This article revolves around the author’s alcohol lamp fireplace named Dave, which the author regards as a "family member." Americans are said to love three things most—apple pie, the Super Bowl, and chatting around a fireplace—and while the author had checked off the first two, installing a traditional fireplace in their apartment was impossible due to the landlord. Thus, Dave came into their life.

On Dave’s first day at home, the flames shot up rapidly at first but calmed down and danced gracefully three minutes later. Dave significantly transformed the author’s social life: previously, the author could only invite friends over for "Netflix and chill," but now they could invite others to see the fireplace, making friends think the author had become more tasteful (in fact, it was just an impulsive online purchase). Dave also excels at creating ambiance, elevating regular date nights to romantic fine-dining scenes, though there was an incident where too much fuel made flames almost reheat the author’s spaghetti.

The author lists rules for using Dave: no refueling when it’s lit, keeping a safe distance, and using specialized fuel (advising against experimenting with homemade moonshine). Dave is highly versatile: it warms the living room in winter, sets a camping vibe on the balcony in summer, and even served as extra lighting on Thanksgiving (though it charred a turkey wing that was too close).

Now the author has become an ambassador for alcohol lamp fireplaces, recommending "getting a Dave" to everyone. The elderly neighbor once mistook Dave for the author’s new boyfriend, but later bought one and named it Doris. In the digital age, Dave’s real flickering flame is therapeutic—it communicates with warmth and light, never fights for the remote, nor complains about the author eating too much pizza. Finally, the author suggests not naming the fireplace like they did, as cleaning Dave now feels as weird as giving a pet a bath.

This article recounts the author’s experience with an alcohol lamp fireplace that transformed their family life in Montana, where long, harsh winters once brought a sense of gloom. The author first encountered the fireplace in a home goods store in Denver, and it felt more like a long-awaited part of their life than a mere purchase.

The first time they lit the fireplace, the family—with the author’s wife preparing hot cocoa and their children sitting cross-legged on the carpet—enjoyed a warm, camp-like atmosphere indoors, as their 10-year-old Lily noted. The fireplace was easy to install (no chimney or ventilation ducts needed) and used eco-friendly, apartment-compliant bioethanol fuel bought from Home Depot. Safety was a priority: the author taught their children rules like keeping away from the burning fireplace and having a fire extinguisher nearby, turning these habits into natural family rituals.

This fireplace significantly changed their lifestyle: it made winter weekend movie nights special, chased away evening chill at summer patio gatherings, served as a center for Thanksgiving gratitude, and helped the author stay calm while working from home. It also became a focal point for the author’s wife and her girlfriends to chat. Finally, the author offered tips for those considering buying one—choosing the right size, reputable brands (e.g., jhy-design, Dimplex), using specialized fuel, and placing it where it can be truly enjoyed—and reflected that in an era of screens and virtual connections, the fireplace provided tangible warmth and the magic of bringing people together, embodying the true "warmth of home" they had long sought.