I used to run one when I lived in a townhouse with no fireplace so I couldn't have a wood stove, and there was no natural gas hookup available. I found it worked surprisingly well, there was minimal odor as long as I kept the wick clean, it was easy to start, and it was fairly easy to refuel. I also put a CO detector in the room where I used it - just in case - and it never showed a reading other than 0.