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Outdoor fireplace

What Are the Different Types of Outdoor Fireplaces?

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In short:

Thinking about purchasing a new outdoor fireplace but not sure which one to choose? Wood-burning, gas, electric, bioethanol, chimineas, and fire pits are the main types of outdoor fireplaces in the UK. Each offers different levels of heat, and has different installation and maintenance requirements, so it’s important to understand the pros and cons before making a decision. While traditional options like wood and gas provide a high heat output, bioethanol fireplaces produce real flames without any smoke, mess, or maintenance to worry about – making them an increasingly popular choice for all kinds of outdoor living spaces.

Outdoor bioethanol fireplace

Imagine relaxing in your garden on a balmy summer’s evening with your loved ones, watching the soft glow of flickering flames and feeling real warmth on your skin. 

The right fireplace can completely transform how your space makes you feel, and how often you use it. But with so many outdoor fireplace options to choose from, it can be difficult to know where to begin. In today’s blog, we cover the main types of outdoor fireplaces, and share the pros and cons of each so you can choose the right fire for your outdoor living space. 

Understanding the main outdoor fireplace types

Wood-burning fireplaces

Wood-burning fireplaces are ideal for bringing that traditional, cosy fireside feeling to your outdoor space. Typically built from brick, stone, or metal, they create a natural focal point in your space and deliver that familiar crackle and aroma of real wood.

Pros:

  • Get the smell, sounds, and ambience of real flickering flames

  • Offers strong heat output (5kWh+)

  • Works well in traditional garden designs

Cons:

  • Produces smoke and ash, which can be messy and unpleasant

  • Requires fuel storage and ongoing maintenance

  • Not suitable for smaller gardens or smoke control areas

Where they work best: Large gardens that are set at a distance from neighbouring properties.

Outdoor wood-burning fireplace

Gas fireplaces

Gas fireplaces offer a cleaner alternative to wood and are typically powered by mains gas or LPG. They can be instantly ignited at the click of a button, with adjustable settings for heat and flame strength.

Pros: 

  • Easy to use with instant on/off control

  • No smoke or ash to worry about

  • Consistent heat output (around 3-4kWh)

Cons: 

  • Requires professional installation

  • Fixed into position and cannot be moved

  • Relies on gas, which can be expensive to purchase

Where they work best: Patios and outdoor living areas that have access to a gas supply.

Outdoor gas fireplace

Electric fireplaces

Electric models are one of the easiest outdoor fireplace types to use. They’re designed to simply “plug in and play”, using LED technology to simulate the movement of flames.

Pros:

  • Extremely low maintenance

  • Quick and easy to install

  • No need to purchase any fuel

Cons:

  • Limited heat output (only produces around 2kWh)

  • Requires a power source to operate

  • Doesn’t produce real flames

Where they work best: Covered outdoor areas, such as pergolas or garden rooms. 

Outdoor electric fireplace

Fire pits

Fire pits are one of the most popular outdoor fireplace types, thanks to their versatility and sociable design. They’re available in wood and gas variations, and help to create a central gathering point in your garden.

Pros:

  • Get a 360-degree view of the flames

  • Wide range of styles and sizes available

  • Great for social gatherings

Cons:

  • Wood-burning fire pits produce smoke and ash

  • The heat is less focused and spreads out in all directions 

  • May not be safe to use in smaller gardens

Where they work best: Large, open garden spaces that are designed for entertaining

Outdoor fire pit

Chimineas

A chiminea is a freestanding, front-loading outdoor fireplace traditionally made from clay or metal. It has an enclosed chimney design, which helps to contain the flame and guide the smoke onwards.

Pros:

  • Directs smoke upwards away from seating areas

  • Safer than traditional woodburners as the flame is more contained

  • The compact design makes it ideal for smaller spaces

Cons:

  • Doesn’t produce as much heat as larger fireplaces

  • The opening can limit how many people feel the heat at once

  • More traditional style which may not suit all garden designs

Where they work best: Patios and smaller gardens where you want the atmosphere of real wood-burning flames.

Chiminea

Bioethanol fireplaces

Want all the benefits of real flames without any of the drawbacks? An outdoor bioethanol fireplace could be perfect for you. 

Pros:

  • Experience the joy and ambience of real flames

  • Clean-burning with no smoke or ash to worry about

  • Consistent heat output (around 2kWh)

  • There’s no need for a chimney, flue, or gas connection

  • Easy to install and move around your garden

  • Extremely low maintenance

Cons:

  • They have a lower heat impact when used outdoors

  • You’ll need to refuel after 4-5 hours of burn time

  • Fuel costs can be higher than gas or wood

Where they work best: All types of outdoor living spaces, including smaller patios and smoke control areas.

Chiminea

Choosing the right outdoor fireplace for your space

Still not sure which type of outdoor fireplace to choose? The most important thing to consider is how you want to use your space, and how you want it to feel.

If you want something traditional that produces strong heat, a wood or gas fireplace might appeal to you. If simplicity is your priority, then an electric fire might be your preferred choice. But if you want all the ambience of real flames without stinking of smoke or having to constantly sweep up ash, then a bioethanol fireplace ticks all the boxes.

Explore our range of outdoor bioethanol fireplaces

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. 

  • Do bioethanol fireplaces create smoke or soot?

    Bioethanol fuel burns with 98% efficiency, so when used correctly it is very clean burning and therefore does not produce any smoke, soot or nasty residues. 

    So what does ethanol produce when burned? Nothing more than carbon dioxide and water. You should never observe any smoke or soot coming out of your bioethanol fireplace. 

  • Do bioethanol fires produce heat?

    Are bioethanol fires warm?

    Perhaps surprisingly, this is a very common question that confuses many people!

    While biofires are not intended as a primary heat source for your home, your bioethanol fireplace gives off plenty of heat, with much better fuel efficiency than a wood-burning stove (which loses around 40% of its heat up the chimney). 

    So with our fireplaces you can close off the chimney (with a proprietary chimney sock or similar) and finish off above the fireplace with a piece of fireboard or similar for that added bit of protection.

    Do bioethanol fires give off heat?

    Yes. The real flame provides a cosy atmosphere, but it also produces a comfortable toastiness for your room.

    However, we don’t recommend replacing your central heating system with a bioethanol fireplace as it will not produce enough heat and will be expensive to run. But for supplementary heat, you’ll love the comfortable warmth produced by your bioethanol flame.

    Our fireplaces are ideal for those cooler summer evenings when you don’t want to heat the whole house, just taking the chill off a room and alternatively are also great for that added boost of heat in a room on the colder winter evenings.

    How much heat does a bioethanol fireplace produce in Kilowatts?

    In technical terms, bioethanol fireplaces produce around 3 kilowatts (kW) of heat when the fuel gauge is fully open. 

    To give you an idea of how hot this is, the average electric fire will generate around 2kWh of heat. So, depending on the size of your room, your bioethanol fireplace gives off heat that maintains a comfortable, consistent temperature.

    Wood-burning stoves and open fireplaces generally generate around 5kWh of heat (depending on their size), but this is often too hot for small-to-medium-sized rooms. So, you should find that your bioethanol fireplace gives off plenty of heat, even for deep midwinter. 

    If anything, you may find that a full bioethanol flame is a little too hot for your tastes. Fortunately, the easily adjustable slider on the fuel box will allow you to reduce the strength of the flame as you desire.

    How hot is an ethanol fireplace?

    If you place a wood burner thermometer on a bioethanol fireplace, you’ll find that it hits the temperature considered Best Operation for a wood burner (between 130ºC and 280ºC). At full burn, it reaches around 180ºC, which is plenty to warm a small-to-medium-sized room.

    However, we don't recommend replacing your central heating system with a bioethanol fire - we don't consider it a suitable replacement for your primary heating source. But it is perfect as a top up fireplace or suitable for when you just wish to warm up one room.

    Bioethanol makes a perfect additional heat source, offering a real, warming flame. In a standard-sized room, an average-sized bioethanol fireplace will give off as much heat as an electric heater on a medium-to-high setting.

    We recommend our larger bioethanol fireplaces for big rooms - our customers love our  Marlow fireplace or the freestanding  Globus. Larger fireplaces are capable of producing more heat. 

    Whichever bioethanol fireplace you choose, be assured that you'll get a natural, warming flame that brings a beautiful toasty warmth and cosiness to your room.

    Biofire is an environmentally-friendly heating option

    Bioethanol fuel provides a guilt-free flame — it’s carbon neutral and doesn’t pollute the air or damage the environment. 

    And, of course, with the spiralling price of gas and electricity, bioethanol puts you in control of your heating bills. You can rest assured that you’re using a green energy source that doesn’t pollute or damage the environment. 

    Many of our bioethanol fireplaces are portable, so you can use them outside. However, be aware that your bioethanol fuel is unlikely to last as long in windy conditions. 

    Bioethanol fireplaces are perfect for conservatories because you don’t need a flue or chimney to run your fire safely. Just fill your fireplace with bioethanol, light the flame, and enjoy a toasty warmth without the hassle or mess of burning wood or coal.

  • How long does bioethanol fuel burn for?

    Typically, 1 litre of bioethanol fuel burns for around 3.5 to 4 hours (with the shutter fully open).

    Closing the fuel box lid halfway increases the burn duration, but reduces the heat output and the flame size.  

    How long does ethanol fireplace fuel last in a larger fireplace?

    Larger bioethanol fireplaces (with bigger steel fuel boxes) burn bioethanol fuel at a faster rate than smaller bioethanol fireplaces. Generally speaking, fuel boxes with a smaller opening tend to burn for longer. 

    If burning bioethanol outdoors in windy conditions, the wind will make the fuel burn faster and shorten the total burn time.