Ethanol Fireplaces

Ventless bioethanol fireplaces deliver room-vented performance without any of the infrastructure traditional installations require. There is no chimney, flue, or gas line, and combustion is clean, producing no smoke, soot, or ash. The gains are real: heat stays in the room rather than escaping through a flue, and the fireplace can be positioned almost anywhere, from apartments to open-plan living spaces. Managing the trade-offs is equally clear. Bioethanol combustion consumes oxygen, so the room must meet manufacturer-specified minimum volumes, and ventilation needs to remain adequate during use. These fireplaces are designed for supplemental heating, not as a primary heat source, and they require ongoing refuelling since no fuel line connects them. For spaces where a traditional fireplace is impractical, the room-vented ventless format offers genuine design freedom. The cost of that freedom is active fuel management and attention to room conditions during operation, both of which are clearly outlined in EcoSmart Fire's product documentation and third-party certified safety standards.

Yes. EcoSmart Fire offers dedicated outdoor fireplace categories: fire tables, fire pits, and insert-style units, all rated for outdoor use. These are engineered with weather-resistant materials: mild steel with zinc-sealed high-temperature powder coating, 304-grade stainless steel burners, and toughened glass screens. Fire tables feature handcrafted Fluid Concrete surrounds or Grade A teak; fire pits use weather-resistant Fluid Concrete construction.

To install safely outdoors, follow these clearance guidelines:

• 2,000 mm [78.7 in] clearance overhead
• 600 mm [23.6 in] clearance from fixed objects (walls, fences, railings)
• Level, non-combustible surface (stone, concrete, pavers; not grass or artificial turf)
• 12.5 mm [0.5 in] air gap beneath the unit, typically via articulating feet

Because bioethanol produces no sparks, embers, or ash, the units are safe for timber decks when proper clearances are maintained. They're suitable for year-round entertaining. Simply keep burners clean every 50 litres of fuel, and use an All-Season Cover (600D Oxford fabric with UV coating) for storage.

Ethanol fireplaces work by burning bioethanol fuel, a clean-burning renewable alcohol made from fermenting plant sugars, in a self-contained, stainless-steel burner. When you ignite the fuel with a lighting rod, it combusts at the fuel surface, producing heat, water vapour, and minimal CO₂; there's no smoke, soot, or ash.

The real innovation is in flame stabilisation. EcoSmart Fire burners use physical regulators, including steel wool in compact models like the AB3 and baffle inserts in larger burners, to control fuel evaporation and distribute the flame evenly. This not only stabilises the flame but optimises fuel efficiency, extending burn times to 7–13 hours depending on burner size and capacity.

Shutting down is equally straightforward. A slider or hinge mechanism closes off oxygen, extinguishing the flame in seconds without any residual smoke or smell. Because combustion requires no flue, chimney, or gas line, ethanol fireplaces are truly ventless; the burner stays sealed until you're ready to refuel.

This combination of clean combustion chemistry and elegant mechanical control is what makes ethanol fireplaces such a flexible heating and ambience solution.

Yes, you can turn off your EcoSmart Fire bioethanol fireplace at any time, even if fuel remains in the burner. Simply close the slider or lift the lid to shut off the flame immediately. The shut-off mechanism is designed for your control, particularly in situations where you need to leave the house, since it's not safe to leave a burning fireplace unattended.

For best results when relighting, wait at least 60 minutes after extinguishing to allow vapours to dissipate. This prevents a strong initial ignition when you restart the flame. If you need to refuel after extinguishing, the burner must be cool to room temperature before adding fresh bioethanol. These waiting periods are simply the correct way to use the fireplace responsibly, ensuring a smooth relight and safe operation.

Yes, ethanol fireplaces produce genuine, clean-burning heat that meaningfully warms spaces. EcoSmart Fire bioethanol fireplaces deliver quantified heat output across burner sizes: compact burners like the AB3 produce 2 kilowatts (5,800 BTU/h) and warm spaces around 20 m² [215 ft²], whilst larger models like the XL900 output 4 kilowatts (15,000 BTU/h) and effectively heat areas up to 60 m² [646 ft²].

The real advantage lies in the ventless design: heat efficiency exceeds 90 per cent because all thermal energy stays in your room, unlike traditional vented fireplaces that lose approximately 30 per cent through the chimney.

To choose the right burner, match it to your room size. Smaller burners suit compact rooms around 20 m², mid-range burners heat spaces of 40–60 m² comfortably, and larger configurations work for open-plan interiors. Burner selection also affects burn duration, with most models running 7–14 hours depending on flame height; consider both your heating needs and intended use.

Yes, room-vented bioethanol fireplaces do produce water vapour through combustion, and condensation can occur in spaces that are undersized or poorly ventilated. EcoSmart Fire's design addresses this directly: minimum room volume requirements are scaled to each burner's heat output, ensuring moisture disperses safely across the air volume rather than accumulating on surfaces.

Smaller burners (around 4 kW) need at least 110 m³ [3,885 ft³], whilst larger burners (13 kW) require 330 m³ [11,654 ft³] or more. This scaling ensures combustion byproducts, including water vapour and carbon dioxide, are diluted proportionally to the burner's output.

In properly sized rooms with normal air circulation (doors, windows, existing HVAC), condensation is not an issue. Problems arise only when a fireplace is oversized for its space or installed in a room with poor air exchange; matching the burner size to the room prevents either outcome.

Separately, ambient moisture from external sources, such as humid storage environments or spilled water, can contaminate the burner reservoir and prevent ignition. This is a maintenance concern distinct from normal combustion, resolved by draining, drying, and refuelling with fresh bioethanol.

No, EcoSmart Fire ethanol fireplaces don't require professional installation for most homeowners and builders. Freestanding units need no tools beyond included accessories; built-in models require only basic hand tools (power drill, screwdriver, level) and a non-combustible framing structure that's self-supporting.

Most installations complete in under an hour to a day, depending on whether you're placing a freestanding unit on a level surface or custom-framing a built-in model. Zero-clearance construction eliminates the structural complexity of traditional fireplaces, with no chimney engineering, no gas line coordination, and no specialist trades required.

If you're converting from an existing gas fireplace, arrange professional gas disconnection before installation begins. This is a straightforward, one-time safety step completed by a qualified technician.

For complex custom cabinetry, load-bearing integrations, or commercial projects, engaging a builder familiar with fireproof materials ensures optimal results and code compliance across jurisdictions. The EcoSmart Fire installation guides and instructional videos included with every purchase walk you through the process step by step.

No, bioethanol fireplaces do not need electricity to operate. EcoSmart Fire bioethanol fireplaces run purely on liquid bioethanol fuel, with no power cord, no gas line, no flue, and no utility connections required.

That independence opens placement options a traditional fireplace cannot match. Without hardwired services, the fireplace can sit centred on a freestanding wall, inside bespoke joinery, on an apartment balcony, or anywhere a traditional fireplace simply can't go. Ignition is manual using the supplied Lighting Rod or Fire Lighter, a refillable butane wand, and the flame is adjusted by hand at the burner.

No, never refuel your EcoSmart Fire bioethanol fireplace while it's running or hot. Bioethanol requires careful handling: even if the flame isn't visible, a common occurrence in daylight, the burner remains dangerously hot and volatile vapours persist long after the flame appears extinguished. Contact with any ignition source at this stage can cause serious injury.

Always allow the fireplace to cool completely for at least 60 minutes after shutting off before refuelling. The cool-down is part of the rhythm of responsible ownership. When refuelling, use only the approved Safety Nozzle adapter or Jerry Can with Safety Spout, never pour directly from a bottle over or near the burner. If you spill fuel, remove all ignition sources, open windows and doors for ventilation, wipe the area dry, and wait until it's completely dry before relighting.

UL 1370-certified EcoSmart Fire bioethanol fireplaces are designed for safe indoor use when operated correctly. Pairing the correct cool-down protocol with e-NRG bioethanol fuel ensures consistent performance and safety.

Yes, you can convert your existing fireplace to bioethanol using purpose-built conversion products from EcoSmart Fire. The conversion is straightforward and requires no structural modifications to your fireplace opening.

• Fireplace Grate models sit directly on a level surface inside your existing fireplace and come in different sizes to fit various opening dimensions. These use durable stainless-steel burners and feature adjustable flame control.
• Heritage Grate models feature traditional cast-iron aesthetics with ceramic fire-rated logs, ideal if you want a wood-fired appearance without the soot and ash.
• VB2 Burner is a compact stainless-steel burner specifically designed for Edwardian, Federation, Art Deco, and Art Nouveau style fireplaces, where it instals with adjustable feet and no modifications needed.

The conversion itself takes minutes: position the grate or burner into your fireplace, ensure it's level, and fill with bioethanol fuel. The essential step is ensuring any existing gas connections are professionally disconnected and made safe first. This is a critical safety requirement.

EcoSmart Fire has completed over 150,000 installations globally since launching in 2004, demonstrating the reliability of these conversion systems. Because bioethanol fireplaces are ventless and need no chimney or gas supply, conversion becomes genuinely simple compared to traditional alternatives.