Amish Heater

That's right, the miracle heaters that we have been hearing so much about on TV this winter and last, are in fact made by the Chinese.  As it turns out, the mantle itself is what is made by the Amish.

Apparently, by giving away the heater at no charge, and simply selling the mantle, the company which markets this heater, is able to avoid any warranty or replacement problems, legally speaking, after the first 30 days.

Consumer Reports and others have rated the Amish heaters, and found the advertising to be misleading, and the product to be overpriced relative to other space heaters. They even make the point that the heater is more expensive to operate relative to other portable space heaters.

The price

The prices on the heat surge heater, have come down a lot in the last year. They were nearly $600, but now they can be ordered from the Heat Surge website for $250 to about $350.

Fake fire

In case you hadn't noticed, this heater actually does not have any flame.  While the heater appears to be burning logs, you are actually seeing a couple of light bulbs giving the optical illusion of burning wood.

Amish Heater (mantle) Pros & Cons

So as for heating your home, the Amish heater appears to be about average in terms of actually creating heat. It does have a remote control to turn the heater on and off and adjust the fake flames, and it appears relatively safe from tip-overs and burns.

The Bottom Line

Of you're looking for a heater to simulate the look of a fireplace, and you're willing to spend a little extra money than the Heat Surge may be right for you. However, if you' want an efficient, economical, and reliable heater, then the professional reviewers say that can be had for about $20 from one of the big box stores.

Have you tried the Roll-n-Glow Amish heater by Heat Surge?  If so, please add your review below.