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Outdoor bioethanol fireplace

Can Bioethanol Fireplaces Be Used in an Outdoor Space?

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Imaginfires
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The short answer:

Bioethanol fireplaces can be used outdoors, but you need to ensure it’s kept in a safe position and that you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines during use. Wind is the biggest risk factor, so make sure you position your fireplace in a sheltered area such as a covered patio. It should also be placed on a stable, non-combustible surface, well away from any flammable materials. You should never leave your fireplace exposed to the elements and always use a waterproof cover when not in use. It’s important to note that a biofire won’t give off as much warmth when used outdoors, meaning they’re better suited to creating a perfect ambience rather than being a heating source.

Outdoor bioethanol fireplace

Wondering if a bioethanol fireplace can be used outdoors? Biofires give you all the benefits of a wood-burning fire without the smoke, mess, or maintenance, allowing you to easily bring the beauty of real flames into your own back garden. 

However, there are a few things you need to consider when using a bioethanol fireplace outdoors. The open environment changes how the flame behaves, how you experience heat, and how the fire needs to be positioned and protected – so it’s vital that you follow all manufacturer guidelines before, during, and after operation.

Here’s how to safely use a bioethanol fireplace outdoors.

Are bioethanol fireplaces suitable for outdoor use?

Many bioethanol fireplaces can be used outside, as long as you handle them in a safe and responsible manner. 

In an outdoor setting, biofires should be used as an aesthetic feature rather than a primary heat source. While the flame produces the same heat output (2kW) whether used indoors or outdoors, the warmth disperses much more quickly in the open environment.

However, they offer several advantages over wood-burning fires, including:

  • A clean, smoke-free flame with no lingering odours on your clothes or furniture

  • No need for a chimney, flue, or gas connection, which makes installation much easier

  • Create a striking focal point that naturally draws people to your garden seating areas

  • Simple to light and use with minimal maintenance required

  • A portable design that you can move between your indoor and outdoor spaces 

Bioethanol fires make for an attractive addition to your garden or patio, both aesthetically and practically. Read our top tips for designing the ultimate outdoor living space with a bioethanol fireplace.

How to safely use a bioethanol fireplace outdoors

1) Shelter your fireplace from wind

Wind is one of the biggest factors you’ll need to manage when using a bioethanol fireplace in your garden. A sudden gust of wind can distort or spread the flames unpredictably, pushing them closer to nearby objects and reducing the efficiency of the fireplace.

Bioethanol fireplace wind safety tips: 

  • Make sure you position the fireplace in a sheltered area, like a covered patio or in a corner protected by walls or fencing

  • Ensure that flammable objects are kept at least 1 metre away from the fireplace 

  • Never position the fireplace where a breeze or wind could cause the flames to behave erratically or blow flammable items into the fire

2) Position it in a safe place

Where you position your fireplace plays a crucial role in both the safety of those around it and how effectively it performs. An unstable or poorly placed fire may be more likely to tip over, burn unevenly, or cause nearby materials to overheat.

Bioethanol fireplace placement tips: 

  • Place the fireplace on a flat, stable, and non-combustible surface

  • Keep it well away from garden furniture and soft furnishings

  • Never position the fireplace near wooden structures, decking edges, or fencing

  • Ensure there are no overhanging branches, pergolas, or low structures above the flame

Outdoor bioethanol fireplace

3) Ensure good ventilation and airflow

Good ventilation and airflow improves both the safety and efficiency of your fireplace. If it’s not positioned in the correct place, this can restrict combustion and lead to an inconsistent or weak flame.

Bioethanol fireplace ventilation tips:

  • Avoid placing the fireplace in tightly enclosed or boxed-in areas

  • Ensure there is consistent airflow around the unit at all times

  • Be mindful of partially covered spaces where air movement may be limited

4) Properly store and care for your fireplace 

If your fireplace is exposed to the elements, this can directly impact how safe it is to use and how long it will last. Moisture, in particular, can affect the fuel box and internal components, potentially causing a fire hazard.

Bioethanol fireplace care and storage tips:

  • Always cover the fireplace with a waterproof cover when not in use

  • Avoid leaving the fireplace outside during prolonged rain or harsh weather

  • Do not store the fireplace outdoors all year round

  • Check that the fuel box is completely dry and free from debris before lighting

  • Regularly check the fireplace to ensure that no water has collected inside the fuel box or internal components

Do’s and don’ts when using a bioethanol fireplace outdoors

Outdoor bioethanol fireplace

Do:

  • Choose a model that can be used outdoors, like the outdoor range from imaginfires

  • Position the fireplace in a sheltered, low-wind area

  • Keep it on a secure and level surface

  • Maintain clear space around the flame

  • Use a protective cover when not in use

  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions at all times

Don’t:

  • Use the fireplace in strong or gusty winds

  • Place it near flammable materials or structures

  • Leave it exposed to rain or moisture

  • Store it outdoors permanently

  • Light the fire if the fuel box is wet or contaminated

  • Attempt to relight without checking if a flame is already present

Want to experience the joy of real flames in your garden without any of the usual drawbacks?

Browse our range of outdoor biofires

Frequently asked questions

  • Can I use a bioethanol fireplace outside?

    Many of our customers do use their bioethanol fire outdoors, but please remember to position them well away from any flammable items, especially those models that have an open front. There may be an unexpected gust of wind that could cause a fire if the flame touches anything flammable!

    Also whilst there is the same amount of heat generated by ethanol fires when used outdoors as indoors, the space being heated is obviously much larger and therefore the heat level will feel less than when used indoors.  

    So if being considered for outdoor purposes, usage of bioethanol fireplaces outdoors  should be mainly used to create a nice relaxing vibe for your space. 

  • Are bioethanol fireplaces safe?

    Are bioethanol fireplaces safe?

    Bioethanol fireplaces produce real flames, so it's important that they should be treated with the same level of caution and safety as any other object that produces flames. Having said this, bioethanol fireplace safety procedures are very easy to follow, meaning that they are suitable for use in most homes.  

    To ensure that our customers stay as safe as possible, Imaginfires are constantly updating and improving our biofires. This means that our ethanol fireplace safety features have been tested by a world-renowned testing laboratory to ensure they meet the new British and European safety standard BS EN 16647:2015. Customers can rest assured that we only sell products that we would and have been delighted to install in our own homes.

    What makes bioethanol fires safe indoors?

    Recent updates include the introduction of a new, patented, ‘no-spill’ fuel box into our freestanding, fire basket and woodburner biofires. This means that the biofuel is quickly absorbed by a special internal absorption feature, reducing the risk of any biofuel spilling out of the fireplace when knocked.

    Of course, despite every effort being made to make biofires as safe as possible, there are a few basic safety measures biofire users should always follow. These are all listed in the supplied product manual, but include:

    Taking care with biofuel

    Biofuel is obviously a flammable substance, so it should be handled with care for maximum ethanol fireplace safety. It is important never to pour biofuel onto a lit or warm fireplace. Rather, users should only refuel the fireplace once it has been turned off and cooled down. 

    Before refilling the steel fuel box with the bioethanol fuel, always ensure the fuel box has returned to room temperature (this takes approximately 30 minutes from extinguishing the fire). You should also clean up any biofuel spillages before lighting the fire.

    Purchase high-quality fuel

    To keep your running costs reasonable and to avoid any potential problems that low quality biofuel could cause, we recommend buying the fuel that is of a high quality and has at least 95% alcohol. This provides the best and longest flame.  

    We offer some of the best value biofuel in the market, and our fuel is developed and bottled specifically for Imaginfires biofires. You can read many great Trustpilot reviews we have received from customers for our biofuel.  

  • How do you properly maintain a bioethanol fuel box?

    Proper maintenance of your bioethanol fuel box is crucial to ensure safe and efficient usage of your bioethanol fireplace. Since the fuel is housed in the stainless steel burner box of the bioethanol fire, it is very important that there are no cracks or leaks in this component. Although most of our burner boxes are double lined for additional safety, we still recommend that from time to time you give a quick visual check to see if any cracks have appeared in any part of the burner box, especially if you have dropped or knocked it.

    Essential steps to bioethanol fuel box maintenance

    • Regular inspection: Before each use, carefully inspect the fuel box for any cracks, leaks, or damages. If you notice any issues, do not use the box, and seek a replacement.
    • Expiry date: Check the expiration date of the bioethanol fuel and avoid using it after the specified date. Expired fuel may not burn correctly and could lead to potential hazards.

    Maintaining your bioethanol fuel box in accordance with these steps ensures both safety and the longevity of your bioethanol fireplace setup.

  • How do I light my bioethanol fireplace?

    If you've ever lit a real fire, you'll know the pain of building kindling and firelighters and then trying to get it to light for long enough to add more fuel to the fire. Wood burners are usually much easier to light, but it can take a few attempts to get it burning fiercely. 

    Bioethanol fireplaces are a cinch in comparison. All you need to do is first check that there is no fuel from previous use either inside, around or underneath the fuel box.  If there is fuel INSIDE the fuel box, then we strongly suggest you light this first and allow it burn off.  If there is any sign of spilled or accumulated fuel AROUND or UNDERNEATH the fuel box, then clean that away first.  If your biofire has a secondary chamber / housing around the fuel box, please check this too.  Once you are happy that there is no biofuel remnant, you can now squeeze up to 1 litre of biofuel into the fuel box. Never fill past the 'max indicator on the fuel box, or in any case more than 1litre of fuel.  You're now ready to light it.  (we have a short video showing how to light it here).  You'll get small, blue flames at first, but they'll grow into beautiful, warming yellow flames once the fireplace has warmed up….usually within around 10 minutes but it depends on a few factors such as natural ventilation levels in the home, or the temperature of the fuel box.  

    Can I use matches to light my bioethanol fireplace?

    Never use matches to light your bioethanol fireplace - if you drop the stick/match into the fuel box filter, it will give off smoke. The beauty of a bioethanol fireplace is that it creates no smoke, soot, or ash — you don't need a chimney or flue — so, you don't want to risk producing smoke inside your home. 

    We recommend using a refillable long-reach lighter — that way, your hand will be nowhere near the flame when it ignites. The sort of lighters that cost a £ or 2 from supermarkets or Amazon. 

    How long does it take to light a bioethanol flame? 

    After filling your bioethanol fuel box, lighting the fire is easy. The fuel gently ignites as soon as you expose it to the flame of your long-reach lighter. Remember that the fire will be small to start with - this is normal and will grow once the fireplace has warmed up. 

    The flame may go out if your bioethanol fireplace is very cold. Make sure there's no flame, then simply relight. The flame will take after the second lighting. 

    How big is a bioethanol flame?

    While a bioethanol flame isn't as hot as a wood or coal flame, you'll enjoy large, yellow flames similar to a wood burner once the bioethanol fireplace has warmed up. 

    It takes around ten to twenty minutes for the yellow flames to appear — the flames look blue at first. The flames build in size over time, like a conventional fire, so expect smaller flames when you first light your biofire. 

    What happens if I spill some bioethanol fuel?

    Always check there is no spilled fuel around or underneath the fuel box.  If you biofire has an additional outer section to hold any spills, always check this too.  Wipe up any spilt bioethanol fuel that's fallen outside the fuel box aperture before you light your bioethanol fire. Use a paper towel or a cloth to mop up the fuel.

    You're much less likely to spill or dribble any biofuel with ImaginFires products because we supply our bioethanol in a handy squeezy bottle with a no-drip cap, and we build no-spill fuel boxes into all our bioethanol fireplaces.