace with holiday music playing. Yeah, it’s pretty stupid. I remember running across it as a kid, and thinking it was much lamer than other cool holiday programming like Charlie Brown or that one-year they played that Ewok Christmas special.

If you are the boring sort that likes to stare at a fake fireplace, Comcast has seriously upgraded the Yule log watching experience for this holiday season. You can now stare at the fake burning log in full 3D. I might watch it if they occasional showed some 3D boobage too.

I think the only thing worse than actually having to sit on the couch and watch the Yule log burn would be having to sit and watch it burn wearing 3D glasses, and getting a headache while doing it. Cleaning up wrapping paper would be more fun.

My Fireplace for the Wii: Burning Down the House

Lambert Varias — Fri, 07 May 2010 12:09:17 +0000

The ESRB’s website has frequently been a source of video game leaks and spoilers, but I don’t know what to make of this. Apparently there’s an upcoming game for the Nintendo Wii in which players tend to a fireplace. I’ll give you time to pick up your jaw from the floor.

Got it? Okay. Prepare to have your jaw re-dropped: According to the ESRB, My Fireplace “is a simulation game in which players can tend to a virtual fireplace. Players can add logs to the fire, add decorations to the mantle, and pump air into the fireplace to keep the flames burning.”

How…why…who…what the hell is going on Nintendo?!!

[via Inquisitr]

Rolling Fireplace Makes Fire as Dangerous as Possible

Range — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 17:42:06 +0000

Sick of having your fireplace stuck in the same room all the time? Well look no further, because this is the rolling fireplace that will set your fire free.

Who doesn’t love fireplaces? Heck, even if it’s pretty warm, a roaring fire always does some good. What’s annoying with fireplaces is that they stay in only one place. That’s why it’s cool to see this rolling fireplace. You can take it with you wherever you go.

Naturally, if this thing falls over, your house might burn down. I wonder how secure it is? Still, it looks amazing. I wouldn’t mind having one of those, but be careful if your floors are uneven!

The fire uses bio-ethanol as its combustion source, and is made by Commoto. It’s available for €2,490 (appx. $3567 USD) at their online shop.

[via NotCot]

Looftlighter: Flame on Without a Flame on

Lambert Varias — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:49:20 +0000

Instead of fire, or even sparks, the Looftlighter uses hot air – hot as in more than 1000°F – to light things up. The Looftlighter is named after its inventor, Richard Lighter. No wait: his real name is Richard Looft, a (former?) theater director who got tired of having his barbecued chicken taste like lighter fluid. So Looft did what any Swedish theater director in his right mind would do: “He poured coal into a toaster”. No-brainer right? Even a third grader can guess what Looft did next: “he turned the flow around in a vacuum cleaner and discovered that the coal got ready to use in just a few minutes!” I mean come on. I could’ve thought of that.

It’s not the quickest way to start a fire, and when you first fire it up it may seems like it’s not doing anything, but because it doesn’t use lighter fluid you’ll save a lot in the long run. That and your chicken barbecue won’t taste like lighter fluid anymore. Unless you actually put lighter fluid on it.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

You can order the Looftlighter at ThinkGeek for $80 (USD). I’d buy a low-powered version of this so I can use it for pranks.

[via Chip Chick]

IPod Catches Fire

Technabob — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 13:35:03 +0000

For those of us in Northern climates, there’s not much worse than standing outside waiting for the bus in the freezing cold. Sometimes your coat, scarf and gloves just aren’t enough to keep you warm. So I’m pleased to tell you about the latest in portable fireplace technology, the iYule.

While it actually won’t keep you toasty, the iYule will get you thinking warm thoughts. Just load the 30-minute video loop onto your iPod and you’ll have a tiny little virtual fireplace in your hands.

Click to View Embedded Video Clip

The iYule video costs between $5 and $10 depending on the video formats you need. If you think that’s a bit expensive for a single video clip, keep in mind that the creators of the iYule are donating a portion of their profits to charity. For the cheapskates among us, you can probably find a video clip of a fireplace over on YouTube to achieve the same result.

[via GearDiary]

Stainless Fireplace Adds Drama Without Construction

Technabob — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 14:50:52 +0000

One of the latest trends in the interior design world is fireplaces which use modern ethanol-based fuels. While they don’t give off a tremendous amount of heat, they look amazing, are virtually odorless, and don’t require external ventilation. The latest standalone fireplace from Blomus really caught my eye.

The Blomus Chimo cylinder fireplace is designed to be placed in the middle of your living room instead of against a wall. The whole thing is built on a rotating base, so you can turn the fire to face whatever direction you’d like. Its sleek stainless steel finish looks great in a modern space or helps to bring a touch of modernism to a traditional room.

It measures in at a manageable 33.1″ tall by 11.8″ in diameter, so it’ll even work in smaller urban dwellings. (Although I’d bet it would be against the rules to have one of these in your college dorm room.)

The Chimo cylinder fireplace is available from Unica Home for $1872.

Hide Your Flat Screen Tv in Your Fireplace

Technabob — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 17:59:13 +0000

For those of you who want to have a big flat-panel TV and want satisfy the wife/girlfriend factor too, this new fireplace could be just the trick. This innovative fireplace designed by Picture House lets you conceal your flat-panel LCD or Plasma behind the fireplace when not in use.

Available in several modern and classical designs, the clever cabinets feature a ventless fireplace that requires no chimney or flue. The whole system is actually free-standing, and can be installed in any home without cutting into walls or running gas lines. Depending on the model, the cabinets can accommodate televisions from 37 to 50-inches. Prices range from