Recommend a cheap, honest gas fire?

[Jason Hallway]

Taking a look at the gas fires available, it looks pretty tacky to me the way some of them have these plastic coals to give a "real" coal effect. What about the types with pebbles, are they real pebbles? If so I might go for that because at least it isn't something pretending to be something that it isn't. Even better are the ones with a real flame effect but these seem to cost around £1000 which is far to steep for what it is. If u do give a recommendation, please give the approx price range, thanks.

[Owain]

Do you want this gas fire for (a) heating the room, or (b) looking pretty?

This immediately limits you to one-third of the available appliances, as approx 1/3rd are decorative, 1/3rd efficient, and 1/3rd neither.

Owain

[Jason Hallway]

Efficiency is the most important with 75% importance, 25% for looking good.

[Owain]

Then you get a 'traditional' gas fire with ceramic radiants, and put a screen in front of it when you're not using it.

Owain

[Ed Sirett]

Then a bog standard outset radiant gas fire (yes they are still made and sold) cost less than £200 and can be got online from screwfix and elsewhere.

They are about 75-80% efficient. There are a choice of styes and finishes.