Bioethanol Fireplaces

How bioethanol fireplaces work

A bioethanol burner holds liquid fuel that you light directly - no piped gas, no electrics, no combustion by-products beyond water vapour and carbon dioxide. That is what makes it viable indoors with no chimney: EcoSmart Fire's indoor-rated models are certified to EN 16647, the UK and EU safety standard for indoor bioethanol fireplaces. Every indoor-rated model states a minimum room size on its product page, because the burn does consume oxygen from the room.

Freestanding, or a built-in insert

EcoSmart's Designer range (Mini T, Ghost, Igloo, Orbit, Be, T-Lite, Pop, Pillar) and Planika's Arcticon and Bubble sit freestanding against a wall or as a room's focal point. EcoSmart's Flex and Fireplace Inserts ranges install into a stud wall or masonry opening instead, disappearing into the surround once fitted - the Flex range spans a wide run of widths so a like-for-like swap into an existing gas or wood-burning opening is usually possible.

Running one day to day

Refuelling has to happen cold, before lighting, which is worth planning around for a long evening. Fuel is an ongoing cost you would not have with mains gas, and the flame will not heat a room the way a gas fire or stove does - it is genuine radiant warmth, but on a domestic scale. In exchange you get a real flame with none of the installation a flue or gas connection demands.

Also worth seeing

For the water vapour alternative with no combustion at all, see water vapour fireplaces. For every fixed indoor unit regardless of fuel, see indoor fireplaces. For built-in installations specifically, see fireplace inserts. For bioethanol in a garden fire pit or table instead, see bioethanol fire pits.