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.