Bioethanol Fireplace Accessories

Frequently asked questions

• What can you expect when burning imaginfires’ bioethanol fuel?

  When burning imaginfires’ bioethanol fuel, you can expect a stable orange-yellow flame, consistent heat output, and a clean burn with no smoke, soot or ash dirtying your home. You may smell a very faint odour when lighting (similar to lighting a candle), but this quickly disappears once the flame is established – allowing you to enjoy the warmth and atmosphere of real flames without lingering odours.

• Are bioethanol fuel bottles recyclable?

  Yes, all imaginfires bioethanol fuel bottles are made from 100% recyclable plastic. Once empty, both the bottle and cap can be recycled through your normal household recycling, subject to local council guidelines.

• Why can't I see any fuel when I pour it into the fuel box?

  We're very proud of ImaginFire's fuel box. We believe it's a beautiful piece of engineering, with several internal and external sheaths designed to make using and fueling your bioethanol fireplace as simple and safe as possible. 

  Our "No Spill" fuel box conforms to European standards: BS EN 16647:2015, ensuring maximum safety and high manufacturing values. 

  So, when you fill your fuel box with bioethanol fuel, it's quickly absorbed into the inner lining of the steel box, helping prevent spillage if the fireplace is accidentally knocked or moved.

  How much fuel can I pour into the fuel box?

  The fuel box is a sealed unit, so when you pour your bioethanol fuel into the burning aperture, it appears to disappear into the void. 

  You should never see a fuel layer exceeding the MAX level indicator at the bottom of the burning aperture. 

  Our fuel boxes are designed to contain up to 1 litre of fuel. Don't be tempted to add more! One litre of ImaginFires bioethanol should burn in your beautiful bioethanol fireplace for around 3.5 hours with the slider open fully, and up to 5 hours if the slider is partially closed. 

  We sell scented bioethanol fuels as well as a standard low-odour fuel. Our scented fuels are available in Christmas, Vanilla, and Forest aromas

  How is the fuel box constructed? 

  The ImaginFires no-spill fuel box is made of several parts:

  • Outer stainless steel liner — houses the main fuel tank.
  • Stainless steel inner tank — accommodates up to 1L of fuel, made from high-grade stainless steel.
  • Fibrack burning slot — this is the burning aperture, lined with an absorbent material that soaks up the fuel and permits control over the flame and safety from spillages.
  • Lower fascia plate — hand-welded for maximum safety and protection.
  • "Sure Slide' closing plate — designed for optimal flame-size control and shutting off the flame after use.
  • Upper fascia plate — sealing everything together. 

• What is liquid bioethanol fuel?

  Both ethanol and bioethanol are alcohol — basically the same thing. However, bioethanol intended for fuel has an added denaturant that prevents human consumption.

  Bioethanol is made by fermenting the by-products of sugar and starch-bearing plants, such as cereals, sugar beet, maize, soybeans, wheatstraw, and corn, and has been used as a fuel for vehicles and heating systems since 1978. Considered a renewable source, burning bioethanol produces none of the toxic gasses associated with traditional fossil fuels. 

  Bioethanol burns cleanly without producing smoke, soot, or ash. In its liquid form, it leaves no residue, so there’s no cleaning up with a bioethanol fireplace. 

  Is it safe to burn bioethanol inside?

  The bioethanol supplied for bioethanol fireplaces, such as our own-brand ImagiFuel, is entirely safe for indoor fireplaces, which need neither a chimney nor a flue. 

  For this reason, bioethanol is the perfect choice for people who want a real fire but can’t install a chimney — excellent for use in an apartment, flat, or conservatory. You can get the look of a traditional fireplace or a wood-burning stove without all the mess and pollution associated with burning wood or coal. You can even get wall-mounted bioethanol fires that complement modern living spaces perfectly. 

  Can I use gel bioethanol in my biofire?

  There are two types of commercially available bioethanol fuel: gel and liquid. Gel fuels have a thick, waxy consistency and are more often used for outdoor biofires and camping stoves. Gels generally produce smaller flames and don’t burn as powerfully as liquid bioethanol. 

  Gels leave traces of residue after burning, while liquid bioethanol burns completely cleanly, leaving no residue at all. For this reason, never use bioethanol gel in your ImaginFires bioethanol fireplace — it could be dangerous. 

  Is the flame from gel bioethanol different from liquid bioethanol?

  As well as the difference in texture, liquid-based bioethanol produces a more aesthetically pleasing flame than gel-based fuels. Liquid bioethanol produces the same large orange flames as a traditional fire (once the fuel box has warmed up), while gel-based flames tend to remain blue and almost transparent. 

  Never use bioethanol gel in your ImaginFires fireplace. Only use liquid bioethanol approved for indoor use. And savour a safe, beautiful flame that transforms your living space with the unique cosiness of an open fire (without the existential guilt!).

• Where can I buy bioethanol fuel?

  Bioethanol fuel is widely available online and in some DIY stores, varying in price. Generally, we recommend buying your bioethanol in bulk - purchasing single-litre bottles is the most expensive way to stock up.

  Our volatile energy market hasn’t impacted the price of bioethanol. So, buying in bulk gets you the best price for your heating and could save you money compared to gas or electricity.

  Of course, the quality of bioethanol varies significantly, and poor-quality fuel offers shorter burn times and can give off an unpleasant odour.

  Our own-brand bioethanol fuel is called ImagiFuel, and we consider it the best you can get (at a very competitive price). You will receive 10% off the cost of any fuel and accessories when you purchase a fireplace at the same time via our website.

  Does bioethanol fuel smell?

  ImagiFuel bioethanol fuel burns cleanly, with a very low odour while burning. Sometimes, you'll notice a slight chemical smell when the flame goes out — this is typical of all bioethanol fuels. 

  Good quality bioethanol gives off a minimal odour that most people don't notice after using their fireplace a couple of times. However, cheap fuels can produce some unpleasant smells. 

  We also offer a range of scented fuels, with Vanilla, Forest, and Christmas fragrances — offering a delightful, cosy ambience while you heat your room.

  Can I burn anything other than bioethanol in a bioethanol fireplace?

  Please only use high-quality biofuels with at least 96.6% alcohol. 

  Never use any other fuel types, such as wood, paper, or coal in your bioethanol fireplace. These emit smoke, soot, and ash, which require a flue or chimney. 

  Bioethanol fireplaces don’t need an external flue or chimney. It’s entirely safe to burn ethanol indoors (as long as you ensure you stick to safety guidelines). However, you will need some ventilation to prevent stuffiness and let oxygen into the room while burning.

• What is bio ethanol fireplace fuel

  There are 2 main types of bioethanol fuel, gel and liquid.  All of the biofires sold by Imaginfires are designed specifically for use with liquid biofuel only. Gel based biofuels must not be used in any of our biofires. Doing so is dangerous.

  As well as the large difference in textures between gels and liquids, the flame from a liquid based biofire tends to be more aesthetically pleasing than gel based flames. Other things being equal, they tend to be larger and of a more orange colour, and so more aligned with what most people perceive as a natural flame to have in the home that creates that feeling of relaxation and comfort.

• 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.