Ethanol Fireplaces

Ventless bioethanol fireplaces from EcoSmart Fire are designed as supplemental, not primary, heat sources, delivering 2–4 kW for zone-specific warmth.

An XL900 burner generates 4 kW and heats approximately 60 m² [646 ft²] effectively. EcoSmart Fire's closed-combustion design retains 100% of generated heat within the room, unlike vented gas systems that lose up to 30% through flues, making every kilowatt of output directly useful.

Because combustion draws on room oxygen, adequate room ventilation is required during operation; EcoSmart Fire specifies minimum room volumes for each fireplace to maintain indoor air quality. This design is intentionally optimised for room-scale supplemental heating rather than whole-home continuous output. For whole-home heating, a dedicated primary system remains essential. For creating focal-point warmth in a living room, study, or outdoor entertaining space, EcoSmart Fire fireplaces deliver meaningful, design-forward heat with a fuel consumption rate as low as 0.31 L/h for smaller burners.

As a room-vented design, ventless bioethanol fireplaces are regulated under product safety standards (UL 1370, EN 16647, ACCC) rather than traditional building codes that govern gas or wood-burning installations. EcoSmart Fire ventless fireplaces meet these safety standards and require no chimney, gas lines, or electrical hookups, which eliminates many code compliance complexities. Because bioethanol combustion produces no smoke or harmful emissions, ventless fireplaces bypass venting and structural requirements that apply to conventional fireplaces.

Regulations do vary by jurisdiction, so we recommend consulting your local building authority during the design phase to confirm any region-specific requirements for your project. Key installation specifications, such as 600 mm [23.6 in] clearance from combustibles and adequate room volume (typically 40–110 m³ for most residential models), are designed to ensure safe operation and are integrated into all EcoSmart Fire product documentation.

The ventless design simplifies the approval process because it eliminates the need for multiple trades (gas fitting, electrical, ventilation) and their associated code pathways. This makes ventless fireplaces particularly practical for retrofits, multi-residential applications, and properties where traditional fireplaces aren't viable.

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.

No, bioethanol fireplaces do not produce carbon monoxide when operating correctly. EcoSmart Fire's bioethanol burners produce only heat, steam, and a small amount of carbon dioxide during combustion. This clean-burning characteristic eliminates the need for flues or chimneys, as there are no harmful emissions requiring extraction. However, proper ventilation remains essential for optimal air quality 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.

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 best as supplemental heat sources paired with existing climate control, rather than as primary heating for your home. EcoSmart Fire bioethanol burners deliver genuine warmth. The XL900, for example, produces 4 kW (15,000 BTU/h) of thermal output, and because the fireplace is ventless with closed combustion, every BTU stays in the room rather than escaping through a flue.

This makes them ideal for extending your entertaining season, reducing heating demand in a gathering space, or replacing a traditional fireplace entirely. You'll get real warmth and flame without installing gas lines, venting, or structural modifications. Pair it with your existing heating system for full-home comfort, and use the fireplace to create warm focal points in spaces you want to enjoy more, such as a sitting room or outdoor entertaining area.

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.

e-NRG bioethanol is produced from renewable plant sugars, primarily corn and sugarcane grown in dedicated energy crops, through multi-stage fermentation and distillation. The fermentation process converts plant sugars into ethanol, which is then distilled to achieve premium purity levels of 96–97% ethanol by volume. This purity is essential: it exceeds the azeotrope limit of 95.6%, enabling complete combustion, a stable flame, and extended burn duration. A small amount of water and denaturants (methanol or Bitrex) is retained for safety and regulatory compliance.

e-NRG's distillation process ensures superior thermal efficiency of 90–95%, compared to 75–85% for lower-grade alternatives. Each production batch is tested for purity, moisture content, and specific gravity with full traceability at every stage, guaranteeing consistency and quality.

Because bioethanol comes from renewable crops, the fuel completes a closed-loop carbon cycle: CO₂ released during combustion is reabsorbed by growing crops, creating a carbon-neutral energy source. This renewable, plant-based origin is what makes e-NRG bioethanol a genuinely sustainable choice for premium bioethanol fireplaces.

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.