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How to safely use a bioethanol fireplace

Top 5 Safety Tips When Using a Bioethanol Fireplace

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Imaginfires
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Key takeaways:

Bioethanol fireplaces are safe if you use them correctly and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Make sure you only use high-quality bioethanol fuel. Never refuel your burner while it’s still warm or lit (leave 30 minutes in between relighting / refuelling). Ensure your room is properly ventilated with the correct clearance distances, and always extinguish the flame using the closing tool provided. By following these simple bioethanol fireplace safety tips, you can sit back and enjoy the ambience of the real flames with complete confidence.



Have you recently purchased a bioethanol fireplace? It’s vital that you understand how to use it correctly. Bioethanol fireplaces produce real flames, meaning you should treat them with the same care and attention you would give to any open fire in your home.

In this guide, we’re sharing our top five safety tips to help you use your bioethanol fireplace safely and confidently from day one.

Are bioethanol fireplaces safe?

There are always some risks associated with indoor fireplaces, particularly those that produce real flames. But the good news is that if you install and operate your bioethanol fireplace correctly, they are completely safe to use indoors. 

Bioethanol fireplaces are strictly for decorative and domestic use only, and they are designed as a secondary heat source – not as a replacement for your central heating. They burn clean bioethanol fuel, producing heat, water vapour, and a small amount of carbon dioxide. They don’t produce any smoke, soot, or ash, so you don’t need a chimney or flue to operate one.

Modern bioethanol fireplaces (like imaginfires’) are built with safety at the forefront. They’re independently tested against recognised European standards and feature built-in limits on how much fuel they can hold, simple mechanisms that allow you to control the intensity of the flames, and enclosed burner systems that keep the fuel safely contained inside. These details are specifically designed to minimise safety risks and help you get the best out of your biofire.

Top 5 bioethanol fire safety tips

1) Never refuel or relight your fireplace when it’s warm

This is the most important rule when it comes to bioethanol fireplace safety. You should never pour fuel into a fuel box that is lit or has been recently extinguished and is still warm. Your fuel box needs to return to room temperature before you can refill it, which means you’ll need to wait at least 30 minutes after the flame has gone out.

If you pour bioethanol fuel onto a warm fuel box, this could cause the vapours to ignite and create an uncontrollable fire – potentially leading to serious injury or even death. But if you allow for the proper cooling time, there’s nothing to worry about!

safely use bioethanol

2) Use only approved bioethanol fuel

Not all liquid fuels are safe for biofires. You should only use bioethanol fuel that is specifically produced for bioethanol fireplaces, with an alcohol content of at least 95% and no more than 97.5%. Never pour petrol, diesel, lighter fluid, gel fuels, or any other accelerants onto your fireplace.

Even when using high-purity bioethanol fuel, you need to ensure that you never fill the fuel box beyond the MAX line (usually 1 litre). After filling, you should allow the fuel to be absorbed by the ceramic fibres for approximately 3 minutes before lighting and clean up any spills. These small steps will make a big difference to both the safety and efficiency of your fireplace.

3) Position your fireplace correctly

Safe placement is key when using a bioethanol fireplace indoors. Make sure that you maintain the recommended clearance distance from your walls and furniture (as shown in the table below) and that your fireplace is placed on a stable, flat surface. Keep any curtains, fabrics, paper, and ornaments well away from the flames. 


Fireplace type

Top

Back

Sides

Front

Wall-mounted

30cm

N/A

30cm

100cm

Baskets (Arkle, Anya, Eton)

60cm

10cm

10cm

100cm

Freestanding woodburner-style

30cm

10cm

45cm

100cm

Woodburner-style placed inside fireproof enclosure

30cm

10cm

10cm

100cm

You should only use bioethanol fireplaces in rooms with a minimum volume of 40 cubic metres and ensure you ventilate the space regularly. Leaving a door ajar and opening a window for a few minutes before refuelling should be sufficient. Biofires should never be used in caravans, boats, vehicles, or unventilated spaces.

4) Light and extinguish the flames correctly

It’s vital that you follow the recommended guidance when lighting and extinguishing your fire:

  • Always use a long-reach gas fire lighter and light the fuel at arm’s length – there should be a minimum of 140mm from the handle to the flame.

  • You should only ever light from the side, never from directly above. 

  • If you hear a “puff” sound and there is no visible flame, do not attempt to relight or add fuel for at least 30 minutes, as invisible flames may be present.

  • Only extinguish the flames using the closing tool provided, never by blowing out the flames. 

  • If the fire doesn’t extinguish immediately, quickly open and close the shutter until the flames go out, and then leave the shutter fully closed. 

  • Don’t open the fuel box for at least 10 minutes after closing to ensure the flame is fully extinguished and will not reignite.

5) Keep your children and pets at a safe distance

Real flames come with significant safety risks that you can’t afford to ignore. All parts of the fireplace will become hot during use, including the external surfaces. Always keep your children and pets at a safe distance from the fireplace (we recommend using a fire screen), and don’t allow them to touch any part of the fireplace. 

If you’ve opted for a wall-mounted biofire, your walls above and around the fireplace will remain warm for some time after putting out the fire. Therefore, it’s vital that you prevent your children and pets from touching any nearby surfaces both during and after use. You should never leave your fire unattended or go to sleep while the flames are still burning.

Enjoy the beauty of real flames with complete confidence

At imaginfires, safety is never an afterthought. It's built into every detail of every model we create. 

All our bioethanol fireplaces have been independently tested to BS EN 16647-1:2015, giving you complete peace of mind that your fireplace is completely safe to use indoors. Every biofire also comes with our double-lined, ‘no-spill’ fuel box. The Fybrax no-spill technology instantly absorbs all bioethanol fuel and prevents excess fuel from spilling over the sides, even if the fire is knocked. This gives you a smooth and cleaner-burning flame every time, while ensuring you and your family remain safe during use. 

 

 

 


We also supply a range of low odour and scented high-purity 96% bioethanol fuel. Unlike low quality, impure alternatives, our premium fuel leaves behind no nasty residue or lingering odours, helping to minimise fire risks and prolong your fireplace’s lifespan.

Explore our full collection of bioethanol fireplaces and get ready to enjoy the beauty of real flames with complete confidence.

Frequently asked questions

  • 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 safely dispose of bioethanol fuel?

    To safely dispose of bioethanol fuel, follow these steps:

    • Allow the fuel to cool: Ensure the bioethanol fuel has completely cooled down to room temperature before disposal.
    • Store in a dedicated container: Use a dedicated container designed for bioethanol fuel to minimise the risk of spills or leaks. Ideally keep the biofuel in the bottle it came in. Decanting to other bottles that have not been approved for the use of ethanol based contents is not recommended.
    • Check local regulations: Consult local authorities or waste management facilities to understand specific procedures and requirements for disposal.
    • Contact recycling or hazardous waste facilities: Inquire with local recycling or hazardous waste facilities about their processes for disposing of bioethanol fuel.
    • Follow manufacturer's instructions: Always follow the manufacturer's instructions for safe disposal of bioethanol fuel.

    Consult your biofuel experts today

    If you’re looking for more information on biofuel or bioethanol fireplaces, our team is happy to assist you. Contact us today!

  • How do I light a bioethanol fireplace?

    Customers thinking about buying one of our bioethanol fireplaces often ask “How do I Light A Bioethanol fireplace?” It’s such a common question as many customers cannot believe that using a Biofire is as straightforward as we say.

    All you need is a fire lighter and some bioethanol fuel. You simply squeeze the biofuel into the fuel box, and light at arms-length! That’s it! You should of course clear away any spilt fuel with a paper towel or cloth before lighting, and if you have any of our ceramic pebbles or logs then don’t position them over the opening of the fuel box.

    Once lit, you will get around 3.5 to 4 hours from 1 litre of fuel. If you need to close off the flame before all the biofuel has been used up, it’s just as easy. Simply use the supplied closing tool to pull the shutter on the fuel box over the flame. Should you need to refuel the fireplace, please allow at least 30 minutes or until the fuel box has returned to room temperature.

  • Where can I use my bioethanol fireplace?

    Bioethanol fireplaces are extremely versatile, offering the beauty and cosiness of a real flame in rooms otherwise unable to accommodate a real fire. 

    The most significant USP of a biofire? You don’t need a flue or a chimney. So, bioethanol fireplaces are suitable for:

    • Houses without chimneys
    • Flats and Apartments
    • Conservatories
    • Outhouses
    • Outdoor spaces, such as patios and verandas

    So, if your search for an additional source of heating has so far only resulted in options of bland or uninspiring gas or electric fireplaces, you may now like to also consider bioethanol burners, (sometimes also called bioethanol fireplace, or biofires) to elevate your living space.

    Why don’t I need a flue for my biofire?

    Many traditional wood- and coal-burning fireplaces offer cosiness and high heat outputs, but they also create a lot of mess and pollution that affects environmental air quality. 

    Additionally, when burning fossil fuels, you need a fully operational chimney or flue to ensure that any toxic gases and smoke are pushed out into the air outside rather than the room inside. 

    However, bioethanol fuel burns cleanly, producing:

    • a little water vapour (but not enough to create condensation in your room), 
    • carbon dioxide (around the same amount as burning two candles), and 
    • heat!

    There are no installation costs or mess involved in burning bioethanol fuel in the correct type of fireplace.  And if you feel that a flue would complete the look of your wood-burner-style biofire, include a dummy flue with your order. 

    You’ll receive your biofire delivered to your door — from there, all you need to do is remove the packaging and light it! Simple. 

    Can I hang a biofire on the wall?

    Yes. We offer beautiful wall-mounted biofires that attach to most interior walls, and you don’t need special skills to hang your biofire — just use the provided kit (including screws and wallplugs) and get warm and cosy within an hour or so. 

    Obviously, if DIY isn’t your thing, you might want someone to help — but anyone who knows how to hang a picture will have the skills to install their wall-mounted biofire. 

    Just like any fire, you’ll need sufficient wall space and at least 1m clearance of flammable materials, such as fabrics, curtains, and other soft furnishings. 

    We always recommend using your bioethanol fireplace in a ventilated room, but clear of drafts that can blow the flame out or in random directions, causing a potential fire hazard. 

    Where can I put a free-standing bioethanol fireplace?

    Free-standing fireplaces are often portable, meaning you can use them in practically any room of the house (although we don’t recommend bioethanol fires for small bedrooms). Just ensure that you place your fireplace in an area clear of combustible items, such as curtains and soft furnishings. 

    Free-standing biofires usually have a glass-fronted door containing the flame inside. However, the flame occasionally licks out of the vent at the top of the unit. So, leave 1m between the top of your fireplace and anything flammable, such as a shelf or a TV. 

    Does a bioethanol fireplace need a hearthstone?

    No — you don’t need a hearth stone for your biofire.

    Remember: your bioethanol fireplace produces a real flame, so place it on a secure floor and in a place where you can’t knock it over. 

    Never move (or refill) your biofire while it’s lit — always leave it to cool down before you move it (or refill it). 

    Like all real flames, biofires use oxygen to burn — so we recommend using your biofire in a well-ventilated room. Keep an internal door open if you don’t want to open a window.

  • Can I pour bioethanol fuel on top of existing fuel?

    NEVER !!  This is extremely dangerous, so never pour any fuel on top of a flame/ existing fire. Always allow the existing flame to be extinguished fully and the fuel fuel box to be cooled before adding any more bio fuel.

    Also, take extreme care that, before lighting the biofire, the bioethanol fuel bottle is removed from the area, at least 3 metres away.