What's the consensus on electric fireplaces in a mountain cabin?

[Collin Hays]

I'm old school and like a real wood-burning fire.  But I am looking at doing a renovation and it could cost as much as $10K more to put in a fireplace.  There's some really fancy electric ones now that even crackle and pop like a real fire.  Is this an acceptable substitute, or are electric fireplaces considered hopelessly faux and cheesy?

[Chris Watson]

Quote from @Collin Hays:

I'm old school and like a real wood-burning fire.  But I am looking at doing a renovation and it could cost as much as $10K more to put in a fireplace.  There's some really fancy electric ones now that even crackle and pop like a real fire.  Is this an acceptable substitute, or are electric fireplaces considered hopelessly faux and cheesy?

 We have both electric and gas in Sevier County. I personally do not want firewood in a rental as I grew up in backwoods Mississippi and know what my crazy friends would do with fire. Men acting like boys = dumb crazy things.

As for the propane we constantly deal with guests blowing out the pilot light because they didn't know it needed to stay lit.  Also some try to roast marshmallows over them. The pro is additional heat source in the once every two year snowed in with electricity out situation.  As for electric fireplaces we really haven't had complaints, but we do have outdoor propane firepits at these locations.  

If you are already vented and can do a sealed propane fireplace (glass doesn't open) I recommend it.  If not, put in electric and have less maintenance calls and lower propane bill.