The Disadvantages of Bioethanol Fireplaces
Every home deserves the joy of a real fire. But in a world filled with smoke control areas and rental restrictions, traditional fires just aren’t possible for all of us. That’s where bioethanol fireplaces come in. They’re eco-friendly and deliver that real flame experience that we all love, with no smoke, no chimneys, and none of the usual hassle.
But as with any fireplace, it’s important to understand both the pros and cons before investing. To help you make an informed choice, we’ve rounded up the main bioethanol fireplace disadvantages, along with some simple ways to overcome them.
Understanding the main bioethanol fireplace disadvantages
1) Bioethanol fires are a supplementary heat source only
If you’re hoping to replace your central heating with another heat source, a bioethanol fireplace may not be the right choice for you.
Biofires are designed for ambience and topping up the warmth in one or two rooms, rather than being a whole-home heating solution. Many of our customers get the most out of their biofires by turning down their thermostat to around 18ºC, and using their biofire to create a comfortable temperature in the room they use most (often the living room).
This is actually a much more efficient approach to heating your home. Why heat every corner of your home when you’re only using one or two rooms? A biofire can make your main living space feel warm and inviting, while helping to reduce your reliance on gas or electric heating elsewhere. Read our blog on the effectiveness of bioethanol fireplaces for more information.
Workaround: Treat your biofire as a top-up heat source to enhance the warmth in one or two rooms only, rather than your primary source of heat.
2) You’ll need to refuel regularly
A litre of bioethanol fuel typically burns for around 3.5-4 hours, depending on the size of the burner and the flame setting. That’s the perfect amount for a cosy evening indoors – but if you’re planning on running your biofire throughout the day, you’ll need to refill it more than once.
The refuelling process is simple: just squeeze the biofuel into the fuel box, and light it with a fire lighter at arms length. However, you’ll need to ensure that the burner has completely cooled before refuelling, which can take up to 30 minutes. You should never attempt to top up a warm or hot fuel box, and always check for any spills before relighting. Bioethanol is a clear liquid, so it can be easy to miss a small splash, which could ignite unexpectedly.
All our bioethanol fires come with our exclusive “no-spill” fuel box, which has been thoughtfully designed to keep you safe during use. The Fybrax technology instantly absorbs all bioethanol fuel and prevents spills, even if the fire is knocked. However, accidents do happen, so it’s important to still take care. After refilling once or twice, it will quickly become second nature!
Workaround: Keep a couple of bottles of our bioethanol fuel on hand and plan when you’ll refuel your fire to minimise disruption.
3) Fuel costs can be higher than gas or wood
Bioethanol is a clean-burning, renewable fuel that’s made from plants. Its eco-friendly credentials are part of what makes it so appealing – but it can cost a little more than other fuels when compared litre for litre.
That being said, there’s a whole lot of other running costs to consider when comparing different types of fireplaces. Biofires don’t require flues, professional installation, or ongoing maintenance, making the overall running cost much cheaper than log, gas, and electric fires. And because you only pay for the fuel you use, there are no standing charges or hidden fees to worry about. Discover more about the real running costs of bioethanol fires in our dedicated blog post.
We regularly offer deals on our bioethanol fuel, so it’s worth keeping an eye out on our website or signing up to our newsletter for current promotions. Buying in bulk can also bring the price down per litre.
Workaround: Use your biofire when and where you’ll enjoy it most to help keep your fuel consumption under control.
4) You’ll need a little ventilation
Because bioethanol burns oxygen from the surrounding air, you’ll need to make sure there’s a small amount of ventilation while the fire is in use. This doesn’t mean flinging open your windows and losing all the warmth – simply keeping an internal door open is usually enough, or opening a window for a few minutes in between refuelling if you want to use them for longer.
For this reason, our bioethanol fireplaces aren’t suitable for very small or airtight rooms. They’re also not recommended for bedrooms. If your space is on the smaller side, though, consider placing your biofire in an open-plan area or near a doorway that connects to another room. This encourages natural airflow and ensures the flame burns brightly and cleanly. Adding a few plants nearby can also help to refresh the air.
Workaround: Position your bioethanol fire in a well-ventilated space, such as a living room, dining area, or open-plan room.
Helping you embrace bioethanol with confidence
While it’s true that there are a few bioethanol fireplace disadvantages, most are simply about understanding how these fires work, and how to use them safely and efficiently. But the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks: no installation, no smoke, no flue, and no ongoing maintenance.
Visit our FAQ page for more advice on bioethanol fuel efficiency and safety, or get in touch for more information. We’re always on hand to answer all your burning questions about bioethanol fireplaces!
