Understanding Bioethanol Fireplace Fuel Efficiency

Bioethanol fires have quickly become the modern fireplace of choice, and it’s easy to see why. Rather than relying on wood or gas, which release harmful greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, they run on bioethanol fuel: a clean, renewable energy source made from natural plant materials. The result is a bright, authentic flame that warms your space without soot, ash, or the need for a chimney.

But it’s not just about looks. Understanding how bioethanol burns and how to use it effectively is key to maximising both heat output and efficiency. 

Here’s everything you need to know about bioethanol fireplace fuel efficiency, including how long bioethanol burns for, what influences burn time, and how to get the most from every drop of fuel.

How long does bioethanol fuel burn for?

One of the most common questions we’re asked is: how long does bioethanol fuel actually last? The answer all depends on a few key factors, including the size of your fireplace, the flame setting, the surrounding temperature, and the quality of the fuel you’re using.

All our bioethanol fires are engineered for optimum performance. One litre of bioethanol usually burns for around 3.5-4 hours with the shutter fully open. You can increase the fuel duration to 4.5-5 hours by closing the fuel box lid halfway, but this will reduce the heat output and flame size. 

It’s also worth noting that the environment can have an impact on burn time. If you’re burning bioethanol outdoors in windy conditions, the wind will make the fuel burn faster.

All our biofires are flueless, meaning that nearly 100% of the generated heat will stay within your room rather than escaping through a chimney. This makes bioethanol fireplaces extremely efficient compared to woodburners or gas fires, where as much as 40% of heat can be lost up the flue. 

Types of bioethanol fuel and how they affect consumption

Not all bioethanol fuels are created equal, and the type and quality of the fuel you use has a direct impact on your fire’s fuel consumption and overall efficiency. Here are the different types of bioethanol fuels:

Liquid bioethanol fuel

Liquid bioethanol is the clean-burning fuel that all our fireplaces run on. It has a thin consistency and burns completely cleanly, producing bright orange flames that look just like a traditional fire. It leaves no residue or soot behind, making it completely safe for indoor use. 

Gel bioethanol fuel

Gel fuels, on the other hand, have a thicker, waxy texture and are typically used outdoors or in camping stoves. They produce smaller, less powerful flames that can appear bluish or almost transparent. Gels also leave a sticky residue after burning, which can damage your fireplace and reduce its efficiency. For this reason, you should never use gel fuel in your imaginfires biofire.

Quality and burn time

But it’s not just the type of fuel that can affect the burn time, it’s also the quality of fuel. Poor-quality liquid fuel burns quicker and can give off an unpleasant odour. 

Our own-brand fuel at imaginfires is made from high grade ingredients to give you the maximum burn time of four hours. We offer both low odour and scented versions (vanilla, forest, and Christmas scents) of our liquid bioethanol fuel, so you can choose the fuel that best matches your ambience.

How to maximise bioethanol fireplace fuel efficiency

Follow these simple steps to get the most out of every drop of your bioethanol fuel:

• Choose fuel that’s compatible with your fireplace. Our fires are compatible with liquid fuel only, so avoid gel or other fuel types. 

• Store your bioethanol fuel correctly. Keep your fuel bottles in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or naked flames to preserve its quality and maximise fuel consumption.

• Whilst many of our customers are pleasantly surprised by the level of heat our biofires produce, and find that for most of the year they are enough by themselves, they are actually designed to be used as a supplementary heat source. So make sure you still use your main source of heating for the rest of the house.

• Place your fireplace in a location where the heat will circulate and make sure there is no furniture nearby.

• Ensure good ventilation by opening a window slightly or keeping an internal door ajar. A little fresh air will help the flame to burn steadily. 

• Do not overfill the fuel box. Too much fuel can produce a larger flame than necessary and waste fuel. All our fuel boxes have a ‘max level’ indicator which you should never fill beyond.

• Clean the fuel box and surrounding area regularly to avoid the build-up of residue. Read our dedicated blog post on bioethanol fireplace maintenance for more information.

Your complete bioethanol fireplace package

We offer a complete biofire collection that brings together everything you need to enjoy the beauty and warmth of real flame living. Simply choose your favourite bioethanol fireplace design, add your accessories, and stock up on our low odour fuel for a clean and efficient burn every time!