Buying guide
Dimplex Revillusion
Log set vs firebox
Keep the character of your hearth—or choose the whole firebox.
The decision
Keep the existing hearth, or choose a new interior.
Choose a Dimplex Revillusion log set when the existing hearth is worth keeping. The log appliance sits inside a suitable opening; the surround and the back of that opening remain part of the finished view. Choose a Dimplex Revillusion built-in firebox when you want the appliance to supply the interior, glazing and fire presentation as one defined fireplace.
That is a more useful starting point than comparing nominal widths. A log set does not supply a new decorative firebox, and a built-in firebox is not simply a larger set of logs. The right format depends on what you want to retain and how much of the project you are prepared to change.
Keep the existing hearth
You like the mantel, opening and interior. You want an electric display without replacing those visible elements, and the opening can meet the log appliance’s placement, airflow and electrical requirements.
Choose a new firebox interior
You want a black, brick or concrete-style interior with the appliance’s own front glass and defined proportions. You are prepared to plan the opening, finish and electrical connection around the exact firebox.
Look at the whole opening
Your existing fireplace is part of the log-set effect.
The log set uses layered illuminated Realogs and a partially frosted Mirage Flame Panel behind them. The display is designed to let you see through toward the back of the fireplace. A clean, attractive existing interior therefore contributes to the result; the appliance does not hide every surface behind it.
The firebox gives you another kind of control over the finished look. Choose its actual interior finish and proportions rather than hoping an old opening becomes visually invisible. A black interior and a brick-style interior can read differently in the same mantel, even when they share the Revillusion name.
Compare the project
The complete purchase is different.
| What changes | 20-inch Revillusion log set | 30-inch Revillusion black firebox |
|---|---|---|
| What it supplies | Log appliance, Mirage Flame Panel and remote | Firebox with installed logs, front glass, embers, remote and listed finishing hardware |
| What remains visible | Your existing opening and interior | The selected firebox interior and glazing |
| Opening basis | Recommended minimum for optimal viewing: 24 W × 22 H × 14 D in. | Model-specific framed opening; use the installation drawing |
| Appliance dimensions | 23.7 W × 19 H × 12.5 D in. | 31⅛ W × 26⅝ H × 12⅛ D in. |
| Electrical approach | 120-volt plug-in | 120-volt plug kit or applicable 208/240-volt hardwired arrangement |
| Listed heat | 1,500 watts | 1,300 / 1,975 / 2,575 watts at 120 / 208 / 240 volts |
| Current example price | $429.99 | $2,224.99 |
The log-set opening recommendation is not a construction cutout and not the appliance’s outside dimensions. The 30-inch firebox measurements above are also overall dimensions—not permission to build an opening to those numbers. These distinctions matter when an existing fireplace is tight on height or tapered toward the back.
A higher-priced firebox does not automatically mean more heat on the same outlet. In these examples the 120-volt ratings differ, while the firebox’s higher-output options require the corresponding electrical installation. Choose the format for the finished fireplace first, then plan supplemental heat honestly.
The Hearth Outpost view
Keep what you love. Replace what you want to change.
Our take on the log set
We like the log set when the hearth already has the character the room needs. It lets that architecture stay visible rather than covering it with another enclosure. The purchase makes less sense if the existing interior is the part you dislike: the see-through presentation keeps it in the picture.
Ratings cover the Dimplex Revillusion log-set family.
What owners say
Owners appreciate realistic-looking logs and flames, easy setup and the convenience of enjoying a fire without hauling wood. Some particularly like the effect in the evening. The reflective panel is more apparent to certain owners in daylight, and the heater is often described as supplementary rather than room-transforming. Those are useful expectations for choosing the right location.
Our take on the built-in firebox
We would choose the firebox when a defined interior and finished-front appearance are the point of the project. The ability to select the interior can be more valuable than a slightly different flame setting. Budget for the surrounding work as well as the appliance; it is a different undertaking from positioning a plug-in log set.
Ratings cover the Dimplex Revillusion firebox family.
What owners say
Owners who like Revillusion often point to realistic flames, attractive appearance and straightforward installation. Other feedback is less enthusiastic about flame size, log proportions or operating noise. One installation account highlights the space needed behind the unit for the plug. Together, those experiences make viewing angle, framing depth and checking the supplied accessories especially useful before purchase.
Before ordering
Look beyond the front width.
For a log set, measure width, height and depth through the usable opening—not just across the decorative mantel. Check that the location is dry and suitable, with clearance for air circulation underneath. The manual calls for addressing drafts and chimney debris; an existing fireplace that is prone to dampness is unsuitable.
The log appliance plugs directly into a suitable wall outlet. Its manual requires a 15-amp, 120-volt circuit, with a dedicated circuit preferred and required if the shared circuit repeatedly trips. Plan a compliant outlet and cord route rather than assuming an extension cord solves the distance.
For the firebox, select the exact size, interior and electrical arrangement before framing. Use that model’s instructions for mounting, finished materials, supply wiring and service access. A nominally similar existing opening is not proof of a drop-in replacement.
The 20-inch log set weighs 11 pounds in its manual, compared with 66.5 pounds for the documented 30-inch firebox. Those are appliance weights, not a lifting recommendation, but they reinforce that the installation scopes are different. The range includes 20- and 25-inch log sets, plus several built-in firebox widths and interior treatments. The 36-inch portrait firebox has different proportions from the standard 36-inch model. Confirm the actual catalog combination; a shared family name does not establish identical dimensions.
If you are specifically considering the 24-inch built-in model, our Revillusion 24-inch opening guide addresses that model’s fit. This article helps choose the format before moving into a particular opening plan.
What you need
An ember mat is different from a complete firebox.
Log-set package
- The selected Revillusion log appliance with illuminated logs
- Mirage Flame Panel
- Remote control
- Optional ember mat purchased separately for the documented 20-inch package
Built-in firebox package
- Firebox with installed logs and tumbled glass embers
- Front glass, trim and listed glass hardware
- Remote and supplied plug-kit components
- Surround, framing and electrical work planned separately
Dusting and access remain part of ownership in either format. For the log set, the manual specifically calls for care of the Mirage panel and dust removal around the appliance. Handle it by the heater-box sides rather than lifting by the fragile logs or front grate legs.
Shop the ranges
Continue with the exact configuration.
These cards show a 20-inch plug-in log set and a 30-inch black-interior firebox to illustrate the two formats. They are different project scopes, not interchangeable sizes. The range also includes a 25-inch log set and other firebox sizes and interiors.
Dimplex
Dimplex Revillusion 20-inch plug-in log set
Dimplex Revillusion log-set family rating
$429.99
Plug-in log appliance; the existing opening remains visible.
Dimplex
Dimplex Revillusion 30-inch firebox · black interior
Dimplex Revillusion firebox family rating
$2,224.99
Complete firebox with black interior, installed logs and front glass.
Warranty and documents
Two-year coverage, with service and parts clearly separated.
The documented 20-inch log set and the current firebox manual both provide two-year limited coverage: eligible in-home service in the first year and covered replacement parts in the second. That gives you a useful ownership benefit whichever format suits the room. Accessory terms remain separate.
Dimplex Revillusion log set
Before ordering
A few details worth settling first.
Let’s find the right fit for your project.
Send us a photograph of the fireplace and its usable opening measurements. Tell us what you want to keep and what you want to change; that is the quickest way to narrow the right format.
Speak to an Expert
Good questions
A clearer choice.
Will the log set hide the inside of my old fireplace?
No. Its Mirage Flame Panel is designed for a see-through flame presentation, so the existing interior remains part of the view. A complete firebox is the more relevant format when you want a supplied decorative interior.
Is the log set’s recommended opening the same as its size?
No. The 20-inch model’s manual lists a 23.7-inch overall width and recommends an opening at least 24 inches wide, 22 inches high and 14 inches deep for optimal viewing. These are different measurements.
Does the built-in firebox always produce more heat?
No. Heat depends on the exact model and electrical supply. The compared 30-inch firebox lists 1,300 watts at 120 volts; its higher ratings require the corresponding 208- or 240-volt connection.
Do I need to buy an ember mat?
It is optional for the documented 20-inch log-set package. Choose it if you want the additional ember presentation; it is not a missing firebox or a requirement to operate the supplied flame display.