Tangkula 18" Insert
An insert that fills a 23.98 in firebox opening
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Is the Tangkula 18" Insert any good?
With 6.5 out of 10, the Tangkula 18" Insert ranks 6 of 47 in our comparison. Strengths: 9 flame colors to match the room, Thermostat holds the room at the temperature you set. Weakness: No written warranty on the Amazon listing. Best for: An old wood or gas firebox you no longer burn and want to bring back to life.
In short
The Tangkula 18" Insert is a fireplace insert, 23.98 in wide, with a 1,400 W heater that the maker says warms up to 400 sq ft. It comes with 9 flame colors and a thermostat. It carries a CSA safety listing.
Best for: An old wood or gas firebox you no longer burn and want to bring back to life
What we like
- 9 flame colors to match the room
- Thermostat holds the room at the temperature you set
- Runs the flames without heat, so you can use it in summer
- Shuts off on its own if it overheats
- Low price for what you get ($90 when we checked)
What we don't
- No written warranty on the Amazon listing
- Uses a full 15 A outlet on high, keep other heavy loads off that circuit
Specifications
| Type | Fireplace insert |
|---|---|
| Size | 24"W x 5.2"D x 17.6"H |
| Heater | 1,400 W (4,777 BTU) |
| Heats up to | 400 sq ft |
| Thermostat | Yes |
| Flame without heat | Yes |
| Flame colors | 9 |
| Crackling sound | not published |
| Remote control | Yes |
| Phone app | not published |
| Timer | not published |
| Fuel bed | Log set |
| Fits a TV up to | not published |
| Safety listing | CSA |
| Overheat cut-off | Yes |
| Color / finish | not published |
| Weight | 13 lb |
| Warranty | not published |
Sources: the maker's specs and the product page on Amazon.com. Heat output and coverage are the maker's own claims. If a value is missing, we found it published nowhere.
Score: 6.5 out of 10
Worked out from the specs above. How we score.
Tangkula 18" Insert: common questions
Is the Tangkula 18" Insert any good?
With 6.5 out of 10, the Tangkula 18" Insert ranks 6 of 47 in our comparison. Strengths: 9 flame colors to match the room, Thermostat holds the room at the temperature you set. Weakness: No written warranty on the Amazon listing. Best for: An old wood or gas firebox you no longer burn and want to bring back to life.
How big is the Tangkula 18" Insert?
It measures 24"W x 5.2"D x 17.6"H and weighs 13 lb. Measure your firebox opening at the front and the back before you order, and leave at least half an inch all round.
How much does the Tangkula 18" Insert heat?
The heater runs at up to 1,400 W, about 4,777 BTU, and the maker says it heats up to 400 sq ft. That is supplemental heat for one room, not a furnace. At 16 cents per kWh, running it on full costs about 22 cents an hour. You can also run the flames alone without heat, which costs only a few cents a day.
Does the Tangkula 18" Insert need a special outlet?
No. It plugs into a standard 120 V household outlet. Plug it straight into the wall, not into an extension cord or power strip, and keep it on a circuit without other big loads like a space heater or microwave.
What warranty comes with the Tangkula 18" Insert?
We found no written warranty on the listing or the maker's site. Amazon's return window still applies, so test the heat, the remote and every flame setting as soon as it arrives.
How much does the Tangkula 18" Insert cost?
The last price we saw was $90. Electric fireplace prices move a lot, with the biggest drops around Black Friday and after New Year, so check the current price.
Alternatives to the Tangkula 18" Insert
An insert that fills a 28.5 in firebox opening
An insert that fills a 28.5 in firebox opening
An insert that fills a 23.75 in firebox opening
Head-to-head comparisons
- COSTWAY 28.5" Insert vs Tangkula 18" Insert ($136 against $90)
- Giantex 28.5" Insert vs Tangkula 18" Insert ($136 against $90)