I didn’t expect it to be plastic, but it’s actually better—it’s lightweight and only emits heat only from the front bottom…the rest is cool to the touch. I do recommend placing it on a small table to elevate the heating element. If you do, it’s able to heat an entire room with ease!! 
I also appreciate that you can put the flame setting on without the heat, so you can have that ambience without a temperature change, if you don’t need it. Great product!!