The Essential Guide to Ethanol Fireplaces

What are ethanol fireplaces?

Put simply, an ethanol – also known as bioethanol – fireplace is a ventless fireplace that uses alcohol-based ethanol (known as methylated spirits in some parts of the world) as its fuel source. It’s a renewable energy source and produces a clean, smokeless form of heat, leaving a zero carbon footprint. The result is real flame ambience without the emissions, smoke, soot or odour associated with wood-burning fires. Better for us all and the environment!

Ethanol fireplaces don’t require any pipes, flues, chimneys or utility connections, which means they’re easy to install – and they can be installed in spaces where traditional fireplaces can’t be (such as condos and apartments). The design options are virtually limitless, and they can be freestanding, built-in, and used for indoor or outdoor use.

One ethanol fireplace brand that has helped pave the way is EcoSmart Fire, which since 2004 has established the benchmark for vent-free ethanol fireplaces.

“When used as fuel for heating, clean-burning ethanol is very environmentally friendly. Not only that, but it also provides incredible versatility for installation across a myriad of indoor and outdoor spaces,” explains Stephane Thomas, Director of MAD Design Group and creator of the EcoSmart Fire.

There are various types of ethanol fireplaces available: freestanding, portable fireplaces; zero-clearance fireplace inserts, which enable customised, built-in fireplaces to be installed into non-combustible surrounds; and ethanol burners, which can be installed on non-combustible surfaces (ensuring it doesn’t cause any safety issues).

There are even special fireplace grates that enable you to transform a traditional wood fireplace into a contemporary, eco-friendly bioethanol fireplace.

Types of Ethanol Fireplaces

From built-in ethanol fireplaces to freestanding, portable fires, the beauty of this type of fireplace is the flexibility or, as Stephane Thomas describes it, “design and installation freedom”.

“Over the years, we’ve collaborated with thousands of designers, architects, builders, developers, and homeowners across residential, hospitality, and commercial sectors to create tailored fireplace solutions that suit a wide range of architectural environments,” says Thomas. “These experiences have helped us refine our product range and launch new models that respond to evolving needs, like our Flex Series, which epitomises design freedom and versatility.”

Whether you’re seeking an indoor fireplace or an outdoor fire feature, EcoSmart offers a diverse collection to meet your aesthetic and functional needs:

• ⁠Zero-clearance fireplace inserts – Ideal for recessed, wall-mounted, or partially recessed installations. Popular applications include cabinetry integration, beneath flat-screen TVs, within kitchen islands, as room dividers or architectural connectors.
• Built-in ethanol fireplaces – Seamlessly integrated into walls or joinery for a sleek, modern finish.

• Fire Pits – Classic ambience with modern convenience, perfect for outdoor entertaining.

• Freestanding, portable fireplaces – A flexible solution for renters, seasonal use, or multi-purpose zones.
• Fire Tables – Combining fire and function, these dual-purpose designs are both stylish and practical.
• Fire Pit Kits – Customisable components for creating a tailor-made fireplace setting.

• Ethanol Burners – Available in compact, round, square, or elongated formats, for integration into bespoke designs. There are even ethanol fire solutions that enable you to transform your existing wood-burning fireplace (whether used or unused) into a contemporary, eco-friendly open fire. EcoSmart’s ventless, self-contained Grate Series can simply be slipped into pre-existing fireplaces and lit within minutes. This fireplace conversion in a Federation home in Australia is the perfect example of how new life can be easily breathed into an existing wood-burning fireplace.

EcoSmart even offers solutions for converting existing wood-burning fireplaces into eco-friendly alternatives. The Grate Series is a self-contained, ventless ethanol burner that can be placed into a traditional fireplace opening, transforming it into a contemporary centrepiece in minutes. A standout example is the transformation of a Federation-era fireplace in Australia, where the Grate Series brought new life to a previously unused hearth.

Ethanol is pure alcohol. It’s also known as bioethanol, ethyl alcohol and ‘bio fuel’, and is a ‘green fuel’ made from renewable sources. It’s a grain alcohol made by fermenting the sugar and starch components of plant by-products like sugarcane, corn and grain. One of the key benefits of using ethanol as a fuel is that it burns very cleanly, producing only heat, water vapour and carbon dioxide – no harmful gases, soot or sparks. It means that ethanol fireplaces can be installed without a vent or flue – and they can be installed in many locations where it would be impossible to have a wood-burning fireplace.

“We use e-NRG bioethanol fuel, which is the most efficient liquid ethanol on the market and provides the longest burning and most vibrant flame,” says Thomas. “It is specially formulated and is the preferred fuel source for EcoSmart vent-free fireplaces because of its high quality, which ensures the brightest, most beautiful flame every time it is used. It also offers the safest and most efficient fuelling process on the market.”

e-NRG ethanol fuel is:

• Lowest odour (it only produces heat, steam and carbon dioxide)
• Eco-friendly, made from plant by-products
• Clean burning: no mess, no fuss (no soot, smoke or ash!)
• Longest burning time (it’s been tested against a myriad of formulas to ensure it burns for the longest time compared with other ethanol brands)
• Specially formulated to produce a vibrant orange flame
• Safest available: e-NRG bottles are fitted with a flame arrester and it’s supported by an operational procedure to ensure it’s used in the safest way
• Fast refilling: e-NRG bottles pour 8 times faster than other ethanol brands

Choosing an ethanol burning fireplace over a traditional fireplace has a huge number of advantages – not least being design flexibility, eco-friendly credentials and ease of use.

“The main reason our clients choose EcoSmart bioethanol fireplaces is because they’re clean-burning and can be installed in places traditional fireplaces cannot be,” says Thomas. “Most other types of fireplaces require a connection to gas or electricity, which can limit options for designers. EcoSmart fireplaces require no connections or venting, which further enhances the design options.”

Some of the many benefits include:

• Eco-friendly: Ethanol is a renewable fuel source and does not produce any toxic gas or waste – so you can enjoy a clean-burning, smoke free flame inside your home, hospitality or other commercial space.
• No smoke, no chimney: Bioethanol fireplaces don’t create smoke, so they don’t need a chimney, fent or flue. Which is why you can install one just about anywhere in your home or commercial premises.
• Versatility: Being vent-free means ethanol fireplaces give you design freedom to install them in myriad indoor and outdoor settings.
• Beautiful, vibrant flame: If you like a wood-burning fireplace’s flame, then you’ll love a beautiful, golden, flickering ethanol flame – plus you won’t have to clean up any ashes or soot once the fire is extinguished! Ambience without the smoke and mess!
• Easy installation: Unlike a traditional wood-burning fireplace, ethanol fireplaces are quick and easy to install. Because they don’t require venting, the installation costs are very low.
• Portability: There are many freestanding, portable, ventless ethanol fireplaces available – such as EcoSmart’s range of contemporary freestanding fires (including their range of Fire Pits, Fire Tables and Designer Fires), which can be easily put into place and relocated as you desire.
• Low maintenance: An ethanol fireplace doesn’t require regular maintenance and they don’t lose colour or corrode after years of use. Being a clean-burning flame means there’s no ash, soot or other residue to clean – simply fill your burner and enjoy the vibrant flame for hours.

Are ethanol fireplaces safe?

Ethanol fireplaces don’t emit the same by-products that come from burning wood, making them safer than wood-burning stoves. The 3 by-products they produce are water, heat and carbon dioxide, which have no trace amount of emissions. It makes your home – or commercial space – safer than if you were burning wood.

However, of course, it’s vital to be safety conscious, follow the instructions and use common sense when operating an ethanol fire, because it involves burning a fuel and produces a physical flame. “Put simply, mixing fire, dangerous goods and human beings is a serious business,” says Thomas. “It’s something we factor in from concept to creation and then for the operational systems for end-users.”

One of the most important tips is to ensure you purchase ethanol from a reputable, quality manufacturer/supplier.

EcoSmart Fire uses e-NRG bioethanol fuel, which has been specially formulated and uses only the highest quality ingredients. The e-NRG bottles are also fitted with a flame arrester, making it the safest ethanol fuel available.