We've only been able to have one fire in it because it was installed so late last year, but it was amazing. You need dry wood to get it started, but once it reaches its full temperature, anything you throw in there burns regardless. They said I could even burn pine in there if it was fully seasoned, which I probably won't despite their assurances.

But the catalytic combustor is like an afterburner for fireplaces, and bumps the temperature to about 1100 degrees with minimal smoke visible from the outside. We can easily heat our entire house with it. Cleaning the fireplace is a little more involved with the catalytic in it, but it's worth it in my opinion.