Ethanol fireplaces are fireplaces that burn using bio ethanol fuel, a renewable fuel source that’s only by-products are heat, carbon dioxide, and steam, making it an eco-friendly alternative to traditional fireplaces. Bio ethanol, or gel fireplaces as they’re sometimes referred to as, give off of the warmth of an authentic flame while eliminating the emissions released into the air by traditional gas or wood burning fireplaces.
Bio ethanol only gives off carbon dioxide, similar to burning candles indoors, so they don’t require a flu or chimney in most cases. As with any other source of flame like candles or wood fires, it is not recommended to burn ethanol flames indoors in non-ventilated rooms for extended periods of time because of the carbon dioxide. Aside from this, bio ethanol fireplaces are completely safe to be used indoors or outdoors.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for an ethanol fireplace.
Benefits of ethanol fireplaces
Ethanol fireplaces offer many benefits over traditional fireplaces. For one, they don’t leave behind a trail of ashes so cleanup is easy and you don’t have to worry about smoke fumes filling up your home as they do not give off any odor. This also means they’re good for the environment. Put simply, bio ethanol fireplaces are the best choice for a clean burning, authentic flame that allows you to enjoy the best of the modern world!
Heating Output
23.5″ Ignis Tectum Mini Freestanding Ventless Ethanol Fireplace
Similar to a wood burning or gas fireplace, ethanol fireplaces are great for heating portions of the home but they are not intended to provide heat for the entire home. A good way to think of them are zone heaters, capable of comfortably warming up spaces up to 1,000 square feet depending on the model you select.
How much ethanol should you expect to use
1 can of Venturi bio ethanol fuel will last approximately 1 hour.
You can roughly expect to get 4-5 hours of burn time out of 2 liters of gel fuel. To put that in perspective, that’s roughly 1 hour of burn time for every 13 oz can of the Venturi gel fuel pictured above. Gel fuel consumption and burn time will vary by make, model, and the size of the flame.
Are they safe
Yes, bio ethanol fireplaces are completely safe for indoor and outdoor use. Our best tip here is to make sure that just like anything else, you’re purchasing a quality product from a trusted manufacturer. For more information, we’ve written this extensive article with opinions from multiple experts.
Ethanol vs electric fireplaces
Ethanol fireplaces and electric fireplaces offer their own pros and cons. The main difference is that ethanol fireplaces produce a real flame. Both are eco-friendly, the electric fireplace being a bit more cost-efficient and both provide a clean environment free of any emissions or pollution inside the home. When deciding between the two, it comes down to whether you want a real flame or a more cost efficient heat source that does not require any cleanup or refills at all. With an ethanol fireplace, you’ll have to replace with new gel fuel from time to time after the fuel runs out.
Where to Buy
10″ Ignis Mika Tabletop Ventless Ethanol Fireplace
PortableFireplace.com is an authorized retailer of the biggest brand names in the business. Browse through our collection of ethanol fireplaces online and let us know if you have any questions about placing an order. Our friendly sales representatives are here to help you feel confident that you’re getting just the right fireplace for your home.
Additional Buyers Tips