The Pros And Cons of Ethanol Fireplaces

Ethanol fireplaces have quickly become a hot option for those looking to ignite more warmth, ambience, style and sustainability in their home, hotel or restaurant.

Fuelled by an organic, plant-based liquid known as bio ethanol, they’re an environmentally friendly alternative to wood and gas fires that allow you to prioritise the planet without compromising on style or quality.

(In the dark about the details of ethanol fireplaces? Learn more about what they are and how they work).

To help you decide whether these contemporary fireplaces alternatives are for you, we’ve identified the pros and cons.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Ethanol Fireplaces

A relatively modern innovation that has existed in Australia since the mid-2000s, bio ethanol fireplaces were largely invented to solve many of the drawbacks associated with traditional wood and gas fires.

So, let’s start with the benefits of ethanol fireplaces.

What are the Benefits of Ethanol Fireplaces?

Environmentally Friendly

Bioethanol is a renewable fuel source derived from plant by-products like sugarcane and corn. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) refers to it as a “low-carbon solution in the fight against climate change” due to its impressively minimal carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions compared to those produced by wood fires.

Clean-burning bioethanol fireplaces produce only heat, steam and extremely minimal CO2, making this sustainable home heating alternative safer for residential homes and the environment.

Ventless Design

Because ethanol fireplaces do not emit smoke, soot, ash or other harmful by-products, they don’t require a chimney, flue, or vent. A major benefit of a ventless fireplace is, therefore, the ability to install a cosy source of heat in places where traditional fireplaces simply aren’t possible or practical. 

Think apartments, suspended in open-plan living areas, in spaces without existing gas or electrical lines, or undercover alfresco areas that would otherwise trap smoke and ash in. 

Importantly, heat can’t escape through a chimney if you don’t have one, making the efficiency of ethanol fireplaces far superior.

Design Flexibility

If maintaining a modern interior design is a priority for you, bioethanol fires are the natural option.

This is because ethanol fires allow for more design flexibility thanks to their ventless design. They also don’t require a gas or electrical connection, which means – with an ethanol burner insert – it’s possible to create a talking point in the form of a very unique and bespoke fire feature, just as we have done in the photo below.

Pictured is a custom burner-only installation Chama Design completed in Loller St Brighton, VIC. Featuring an XL1200 Ethanol Burner recessed in a limestone plinth, surrounded with toughened glass panels and fire rated plaster. Something that wouldn’t be possible with any other fuel source.

Ease of Use

While lighting, cleaning and maintaining a traditional wood fire can be an arduous commitment, ethanol fireplaces are effortless in almost every way.

As with every heating unit you purchase, you should always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure safety, but for the sake of demonstrating ethanol fireplaces’ ease of use, take the EcoSmart Fire range for example.

You simply fill the burner with bioethanol fuel and ignite it with a lighting rod. Turning it on and off can be done in an instant, too.

You’ll typically have the ability to also adjust flame height, and even control the flame image and heat output via remote control. Forget having to chop wood, sweep ash, or pay someone upwards of $100 to clean the chimney.

Real Flames

Unlike manmade pressurised gas flames, a bioethanol fire produces a natural ‘dancing’ flame, just like a woodfire. This flame provides a genuine fireplace experience, with all the warmth and ambience beloved about open fires, and without the sparks or smoke that aren’t. This makes them a cleaner and safer alternative. In contrast, an electric fireplace can only manufacture the appearance of a flame, which is the equivalent of watching a video of an open fire on YouTube with minimal heat produced.

Cost-Effective Installation 

Bioethanol fireplaces are immediately a more cost-effective option due to their ventless design. Without chimney construction or gas line connections, you can save thousands in upfront costs from the quick and easy installation of an ethanol fireplace that also won’t require ongoing servicing, like wood and gas fires do. This applies to both residential and commercial installations.

What are the Disadvantages of Ethanol Fireplaces?

While bioethanol fireplaces are largely a contemporary solution to the many drawbacks of traditional fireplaces, there are some compromises that must be made in exchange for greater sustainability and flexibility.

Lower Heat Output

Ethanol fireplaces are widely considered a ‘supplementary’ heat source due to the fact that they don’t tend to be as powerful as traditional wood-burning or gas fireplaces. If you think of the intense heat of an open fire, bioethanol fires instead bring a lovely cosiness.

Bioethanol Fuel Cost

While more convenient to source and store, bioethanol fuel can be more expensive than traditional fuels like fire wood, gas or electric fireplaces. It comes down to what you value more, a mess-free, sustainable fuel, or a more cost-effective alternative.

Safety Considerations

As with all heaters and fireplaces, bioethanol fireplaces require you to exercise caution and adhere to requirements – all to ensure your safety.

The ACCC has mandated several standards that manufacturers must follow – around fittings, weight, stability tests, fuel containers and warning messages – to help achieve this. Stockists in turn must also ensure you have the correct fuel storage, room size, and safe clearance zones before selling you an ethanol fireplace.

While these safety considerations must absolutely be acknowledged, they should also be weighed against those of traditional fireplaces – just as our customer Tim has.

“Got the Pod 30 to move from a wood fuel fire pit to ethanol. Although not cheap It is a very well-finished quality product, looks fantastic and works well. It does not give off the same level of heat as burning hardwood in a fire pit out in the open but there is zero smoke and embers, so really a lot safer. Glad we made the switch, we love it.”

- Tim Brading

Potential Odour

As is often the case with cheap alternatives, some bioethanol fuels can produce a slight odour upon being lit or distinguished. Using high-quality fuel like e-NRG can minimise this.

Limited Burn Time

If using a quality bioethanol fuel like e-NRG, as mentioned above, a general rule of thumb is that one litre of the fuel will burn for 1-2 hours. The total burn time is therefore guided by the burner’s fuel capacity – the larger the fuel reservoir, the longer the burn.

You can, however, refill the burner as you go to extend the duration. Just make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to do it safely.

As you can see, the advantages of bio fuel fireplaces are ample, however there are some notable drawbacks worth factoring into your decision, particularly if you’re looking for a primary heat source that packs some serious punch.

Ultimately, we have found that when talking with customers, they love that ethanol fireplaces are smoke-free, virtually odourless, can be turned on and off instantly, and have a real flame. They’re the perfect choice for the modern couple who loves winding down in their living area at the end of the week, glass of wine in hand.

Interested in knowing our top picks? Discover which are the best ethanol fireplaces in 2024.