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Stow black bioethanol fireplace

The Best Freestanding Fireplace Alternatives for UK Homes

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Imaginfires
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In short:

Electric, gas, and wood-burning fires all come with their limitations – they’re either expensive to install, governed by strict indoor fire regulations, or don’t give that real flame ambience. Freestanding bioethanol fireplaces stand out as the best freestanding fireplace alternative out there. They give you all the joy of a real flame with none of the drawbacks, making them one of the most versatile fireplace options for all types of UK homes. 

Autumn styled bioethanol fireplace

Always thought that a real fireplace just isn’t possible in your home? If you’re renting and can’t make permanent changes, or you own a home without a chimney and want to avoid costly building work, then traditional fireplaces can feel completely out of reach. But the good news is that there are freestanding fireplace alternatives out there that don’t require a chimney, gas connection, or ongoing maintenance to be able to enjoy the warmth and ambience of a real fire.

In today’s blog, we walk you through the most popular freestanding fire ideas in the UK, and explain why bioethanol has become the go-to choice for anyone who wants that real flame experience with none of the hassle of a traditional fireplace.

The most popular freestanding fire ideas in the UK

Freestanding wood-burning stoves

Wood burners remain a popular visual centrepiece, even in freestanding form. They emit plenty of heat and offer a traditional fireplace aesthetic that looks great in period homes and rural properties. 

However, they do come with their fair share of drawbacks:

  • Freestanding woodburners require a flue or chimney to operate, and they must comply with strict indoor fire regulations.

  • If you live in a smoke control area, you’re not permitted to use a woodburner due to smoke emission concerns. 

  • Even if you are allowed to use a woodburner in your area, you’ll need somewhere to store your logs, and you’ll need to regularly clean and maintain your fire – which makes them a lot less practical for renters or smaller homes.

To summarise: while woodburners do look appealing, they can be a bit of a headache to install and maintain.

Freestanding wood burner

Freestanding electric fireplaces

Electric fireplaces are one of the most accessible portable fireplace options out there. They plug into a standard socket, require no ventilation, and are safe to use in most living spaces.

Electric fires are a good choice if you want something convenient – but again, they do have some drawbacks:

  • The flame effect is artificial so you don’t get that sensory experience associated with a real fire (watching the natural movement of the flames, hearing the gentle cracking of wood, and feeling the gentle warmth on your skin).

  • They also don’t emit that much heat (usually around 1-2kWh, compared with around 5kWh for woodburners). 

To summarise: although electric fireplaces are easy to install and require no ventilation, they lack the warmth and sensory experience of a real flame.

Freestanding electric fireplace

Freestanding gas fireplaces

Gas fires offer real flames and a high heat output. They work well in homes where a fixed gas supply and professional fitting are already in place.

However, freestanding gas models are far less flexible than they appear:

  • They require a fixed gas connection and professional installation, which immediately rules them out for renters.

  • Gas fires are also subject to strict regulatory requirements. They need to be inspected and maintained regularly to ensure they are operating safely (carbon monoxide is a key concern with these types of fireplaces).

To summarise: gas fires can work in some types of homes, but they’re difficult to install and maintain, which often makes them an impractical choice.

Freestanding gas fireplace

The best freestanding fireplace alternative: freestanding bioethanol fireplaces

Freestanding gas fireplace

Freestanding bioethanol fireplaces offer that cosy real flame feeling without the need for a chimney, flue, or gas supply. They run on bioethanol fuel and are clean-burning, so there’s no need to worry about smoke, soot, or ash polluting your home or the environment. And because of this, they require no maintenance apart from the occasional clean. However, we do recommend only using them in rooms that are greater than 40m3 (height X width X depth of room).

Bioethanol fireplaces are also one of the best portable fireplace options out there. They’re easy to install and many models can be used straight out the box, as well as being moved from room to room as you please. They can even be used outdoors to make your garden or patio area feel even more atmospheric on those balmy summer evenings. This makes them the best freestanding fireplace alternative for rented accommodation or flats/apartments where traditional fires simply aren’t possible.

Freestanding fireplace comparison

Fireplace type

Installation required

Real flame

Vent/flue needed

Ongoing maintenance

Suitabilityfor renters

Wood-burning fireplace

Yes (professional installation)

Yes

Yes

High (sweeping ash, chimney cleaning & fuel storage)

Poor

Gas fireplace

Yes (gas connection & certification)

Yes

Usually

Medium (servicing & safety checks)

Poor

Electric fireplace

No

No (flame effect only)

No

Low

Good

Bioethanol fireplace

No

Yes

No

Low

Excellent

Discover imaginfires’ range of freestanding bioethanol fireplaces

Bioethanol fireplace dining room scene

If you’re furnishing your rental accommodation, updating your apartment, or don’t want the hassle of installing a chimney, bioethanol could be the perfect freestanding fireplace alternative for your home. 

At imaginfires, we offer an impressive selection of freestanding bioethanol fireplaces that give you all the benefits of real fire, with none of the drawbacks. Browse our freestanding models today and get ready to discover how effortless real flames can be!

Frequently asked questions

  • Are bioethanol fires more eco-friendly than coal fires or woodburners?

    Yes. Bioethanol fires burn cleaner than woodburners, and they produce no smoke, soot or harmful emissions. Made from renewable plant-based sources, bioethanol is far greener than coal or wood – and with no chimney needed, there's no wasted heat either.

  • Will my bioethanol fireplace need professional installation?

    Not at all. Just place your fireplace where you want it, add fuel, and ignite. No tools, tradespeople, or building work required.

  • What is bioethanol fuel made of?

    Bioethanol (also simply known as ethanol) is a renewable energy source with a string of green credentials, including using 100% plant raw materials. Ethanol is an alcohol produced by fermenting the sugars in various crops such as corn, wheat straw, potatoes, soybean, or sugarcane — often used to power cars and industrial engines.

    But, of course, bioethanol is also the perfect fuel for your fire — the guilt-free way of heating your home. 

    The main difference between motor-grade ethanol that you may be more familiar with, and what we call bioethanol for your biofire is that bioethanol is made from the by-products of those crops — the waste parts of the plant typically thrown away. 

    Does bioethanol create smoke?

    In short — no. Bioethanol burns cleanly, mainly producing a trace amount of water vapour and carbon dioxide. This is why it’s safe to burn bioethanol in the home without a flue, extractor fan, or chimney. 

    Bioethanol uses oxygen in the air to burn (like conventional fires), so we recommend keeping the room ventilated to ensure airflow. And while burning bioethanol fuel produces a little carbon dioxide, it’s only the same amount as burning some regular candles. 

    Is bioethanol explosive or drinkable?

    We were surprised to be asked this so often! Bioethanol is a Class-1B liquid (for flammability) and Class-3 PGII (for transportation) and is “denatured” to prevent human consumption. Most bioethanol sold in the UK is at least 94% ethanol, with a denaturing agent which adds toxicity to stop people from drinking it!  So 

    Bioethanol isn’t explosive, but it is of course extremely flammable — it wouldn’t be much use if it weren’t, after all. We recommend storing your bioethanol fuel as far away from your biofire and other sources of ignition as possible.  

    Is cheap bioethanol worth it?

    Like all consumer products, you should buy the highest-quality bioethanol fuel that you can, which will help ensure it burns cleanly and also offers a decent number of hours burning time.

    You will get at least 3.5 hours of heating from 1 litre of our biofuels. We have not tested lower quality bioethanol with our biofires, simply because we do not believe they are safe to use,  nor can their quality be relied on.  

    Accept nothing less than 94% pure bioethanol with no unnecessary chemicals added.

  • Is the flame on a bioethanol fireplace real?

    Yes, absolutely. Its a real flame, so you need to exercise common sense. You need to treat them with the same level of care as any open fire source (ensuring any flammable items are out of reach, not touching the flame or surround when it is alight).  We strongly advise that you read the manual supplied with your bioethanol fireplace. Please contact us if you need another copy and we would be more than happy to supply one. If you want further advice on remaining safe around a Biofire, you can read our more detailed article : www.imaginfires.co.uk/blog/how-to-safely-use-a-bioethanol-fireplace