What is an Ethanol Fireplace? An Overview

If you’re somewhat of a traditionalist who relishes the crackle of an open fire or the scalding warmth of a gas burning, you’d be forgiven for asking the question, “what is an ethanol fireplace”?

That’s because ethanol fireplaces are a relatively modern invention. While technology continues to blaze ahead and the world of appliances has grown and evolved, as have fireplaces.

Now, sources of heat and ambience inside homes, hotels or restaurants don’t have to compromise air quality, leave a lingering smokey smell, or require arduous installations and cleanups.

Bioethanol fireplaces offer modern installation capabilities and benefits, making them versatile and environmentally-friendly alternatives to traditional fireplaces.

They are efficient heating solutions that do not require complicated installations, and their clean-burning fuel makes them an attractive option for consumers seeking flexible design choices.

That’s the beauty of ethanol fireplaces, and just some of their benefits. But let’s dive a little deeper into why customers like Adele are choosing them over traditional fireplaces.

“We recently purchased the “Ghost” and are thrilled with how simple it is to use. It is a great alternative to an open fire. Very elegant structure and it actually puts out more warmth than we anticipated.”
- Adele Hogan

 

What is a Bioethanol Fireplace?

The terms ‘ethanol fireplace’ and ‘bioethanol fireplace’ can be used interchangeably (as can ‘ethanol burner’, ‘biofuel fireplace’ and ‘eco fuel fireplace’). In short, there are many names for what is essentially an eco-friendly fire fuelled by a renewable, plant-based fuel.

Like traditional wood-burning and gas fireplaces, bioethanol fires give off the kind of heat that can cosy up living rooms, foyers and even outdoor entertaining spaces. But the similarities start and end there.

Bio ethanol fireplaces offer unparalleled versatility and aesthetic appeal, allowing for design freedom and easy installation without the need for a chimney or flue.

Firstly, Ethanol Fireplaces Are Built Differently.

They’re refreshingly clean and simple in composition. In almost every instance, there are three primary parts.

1. The Ethanol Burner: Ethanol burners are essential the stainless steel fireplace insert component featured in all models. The bioethanol burner houses the ethanol fuel and is where the flame is emitted.

2. The Surround: this is what ‘surrounds’ the burner, which can be a steel ‘firebox’ if the ethanol unit is built in; it may be a statement square or round base in an array of finishes in the case that it’s freestanding; or even a concrete or stone table, and toughened glass if it’s a designer ethanol fireplace.

3. Accessories: these are the details that achieve the elevated look of ethanol fireplaces, including rocks, glass fire screens or side boxes.

As you can likely already tell from the varying compositions of ethanol units, the true beauty of ethanol fireplaces is the luxury you have to design a fireplace that fits your home, hotel or restaurant’s interior design flawlessly. Which takes us to our next point.

Secondly, Ethanol Fireplaces Give you Total Design Freedom.

There are multiple types of ethanol fireplaces – wall-mounted, freestanding, suspended or inbuilt units.

Depending on the size or layout of your space, it may make more sense to have a freestanding unit that you can move in between rooms or outdoor settings. Outdoor ethanol fireplaces are specially designed to enhance outdoor living spaces by providing warmth and ambiance.

Bioethanol fires offer design flexibility and environmental benefits, allowing you to incorporate your fire into a piece of statement furniture such as a fire table, or build it into a wall between rooms, making it a shared decorative focal point – a luxury not afforded by traditional fireplaces.

Thirdly, Ethanol Fireplaces can go Just About Anywhere.

This is because, unlike traditional fireplaces, they are fuelled by an organic, flammable liquid made from fermented plant materials known as ‘biomass’. Ethanol is renewable energy source and releases low emissions (in contrast to a fuel like gasoline).

For this reason, ethanol fireplaces have no need for a chimney or venting (like and electric fireplace) – and are therefore ‘ventless’ – making them renowned for their ease of installation. Without being limited to an existing chimney or flue, or tied to the exorbitant cost of installing one, you’re free to place an ethanol fireplace almost anywhere. Better yet, the heat generated stays in the room instead of escaping up the chimney.

How Does an Ethanol Fireplace Work?

As we touched on earlier, the biggest distinguishing factor between ethanol fireplaces and their wood and gas counterparts is the fuel source. Not only does a clean burning bio ethanol fireplace fuel like e-NRG produce low odour, long burn times and vibrant flames, it has extensive environmental benefits, as summarised by this 2021 study from Vietnam National University and Clemson University:

“Ethanol produced from various biobased sources (bioethanol) has been gaining high attention lately due to its potential to cut down net emissions of carbon dioxide while reducing burgeoning world dependence on fossil fuels.”

In terms of how an ethanol fireplace works, e-NRG – Australia’s leading bioethanol fuel provider – explains that the bioethanol combusts inside its stainless steel burner, generating heat via convection, as well as steam and tiny amounts of carbon dioxide. This is then reabsorbed by plants to help them grow, making it a carbon-neutral fuel source.

How to Fill an Ethanol Fireplace with Bioethanol Fuel

If you’re wondering how to fill an ethanol fireplace’s fuel back up, you simply top up the fuel reserve. It is crucial to select the right type of bio ethanol fuel for optimal performance. Before doing so, you should always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure you’re doing it as safely as possible.

For example, EcoSmart Fire advises that decanting must be performed in a well-ventilated area to ensure that any spillage is easily contained and away from any ignition source. You must also ensure that you either use the jerry can provided with your ethanol burner or the fuel bottle itself if it comes with an adapter and spill proof safety sprout (or equivalent accessory).

How to Light an Ethanol Fireplace

Again, it’s very important that you always refer to the manufacturer’s instructions when lighting your ethanol fire. In the case of the EcoSmart Fire range, you can light your fireplace in these five steps:

1. Dip the lighting rod tip into the chamber opening “Burner zone” to wet the end.

2. Lift the lighting rod away from the Burner (do not drip fuel on the floor).

3. Ignite the lighter and make contact with the lighting rod as if lighting a candle.

4. Dip the ignited lighting rod back into the Burner zone to ignite the contained fuel.

5. Allow the residual flame on the lighting rod to burn out.

The rod will also help you safely control the flame size and heat output by helping you remove the efficiency ring, as well as flip or close a lid to extinguish the flame.

Manual vs. Automatic Fireplaces

The mechanism we have described above is what’s known as a manual ethanol fireplace.

Automatic ethanol fireplaces offer mobile or remote connectivity, allowing you to integrate them into your Smart Home System and control the flame image, flame height and thermostat via various adjustable heat settings. Unfortunately you then lose the beauty of lighting the fire yourself, an ambient flourish that’s so synonymous with at-home fireplace.

Simply put, we’ve found – through extensive testing in our Melbourne showroom – that manual burners not only offer a far simpler operation, they also provide a more consistent and dynamic flame that still ‘dances’ like that of a wood fire, without the smoke, odour and residue that comes with it.

What is an Ethanol Fire Pit?

Where an ethanol fireplace is generally designed for indoor use, ethanol fire pits utilise ethanol fuel as an ambient outdoor feature. Their design usually features a more open, exposed and intense flame that provides a warm and rugged focal point when it comes to entertaining outdoors.

Ethanol fire pits are often selected as an alternative to wood and gas fire pits as they provide greater placement flexibility and easier maintenance. Plus, they can be instantly switched on and off without smoke or smell.

If you’re looking for a cleaner, safer, sleeker and more flexible alternative to traditional fireplaces, ethanol fireplaces are well worth considering for your indoor and outdoor space.

See our top picks for best ethanol fireplaces for 2024.