The charm of a traditional fireplace, without the

smoke

mess

cost

Frequently asked questions

• Can bioethanol fireplaces be used in a traditional fireplace insert?

  Yes, you can safely use a bioethanol insert for a Victorian fireplace with the right modifications and professional guidance. This modern conversion lets you enjoy the charm of a period fireplace without smoke, soot, or chimney maintenance.

  Converting a Victorian fireplace using a bioethanol insert creates a clean, eco-friendly heating solution that preserves the traditional look while eliminating the need for wood or gas. Here are some important considerations:

  How to Convert a Victorian Fireplace for Bioethanol Use

  • Consult a Professional: It is crucial to consult with a professional fireplace installer or technician who specialises in bioethanol fireplace conversions. They will assess the feasibility of the conversion, ensure compliance with local regulations, and address any safety concerns.
  • Ventilation and Chimney Compatibility: Adequate ventilation is essential when using a bioethanol fireplace. The chimney and flue of the traditional fireplace should be properly inspected and modified, if necessary, to accommodate the different ventilation requirements of a bioethanol fireplace.
  • Firebox Conversion: The existing firebox of the traditional fireplace insert may need to be modified to accommodate a bioethanol burner. This can involve removing or adapting the existing grate and ashpan to create space for the bioethanol burner.
  • Safety Features: Bioethanol fireplaces should be equipped with safety features such as flame snuffers and fuel spillage prevention mechanisms. These features help enhance safety and control potential risks associated with the use of bioethanol fuel.
  • Regular Maintenance: Proper maintenance and cleaning of the bioethanol fireplace and chimney are crucial for safe and efficient operation. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for regular maintenance tasks, such as cleaning the burner and checking for any signs of wear or damage.

  If you are considering converting your traditional fireplace into a bioethanol fireplace, it is important to consult a professional fireplace installer who can guide you through the process and ensure compliance with safety regulations. 

  For more information on bioethanol fireplaces and related topics, you can explore our blog section, which provides valuable insights and helpful guidelines for fireplace conversions, bioethanol fireplace inserts and maintenance.

  Please note that each installation is unique, and it is important to follow the advice and recommendations of professionals who can assess your specific fireplace and provide personalised guidance for a successful conversion.

• Will a bioethanol fireplace trigger my smoke alarm?

  High-quality bioethanol fuel burns cleanly, meaning it doesn’t produce smoke, ash, soot, or any mess. So, as long as you use your bioethanol fireplace in line with our safety guidance, it won’t produce smoke and — therefore — won’t set off your smoke alarm. 

  As long as you burn bioethanol approved for use in bioethanol fireplaces, it’s completely safe to burn in the home as a heat source. 

  Will my bioethanol fireplace trigger my carbon monoxide alarm?

  As long as you burn bioethanol approved for indoor use, such as ImagiFuel, you can be safe knowing that your fire won’t produce carbon monoxide. 

  And while burning bioethanol fuel produces some carbon dioxide, it’s only the same amount as you’d create from burning two candles. You’ll find that your houseplants thrive because they absorb carbon dioxide from the air to help them photosynthesise.

  Bioethanol uses oxygen in the air to complete combustion, so we recommend opening an internal door while burning to maximise oxygen flow. If the room feels stuffy, open a window for a couple of minutes to encourage airflow. 

  However, some customers install carbon monoxide alarms in the same room as their biofire for peace of mind. 

  Some tips for safe bioethanol fuel use

  Your bioethanol fireplace won’t produce smoke. 

  So, if you do spot smoke coming from your fireplace, we recommend you check:

  • Nothing has fallen into the fuel box, such as paper or anything else flammable (apart from bioethanol fuel).
  • You’re using a high-grade bioethanol fuel specifically manufactured for bioethanol fireplaces. Never use gels, fragrance oils, or other non-approved fuels in your biofire. However, we supply scented bioethanol if you want a pleasant ambient aroma. 
  • Nothing is obstructing or restricting the burn area of your fuel box. Keep all accessories, such as ceramic logs and stones, away from the burning aperture — this could affect combustion quality. 
  • All accessories placed inside or on top of your biofire are designed for exposure to heat and flame. All ImaginFires accessories are suitable for use inside the burning chamber, but we are aware that other inferior products have triggered smoke alarms. Remove any non-approved accessory if your smoke alarm sounds. 

• Can you put a TV above a bioethanol fireplace?

  Yes. Bioethanol fireplaces produce no smoke, soot, or mess — so there\’s no danger of smoke damage to your TV.  You\’ll see that many of our biofire customers have made a lovely feature of their biofire and TV together.  

  Some simple tips on positioning a TV above a Biofire: 

  We recommend leaving at least 45cm between the top of your biofire and your wall-mounted TV. Biofires don\’t get as hot as wood- or coal-burning stoves, but installing your TV too close to the heat could damage your television. 

  Use one of the closed top biofires, such as all of those in our woodburner style range (link). 

  Dont put any TV leads or cables behind the biofire. They could heat up and get damaged. If you absolutely need to put cables behind a biofire…make sure they are covered in a heatproof cable guards/conduits. 

  Can I use a stovetop fan to distribute the heat from my biofire?

  Stovetop fans are inexpensive and powered by thermoelectric energy (the heat of the fire converted into electricity), your stovetop fan has neither cables nor batteries.

  The fan sits on top of your bioethanol fireplace and distributes the heat into the room (rather than permitting it to rise directly to the ceiling).  

  Stovetop fans are almost silent, and the blades start spinning when the fireplace heats up. 

  However, we get very mixed reviews on how good a job these stovetop fans do in distributing heat around the room. It depends on the fan itself, the size of room, the levels of ventilation etc.  We dont have especially high expectations for these fans to significantly improve heat distribution, but they do have their \‘fans\’ (sorry!)

  Will smoke from my bioethanol fireplace damage my TV?

  Bioethanol should never produce any smoke — it\’s a clean-burning fuel that produces carbon dioxide and a trace of water vapour — never any smoke. 

  If your bioethanol fireplace is smoking, close the slider and extinguish the flames immediately. Open your windows to ventilate the space. 

  Check that nothing has fallen into the fuel box that could be causing the flames to smoke. Small pieces of paper, hair, or debris could cause smoke. 

  Always make sure the burning aperture is clear of any obstructions. 

  What type of bioethanol fireplace is best with a wall-mounted TV?

  All of our beautiful fireplaces can be installed underneath a TV. Just ensure you leave at least 45cm between the top of the fire and the TV set. 

  However, we recommend — for extra safety — installing a closed-top biofire underneath your TV sets, such as our wall-mounted Marlow or our stunning woodburner-style biofires .

• What is the running cost of a bio ethanol fireplace?

  The cost of running your bioethanol fireplace depends entirely on the amount you use it and the size of the flame you demand for your burn. 

  Unlike gas, there are no standing charges for bioethanol — you purchase your bioethanol fuel as and when you need it. And unlike coal and wood-burners, no additional supplies are required, such as kindling, firelighters, and chimney sweeps.

  The cost of bioethanol fuel is more stable than gas, wood, and coal 

  We’re living through particularly volatile times in terms of fuel prices, with gas and electricity skyrocketing, affecting the prices of almost every other commodity, including the cost of wood and coal. However, the price of bioethanol fuel has remained relatively stable, meaning that bioethanol is a very competitive option. 

  How much does 1 litre of bioethanol fuel cost (and how long does it last)?

  You can pay as much as £7 for a single litre of bioethanol fuel, which should last around 4 hours of burning on full. All of our bioethanol fireplaces have slider control, which reduces the size of the flame — in turn, reducing the heat output. So, if you reduce the output by 50%, your litre of fuel will last considerably longer. 

  Buying bioethanol fuel in bulk reduces the costs considerably. For example, 12 bottles of ImagiFuel currently cost £44.99, which makes it £3.75 per litre. 

  So, if your litre burns for 4 hours, it costs 94p an hour. 

  For a direct comparison, check out our article comparing the cost of burning bioethanol fuel against wood and gas — you’ll find bioethanol very competitive.