RU-Yes! I think it would be perfect and realistic sounding. We don't need heat, although I would like to think if we sat near it we would feel at least a little heat.
TC-Yeah, those canisters are awfully expensive, I agree. And I don't want to have to "budget"" the fire to only times when we can devote our attention to it..I want it just *on* in the background, throughout the evening. So I need to think about this.
Colleen-yeah, I have never been that impressed with the electric models.
I'll will keep you all updated...thanks for all the responses!