Do bioethanol fireplaces really produce heat, or are they simply a decorative feature? While these types of fireplaces are undeniably attractive, many people want to know if they will actually warm their room. In short: yes, bioethanol fireplaces do create real heat. But it’s important to understand how much warmth they produce and how this compares to traditional fireplace options before investing in one.

Below, we delve into everything you need to know about bioethanol fireplace heat output, and explain why so many people are making the switch to this eco heat source.

Real flames with real warmth

Many people wonder whether bioethanol fireplaces actually produce heat. Biofires burn a clean, plant-based fuel that generates a genuine flame. This flame not only looks stunning but also creates a comfortable level of heat. Unlike electric fires that rely on visual effects to simulate a flame, a bioethanol fire gives off real warmth without the need for a chimney or flue.

Although biofires are not intended as a primary heat source for your home, they are excellent for supplementary heating. Many of our customers describe the heat as a comfortable toastiness, which is ideal for evenings when you don’t want to heat the whole house, or if you just want a boost of warmth in the winter.

How much heat can you expect?

A bioethanol fireplace produces around 3 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of heat when the burner is fully open. To put this into perspective, most electric fires generate around 2kWh of heat, while woodburning stoves and open fireplaces can deliver around 5kWh. This is often too much for small-to-medium-sized rooms, where you just need a top-up heat source.

If you want to create a cosy, consistent temperature that doesn’t overwhelm your space, a biofire is the way forward. Temperature tests confirm that our bioethanol fireplaces can reach around 180ºC at full burn, which is more than enough to warm a small-to-medium-sized room in as little as 10-15 minutes. 

However, some of our customers find that at full flame, the output can feel a little too hot; which is why all our burners feature adjustable sliders. That way, you can reduce the strength of the flame and control the level of warmth from your biofire as you wish.   

Different models = different heat outputs

It’s important to be aware that different bioethanol fireplaces may give off different amounts of heat. For maximum bioethanol heat output, we recommend choosing a larger design. Our Howarth and Burford freestanding fireplaces are two popular choices for heating bigger rooms.

However, if you’re only looking to heat a small space, then you might want to choose one of our compact woodburner-style fireplaces like the Bredon or Boston. Their stylish flames give off a comfortable warmth that doesn’t overpower the room. 

And because many of our fireplaces are portable, you can easily enjoy them outdoors on those balmy evenings. But it’s important to be aware that fuel tends to burn faster in windy conditions.

The eco-friendly advantage

Bioethanol fireplaces are also celebrated for being an eco heat source. Bioethanol fuel is made from renewable crops such as corn, sugarcane, and wheat. When burned, it produces no smoke, soot, or harmful pollutants – only small amounts of water vapour and carbon dioxide (roughly the same amount as two burning candles). This clean-burning quality means you can safely enjoy the comfort of real flames without needing a chimney or flue. 

Discover more about why biofires are the most environmentally friendly fireplaces in our dedicated blog post.

Comparing biofires with other heat sources

Got more burning questions about bioethanol fireplaces?

Our friendly, knowledgeable team is always on the end of the phone to answer all your burning questions on bioethanol fires and help you find the right model for your home. Get in touch to find out why you should make the switch to a biofire.