Biofuel Forest (12 pack)

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!).

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.

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.

Simply squeeze the fuel out of the bottle and into the fuel box. You can then sit back and enjoy the benefits of your bioethanol fireplace. But for how long exactly? 

So, how long does bio ethanol fuel burn in a biofire?

On average, a litre of our bioethanol fuel will last between three and a half to four hours, and sometimes longer. The exact time depends on a wide number of issues, including the amount of natural ventilation in the room, the type of biofuel being used, the prevailing room temperature and the extent to which you open the steel fuel box slider.  When the slider is opened fully, fuel will be used at a faster rate than when it is only opened halfway.

Type of fuel box

Burning time (per litre)

Half open

4 to 5 hours (sometimes more)

Fully open

Around 4 hours

How long does bioethanol fuel last comparatively in both large and small biofires?

All of our fireplaces have our patented 1 litre fuel boxes with an adjustable slider so you can choose to reduce the size of the hole the flame comes out of, which will in turn make the fuel last longer.

Can I overfill my bio ethanol fuel box to burn for longer?

Never overfill your bioethanol fuel box. This can cause leakage across the top of the fuel box, which could present a fire risk. 

Always ensure that the fuel box has cooled down before you add more bioethanol. Never add more fuel when the fuel box is actively burning or still warm — the fuel could ignite as you pour, which could be extremely dangerous. 

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.

How can I find the cheapest bio fuel?

Biofuel is widely available to buy from various outlets. However, we strongly recommend purchasing your fuel from Imaginfires. We provide fuel at an affordable price that you can rest assured will burn at an excellent rate. 

Some of the cheapest brands out there often produce a strong unpleasant smell when burning, and often come in unwieldy containers prone to spillage.  We strongly recommend you only use biofuel that is specifically for bioethanol fireplaces and has at least 96% alcohol content. 

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. 

Potential Reasons Bioethanol Fireplace Sets Off Smoke Alarm

In the unlikely event that your smoke or carbon monoxide alarm is triggered whilst using a biofire, please in the first instance always stop using the biofire and check the following:

• That no stray household debris has accidentally fallen into the fuel box and is thus being burned and emitting smoke. Please wait for the biofire to return to room temperature before checking!
• That you are using high grade bioethanol fuel specifically developed for bioethanol fireplaces.  Do not use any biofuel that does not clearly state it is formulated for use in bioethanol fireplaces. Also ensure it is at least 96% alcohol as this gives the cleanest and longest usage time.
• That there are no restrictions to the ethanol fuel burning fully and cleanly. In particular, never cover the opening of the fuelbox with any accessories or other obstructions. This may change the quality of the combustion of the fuel.  
• That any accessories used on or inside the bio fire have been designed specifically for use in biofires. Whilst we recommend you only use accessories available through our website, we are aware that other products are available and have caused the triggering of some smoke/fire alarms.

Bioethanol fuel has a fairly neutral smell when lit — some people claim that there’s no smell at all, but you will notice a mild, but not unpleasant, odour when you first light your bioethanol fireplace. Some people describe the smell as mildly “coconutty”, while others compare the scent to a burning candle. 

Either way, you get used to the mild odour very quickly — literally going “nose-blind” to it after a short period. You don’t get any of the charred wood smell of an open fire — the odour is much less noticeable than a real fire. 

High-quality bioethanol for low odour

Of course, it depends on the quality of the fuel you choose to burn — if you buy cheap bioethanol, there may be a more noticeable smell. We recommend reading the reviews before purchasing any bioethanol fuel.

Our own-brand range, ImagiFuel, has a particularly low odour. We even sell scented biofuel with Vanilla, Forest, or Christmas aromas that pleasantly boost the cosiness of your room while you heat it. 

What’s that smell when I light my biofire?

The first time you light your brand new biofire, you may notice a mild chemical like scent — don’t panic, this is normal as your fuel box “beds in”. 

This smell is harmless and will disappear after you’ve lit your fire a couple of times. 

What’s that smell when my biofire goes out?

High-quality bioethanol fuel emits very little-to-no odour while it’s burning, but you may notice a slight chemical tang to the air when the flames go out. This is normal and nothing to worry about. You may detect the same smell when you close the fuel box slider to snuff out the flame. 

This smell will be noticeable when you first start using your bioethanol fireplace, but you get used to it after a couple of burns. You’ll hardly notice it after a while. If anything, it leaves a clean smell in the air, similar to when you have a new sofa delivered. 

Bioethanol fuel uses oxygen in the air to combust and emits a small amount of water vapour and a little carbon dioxide (about the same amount as burning two candles). There’s none of the charred, burning smell of open fires or wood burners. 

Properly storing your bioethanol fuel bottles is essential to maintain their quality and safety.

Proper storage practices for bioethanol fuel bottles

• Proper storage environment: Store the bioethanol fuel bottles in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. This stable environment helps preserve the fuel's quality.
• Secure storage: Ensure the fuel bottles are stored in a location inaccessible to children and pets. This precaution prevents accidental contact and potential accidents.
• Tight sealing: Always securely seal the bioethanol fuel bottles after use to prevent evaporation and leakage. This also reduces the risk of spills during storage or transportation.
• Checking expiry date: Regularly check the expiration date of the bioethanol fuel and avoid using any that have passed the specified date. Using expired fuel can compromise burning efficiency and safety.
• Responsible disposal: When a bioethanol fuel bottle is empty or expired, adhere to regulations for proper disposal. Check with the manufacturer’s recommendations and your local waste management facility to follow appropriate guidelines.

By adhering to these recommended storage practices, you ensure the longevity and safety of your bioethanol fireplace setup.

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.