Ethanol Fireplaces

Bioethanol fireplaces are purpose-engineered as decorative appliances, delivering real, adjustable flame ambience without a chimney, gas line, or installation. They are not designed for cooking.

Their burners produce variable, dancing flames optimised for atmosphere, not the consistent, controlled heat that food preparation requires. The burner containers are designed to display flame elegantly, not for direct food contact. There are no temperature controls, cooking grates, or heat-resistant surfaces suited to cookware placement.

EcoSmart Fire bioethanol fireplaces are UL-listed as ventless decorative appliances, which is what they do best: transforming indoor and outdoor gathering spaces with real, clean flame that is immediate, zero-installation, and endlessly adaptable to any setting.

Bioethanol fireplace emissions are limited to heat, water vapour, and a small amount of carbon dioxide, with no carbon monoxide, smoke, soot, or ash produced during combustion. The CO2 released is roughly equivalent to two burning candles, which means correctly sized rooms maintain clean indoor air without a flue or chimney.

Clean combustion does depend on fuel purity. High-grade e-NRG bioethanol burns as a complete reaction, producing a steady orange flame from start to finish without the residues that lower-purity fuels leave behind. That's why EcoSmart Fire bioethanol fireplaces won't stain ceilings, dull nearby finishes, or leave ash to clean up between uses.

What the by-products look like in practice:

• Water vapour: a slight, imperceptible rise in humidity, not visible condensation in a correctly sized room
• Carbon dioxide: trace amounts, comparable to candlelight at the same output
• No particulates: no smoke, no soot, no ash, no odour

Ventilation is about keeping fresh oxygen available for combustion, not venting harmful gases. Each burner has a minimum room size, from the VB2 at 45 m3 [1,589 ft3] up to the AB8 at 116 m3 [4,097 ft3], so adequate air supply is a matter of considered installation

Like all fireplace solutions, bioethanol fireplaces can be safe with proper precautions around children and pets. EcoSmart Fire recommends installing certified fire screens, maintaining safe distances from hot surfaces, and never leaving the fire unattended. Children should always be supervised, and pets kept away from the unit during operation due to high surface temperatures.

Your EcoSmart Fire ethanol fireplace will burn between 8 and 13 hours on a full burner, with the exact duration determined by your flame setting. The range gives you control over the experience.

A lower flame setting extends burn time and creates a subtle, intimate ambience perfect for a long evening. Higher flame settings deliver a more dramatic visual impact and warmth, though they'll reduce runtime. Adjusting the flame via the slide or hinge mechanism changes oxygen supply to the burner, so you get more hours of gentle glow or fewer hours of bold presence, whatever suits the occasion.

You can also extinguish the burner mid-burn if needed. Simply turn it off and allow the burner to cool for 60 minutes before relighting. The vapours need that cooling time.

The burner capacity varies across our range, so compact models sit toward the lower end of the 8–13 hour spectrum while larger burners reach the upper end.

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. 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.

EcoSmart Fire ventless ethanol fireplaces deliver heat output ranging from approximately 2.5 kW to 6 kW (8,500–20,433 BTU/h), depending on burner size. Heat output correlates directly to burner dimensions: smaller configurations produce around 2.5 kW and heat zones of approximately 20 m² [215 ft²], while the largest burners reach 6 kW and warm spaces up to 60 m² [645 ft²] or larger.

Heat output is adjustable in real time via baffle inserts, so you are not locked at maximum output. You can dial flame intensity up or down to match your comfort needs. This matters for efficiency: over 90% of the heat generated stays in the room, as there is no flue to lose it through.

Fuel consumption ranges from approximately 0.5 L/h on lower settings to 2+ L/h at full output, with operating costs around USD 1.50 per hour depending on burner size and flame setting. For sizing, minimum room volumes start at 40 m³ [1,413 ft³] for the smallest burners, scaling up to 116 m³ [4,097 ft³] for the largest. Match your space volume to burner size to ensure comfortable zone heating.

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.

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.

Ethanol fireplaces typically don't require building permits in most jurisdictions because the ventless design avoids the restrictions that apply to traditional fireplaces. Since there's no chimney, gas line, or flue to regulate, ethanol fireplaces fall outside the strict building codes created for wood and gas systems. EcoSmart Fire products carry UL 1370 and EN 16647 certification, meeting the safety standards most building authorities reference, which often results in automatic exemption from permit requirements.

Where to verify for your location:

• Contact your local building authority directly with your address and installation plan. Most can confirm permit status in one conversation.
• If you're in an apartment, managed community, or strata scheme, notify your body corporate or residents' committee. Whilst permits may not be required, the organisation may want advance notice of the addition.
• Check with your home insurer. Most policies cover ethanol fireplaces without additional riders, but confirming coverage beforehand simplifies the process should a claim arise.

Jurisdictional variation is minimal. With over 150,000 EcoSmart Fire installations across North America, Europe, the UK, and Australia since 2004, the regulatory picture is consistent: ethanol fireplaces gain approval where they're assessed against safety standards rather than traditional fireplace codes. If your jurisdiction does impose conditions, they're typically straightforward ventilation or room-volume requirements, not permit blockers.