What is the Best Outdoor Electric Fireplace Right Now?
At The Stove Shop, we’ve been putting fire in homes since 1977. While we love the crackle of wood, modern outdoor living in 2026 is often about connection without the chore. That is why the SimpliFire Forum Outdoor Electric Fireplace is our top pick for your patio or deck this year.
Why the SimpliFire Forum Outdoor Electric Fireplace is Our Favorite for 2026?
The Forum stands out because it solves the biggest headache of outdoor fire features: maintenance. It expands your livable space without the need for propane tanks, gas lines, or seasoned wood piles. We love the easy installation process and quick turn around time. The Forum takes most outdoor living spaces to the next level for a very reasonable budget.
Key Features & Design Weather-Ready Construction: Built with coated, corrosion-resistant components and UV-resistant logs to thrive in the elements year-round.
Stunning Visuals: Features 4 flame colors and 13 LED ember bed color options, allowing you to tailor the ambiance to your mood.
Dual Media Options: Every unit comes standard with both clear crystals and driftwood logs. For a premium look, we recommend the optional ShadowGlo HD logs in Alpine Timber or Natural Birch.
TV-Friendly (No Heat): Because this is an ambiance-only, heat-free unit, you can safely mount a TV or expensive artwork directly above it without worrying about heat damage.
Framing Dimensions for the Forum Outdoor Electric Fireplace
If you are planning a project, here are the critical “cheat sheet” numbers for the Forum 43 and 55 models:
| Model | Unit Width | Framing Width | Framing Depth | Viewing Area |
| Forum 43 | 46″ | 46-1/4″ | 9″ | 43″ x 15″ |
| Forum 55 | 58″ | 58-1/4″ | 9″ | 55″ x 15″ |
Important Info: Budget & Safety
- Power Requirements: Requires a dedicated 15 Amp, 120V/60Hz circuit.
- Outdoor Safety: For outdoor use, the circuit must be Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI) protected.
- Moisture Management: We highly recommend installing the optional drain pan to move moisture away from the unit and extend its lifespan.
- Clearances: This unit features zero clearance to combustibles on all sides, letting you finish with stone or tile right to the edge for a seamless, built-in look.
- Budget: We have found the average all-in cost of a new outdoor electric fireplace installation to be around $3,400 depending on your finishing materials.
Top Pick: SimpliFire Forum Outdoor Electric Fireplace
The SimpliFire Forum is the ultimate “set it and forget it” luxury for outdoor entertaining. It offers a clean, linear look that fits modern design trends while prioritizing the health and safety of your home by eliminating open flames and gas risks. As trends develop, we will keep an eye on emerging outdoor electric fireplaces and hopefully add to this list as the industry evolves. Have recommendations? Please reach out to us at The Stove Shop.
If at any point in time, you clicked on a link and ended up on Amazon it is because we believe you can do this installation yourself or with the help of a local contractor. At The Stove Shop, we sell and install these products, but we can not serve everyone, everywhere. We believe it is best to point you in the right direction so you can purchase this outdoor electric fireplace and get started! Reader’s note: As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
