Empire Vail 26 Vent-Free Fireplace with Intermittent Pilot Control

The Vail 26 arrives with everything you need to get a fire going: a set of logs, the Empire Contour Burner, black frame, hood, louvers, and an AC/DC power adaptor with battery backup — no venting products required, full stop. At 20,000 BTU on natural gas, this is a fireplace that earns its keep on cold nights, not just on the cover of a design catalog.

The 26-inch wide by 18.12-inch high viewing area gives you a genuinely generous fire picture, framed by a matte black metal interior and black unitized louvers that keep the aesthetic cohesive and clean. Rock wool insulation is built in, and the overall footprint — 30 inches wide, 30.25 inches tall, 13.25 inches deep — fits standard rough framing of 30.25 inches (W) x 30.37 inches (H) x 13.25 inches (D), making it a practical choice for built-in cabinetry or a custom mantel surround.

Ignition is handled by an Intermittent Pilot (IP) Control with an on/off switch — a system that only runs the pilot when the fireplace is actually in use, rather than keeping a standing flame going around the clock. The IP system also means this unit is compatible with any of Empire's remote control accessories, so you can add a remote down the line without having to change the fireplace itself.

Vent-free operation does produce a small amount of moisture — approximately one ounce (30ml) of water per 1,000 BTU per hour — which is worth factoring into your room planning. This fireplace is rated for indoor use only.

The Vail 26 is designed for flexibility. It installs as a standalone unit in built-in or custom mantel applications, and it's compatible with Empire's cabinet and corner cabinet mantels in cherry, dark oak, nutmeg, oak, white, unfinished hardwood, and unfinished oak finishes (all sold separately). Optional accessories worth considering include the Ceramic Fiber Brick Liner in a banded finish (FPP26E), a variable-speed blower (FBB4, requires FBBX harness extension), pewter outer frame and bottom trim kits (VPF26HP and VPS26HP), and an Ember Bed Kit (EK1 — placed around, not on top of, the burner). At 66 pounds, installation is a two-person job, but it's a one-time effort for a fireplace that doesn't ask anything of a chimney or flue system ever again.

• 20,000 BTU natural gas output via Empire Contour Burner
• 26" W x 18.12" H viewing area with matte black metal interior
• Intermittent Pilot (IP) ignition — pilot only runs when fireplace is in use
• Vent-free installation — no chimney, flue, or venting products required
• Includes logs, Contour Burner, black frame, hood, louvers, and AC/DC adaptor with battery backup
• Compatible with Empire remote control accessories (sold separately)
• Rock wool insulation included
• Black unitized louvers and black exterior trim kit
• Fixed fire screen standard
• Fits rough framing of 30.25" W x 30.37" H x 13.25" D
• Compatible with optional variable-speed blower (FBB4 + FBBX) and ceramic fiber brick liner (FPP26E)
• Suits built-in and custom mantel applications; compatible mantels available in seven finishes (sold separately)
• Indoor use only; weighs 66 lbs