Outdoor Electric Fireplaces: Where They Can Go and What to Plan

Short answer: an electric fireplace can go outside only if its manufacturer lists it for outdoor use. Most indoor models are not. Napoleon's Astound manual, for example, is marked "For indoor use only" and says "Do not use outdoors." An outdoor-rated unit such as the SimpliFire Forum is built to run in rain on a patio, porch or outdoor wall. It still has to be set into a framed, sealed and flashed wall, wired to a GFCI-protected circuit, and given a path for water to drain. It also gives light and flame only, not heat.

Indoor electric fireplaces don't belong outside, even under a roof

A covered patio, an open porch or a screened porch still sees blowing rain, humidity, condensation and big temperature swings. Indoor electric fireplaces are not built or listed for that. Their manuals usually ask you to pick a location that isn't prone to moisture. Napoleon's Astound FlexMount manual goes further: indoor use only, never spray with water, and do not use the unit if any part has been under water. Its warranty also excludes damage from water, weather and long periods of dampness.

So the first question isn't "is my patio covered?" It's "does the manual for this exact model allow outdoor installation?" If the answer is no, put it indoors and choose an outdoor-rated unit for the patio.

What an outdoor-rated electric fireplace is built to handle

SimpliFire's Forum Series (models SF-OD43 and SF-OD55) is designed for indoor or outdoor use. The owner's manual (2047-980 Rev. E) states it "is designed to operate outdoors experiencing rain and other sources of moisture." It also says the unit "will shed moderate amounts of water, but is not waterproof." That difference matters. Weather resistant means it tolerates the weather around it. It does not mean water can sit in the wall cavity or be sprayed into the unit.

Heat & Glo, SimpliFire's parent brand, describes the Forum as having coated components, corrosion-resistant materials and UV-resistant logs for long sun exposure. The manual still recommends installing it out of direct sunlight for best results, since a bright flame effect is easier to see in shade.

Where an outdoor electric fireplace can go

The Forum manual sets two location rules. The fireplace must be installed in a framed wall. That wall must be either a standalone structure or an exterior bump-out kept separate from your home's weather envelope. SimpliFire recommends building the chase outside the home's weather envelope.

• Freestanding outdoor wall or kitchen surround: a natural fit. Frame it, sheathe it, finish it in stone, tile or stucco and seal the joints.
• Bump-out on the exterior of the house: allowed when the bump-out is its own enclosure, flashed and kept outside the home's weather barrier.
• Covered patio or open porch wall: works when the unit is set into a framed enclosure that meets the rules above. A roof helps keep the face cleaner, but it doesn't replace the sealing and drainage steps.
• Screened porch or three-season room: the Forum's indoor/outdoor design suits rooms that get damp and cold. An indoor-only model doesn't.
• Not a fit: hanging on a bare exterior wall, a portable or plug-and-play spot, or anywhere that sprinklers, hoses or a pressure washer will hit it directly.

Outdoor electric fireplace planning checklist

1. Confirm the listing. Read the manual for your exact model before you buy. The Forum is ETL-listed to CSA C22.2 No. 250 and UL 962.
2. Frame the opening. Framing is 46-1/4" W x 18-1/2" H x 9" D for the Forum 43 and 58-1/4" W x 18-1/2" H x 9" D for the Forum 55. Clearance to combustibles is 0" on all sides, including the mantel.
3. Plan the finish depth. With the front trim on, the manual allows finishing material up to 5/8" thick. Remove the trim and there is no maximum, which suits stone and brick. A recessed installation allows up to 2-1/4".
4. Seal and flash. The manual requires the unit to be enclosed or covered with finishing material and all joints sealed against water. Flash the opening the way your region normally does. Use exterior silicone caulk.
5. Give water a way out. Water that gets in must be able to drain from under the unit. SimpliFire sells a matching drain pan (SF-OD43-DP or SF-OD55-DP) that directs water toward the front of the enclosure. The pan instructions call for at least 1/4" per foot of slope.
6. Plan the power. The Forum needs a minimum 15-amp, 120-volt circuit. It ships with a GFCI-protected cord. If you hardwire it outdoors, the circuit must be GFCI protected, and the troubleshooting guide recommends a dedicated 15-amp circuit. Avoid extension cords. An electrician should confirm local code.
7. Check your climate. The rated operating range is 14°F to 104°F. In storage it can sit between -20°F and 140°F. On colder nights, leave it off.
8. Keep the remote inside. The remote isn't outdoor rated. Store it indoors when it's not in use.

Forum 43 vs Forum 55 at a glance

Both sizes take the optional ShadowGlo high-definition Natural Birch or Alpine Timber log sets.

Flame without heat: what that means outside

Outdoor electric fireplaces like the Forum have no heater. The manual says it is "not intended for use as a heat source." That cuts both ways.

• Good for: warm-climate patios, summer evenings, restaurant-style ambience, and spaces where you want firelight with no gas line, no smoke and no fuel to store.
• Not good for: warming people on a cold night. If heat is the goal, look at a fuel-burning option, such as an outdoor fire table, and check where it can be used. Our guide on ethanol fire tables on decks, balconies and covered patios covers the clearance questions, and ethanol vs propane fire tables compares heat output.

What it costs to run

With no heater, running cost is small. The formula is watts ÷ 1,000 x hours x electricity rate.

• Assumptions: 36 W (rating plate), 4 hours a night for 30 nights, and 18.21¢ per kWh (EIA's 2026 U.S. average residential price forecast, Short-Term Energy Outlook, October 2026).
• 36 ÷ 1,000 x 120 hours = 4.32 kWh. 4.32 kWh x $0.1821 = about $0.79 a month.

Your rate may be higher or lower. Our electric fireplace running-cost guide shows how to plug in your own numbers.

Care and maintenance outdoors

• Switch off at the breaker or unplug before cleaning.
• Wipe outside surfaces with a slightly damp microfiber cloth and mild detergent, then dry them.
• Never power wash it or let water run into the unit. Don't spray liquids directly onto any surface.
• Keep drain openings and the drain pan's weep slots clear of leaves and debris.
• Some condensation on the glass during temperature changes is normal.
• If the GFCI cord trips, press its reset button. If it keeps tripping, call a qualified electrician.
• Don't use the fireplace if any part has been underwater.

Next step

Browse the SimpliFire outdoor electric fireplaces, or compare the Forum 43 and Forum 55 directly. If you're framing a new outdoor wall, send your planned opening through our free electric fireplace sizing check and we'll compare it with SimpliFire's framing requirements. For wiring questions, start with our guide to electric fireplace electrical requirements, or contact Lumiflares with your patio layout.

Sources

• SimpliFire Forum SF-OD43/SF-OD55 Owner's Manual, 2047-980 Rev. E (4/24), Hearth & Home Technologies
• SimpliFire Forum 43 and Forum 55 Architect Guides
• SimpliFire Forum Drain Pan Installation Instructions, 2047-970 Rev. A
• Heat & Glo, Forum Outdoor Electric Fireplace product page
• Napoleon Astound FlexMount Series Installation and Operation Manual, W415-4173 Rev. G-0
• U.S. Energy Information Administration, Short-Term Energy Outlook, October 2026, Table 2

This guide is for planning and product selection. It does not replace the manufacturer's installation manual, local building and electrical codes, or a qualified installer and licensed electrician.