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Fire Gel with Citronella - A Natural Insect Repellant
The summer season is upon us and millions of people are enjoying longer days, warms evenings and the annual ritual of barbeques and garden parties.
In winter time, we all love the warmth and ambience that a real flame fireplace can bring inside the home.
A new trend has begun to take that ambience into the garden by adding a gel fire bowl or burner to the garden table.
Standard gel burners normally use an ethanol based fire gel such as Firesource, Sunjel, Jensen Real Flame or Farmlight to produce a rich yellow flame and a gentle crackling noise, but a new product on the market combines the features of standard fire gel with the natural properties of Citronella oil.
Citronella oil is produced from the leaves and stems of Cymbopogon grass (commonly known as Lemongrass). The oil is used extensively in perfumery, soaps and even as a flavouring in many products. Citronella Fire Gel is produced by blending Citronella oil with standard ethanol based fire gel. The Citronella produces a mild citrus-like scent, similar to lemons and limes.
Citronella oil has also been used for many years as an effective natural insect repellant, and has been registered for such use in the United States since 1948, long before ethanol fireplaces and burners were developed. Research has also shown that Citronella oil has strong antifungal properties, yet is non-toxic, and has even been found to be effective in calming barking dogs.
A gel fire bowl or burner, combined with Citronella fire gel is a great alternative to skin-based insect repellants which often have a strong scent and can cause skin irritation or damage to clothing. By burning Citronella fire gel in your garden you will enjoy a stunning real flame fire focal point, with the gentle citrus aroma and added benefit brought by its insect repelling properties.
Safety note: Citronella fire gel should never be applied to clothing or the skin as it is a flammable substance designed only for use in a gel fireplace or fire burner.
A wide range of gel burners, designed for garden use, are available from a range of retailers. The most popular styles are made from Terrazzo stone or stainless steel and operate in the same way as a domestic gel fireplace. Popular designs include bowls, cannon ball shape, large block and pyramid shapes. Stainless steel designs range from rectangular blocks to sleek and shiny spheres.
Most gel burners include a refillable gel reservoir, usually made from stainless steel, which can be refilled many times with bottled fire gel. Some models can also accommodate disposable 12oz (500ml) tins of fire gel which are widely available and make it even easier to use.
Enjoy those long balmy summer evenings with the added atmosphere of a real flame gel burner in the garden combined with Citronella fire gel for a pleasant aroma and fewer biting insects.
About the Author Natalie Smith is an interior design consultant at Candela Interiors, a London based gel fireplace specialist retailer. Candela Interiors ship gel fireplaces and gel fire accessories worldwide. For more information please contact us at http://www.candelainteriors.com
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