Yes. Bioethanol fires burn cleaner than woodburners, and they produce no smoke, soot or harmful emissions. Made from renewable plant-based sources, bioethanol is far greener than coal or wood – and with no chimney needed, there's no wasted heat either.

There are many ways to close off an existing chimney, this is dependent on type, size, materials etc. Your best option would be to speak to a local builder or diy store for help in choosing your particular solution.

When it comes to bioethanol fireplaces, there are various types available to suit different needs and preferences. Here are some of the common types:

Indoor Bioethanol Fireplaces

Indoor bioethanol fireplaces are designed to be used inside the home and provide a clean and smoke-free alternative to traditional fireplaces. They come in a range of designs, including:

• Wall-Mounted Bioethanol Fireplaces: These fireplaces can be installed on the wall, adding a stylish focal point to your living space.
• Freestanding Bioethanol Fireplaces: These standalone units offer flexibility in terms of placement and can be easily moved around as needed.
• Bioethanol Fire Baskets: These are open baskets designed to hold bioethanol fuel and create a mesmerising flame display.

Outdoor Bioethanol Fireplaces

For outdoor spaces, there are bioethanol fireplaces designed for outdoor use. These fireplaces are built to withstand the elements and enhance the outdoor ambiance. They include:

• Outdoor Wall-Mounted Bioethanol Fireplaces: These fireplaces can be mounted on exterior walls, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in outdoor entertaining areas.
• Outdoor Freestanding Bioethanol Fireplaces: These standalone units are designed to be placed on patios, decks, or other outdoor areas to provide heat and a captivating flame.

Wood Burner Style Bioethanol Fireplaces

For those who love the look and feel of a traditional wood-burning fireplace, there are bioethanol fireplaces designed in a wood burner style. These fireplaces mimic the appearance of a wood-burning fire, providing a rustic and classic charm without the need for wood logs or a chimney.

For more information on the different types of bioethanol fireplaces and to explore our range of products, please visit our bioethanol fireplaces page.

Bioethanol fireplaces are mainly designed as a decorative or aesthetically-pleasing item that can enhance the ambiance of a space, whilst offering some additional, supplementary heat from a warming flame.  

What to consider when using a bioethanol fireplace as a heating source?

• Heating capacity: Bioethanol fireplaces generate radiant heat, which can warm up immediate surroundings and create a cosy atmosphere.
• Supplemental use: They are most effective when used as a supplemental heat source in conjunction with other heating methods.
• Ideal for smaller spaces: Bioethanol fireplaces are well-suited for smaller rooms or well-insulated areas where they can make a noticeable difference.

Need more information on using bioethanol fireplaces for heating purposes? Please contact our team today to find out more.

Customers thinking about buying one of our bioethanol fireplaces often ask “How do I Light A Bioethanol fireplace?” It’s such a common question as many customers cannot believe that using a Biofire is as straightforward as we say.

All you need is a fire lighter and some bioethanol fuel. You simply squeeze the biofuel into the fuel box, and light at arms-length! That’s it! You should of course clear away any spilt fuel with a paper towel or cloth before lighting, and if you have any of our ceramic pebbles or logs then don’t position them over the opening of the fuel box.

Once lit, you will get around 3.5 to 4 hours from 1 litre of fuel. If you need to close off the flame before all the biofuel has been used up, it’s just as easy. Simply use the supplied closing tool to pull the shutter on the fuel box over the flame. Should you need to refuel the fireplace, please allow at least 30 minutes or until the fuel box has returned to room temperature.

The only emissions produced from burning bioethanol fuel are heat, water vapour, and carbon dioxide. Burning bioethanol uses oxygen from the air and emits a small amount of carbon dioxide back into the room. You might think that sounds worrying, but a bioethanol fireplace generally releases roughly the same amount of carbon dioxide as two burning candles. So, there’s nothing to worry about. 

Your bioethanol fireplace uses oxygen from the air, so it’s advisable to create some ventilation in your room whenever you burn your fire. Keep your living room door open while burning, or open a window for a few minutes to let some fresh air in if the air becomes stuffy.  

Do bioethanol fireplaces generate more emissions than others?

All fires generate emissions, including carbon dioxide, but wood- and coal-burning releases carcinogenic soot and ash particles into the air. Bioethanol burns cleanly, leaving no soot, ash, or any other residue, so bioethanol fuels are generally considered much safer in the long run.

We recommend buying high-quality bioethanol fuel from a reputable vendor. We sell excellent bioethanol fuel and three scented fuels with vanilla, forest, or Christmas aromas. 

Bioethanol doesn’t create carbon monoxide, a dangerous, poisonous, odourless gas. However, if you’re worried, install a carbon monoxide alarm in the same room as your bioethanol fireplace to set your mind at rest.

Are bioethanol fireplaces safe?

Bioethanol fireplaces produce real flames, so it's important that they should be treated with the same level of caution and safety as any other object that produces flames. Having said this, bioethanol fireplace safety procedures are very easy to follow, meaning that they are suitable for use in most homes.  

To ensure that our customers stay as safe as possible, Imaginfires are constantly updating and improving our biofires. This means that our ethanol fireplace safety features have been tested by a world-renowned testing laboratory to ensure they meet the new British and European safety standard BS EN 16647:2015. Customers can rest assured that we only sell products that we would and have been delighted to install in our own homes.

What makes bioethanol fires safe indoors?

Recent updates include the introduction of a new, patented, ‘no-spill’ fuel box into our freestanding, fire basket and woodburner biofires. This means that the biofuel is quickly absorbed by a special internal absorption feature, reducing the risk of any biofuel spilling out of the fireplace when knocked.

Of course, despite every effort being made to make biofires as safe as possible, there are a few basic safety measures biofire users should always follow. These are all listed in the supplied product manual, but include:

Taking care with biofuel

Biofuel is obviously a flammable substance, so it should be handled with care for maximum ethanol fireplace safety. It is important never to pour biofuel onto a lit or warm fireplace. Rather, users should only refuel the fireplace once it has been turned off and cooled down. 

Before refilling the steel fuel box with the bioethanol fuel, always ensure the fuel box has returned to room temperature (this takes approximately 30 minutes from extinguishing the fire). You should also clean up any biofuel spillages before lighting the fire.

Purchase high-quality fuel

To keep your running costs reasonable and to avoid any potential problems that low quality biofuel could cause, we recommend buying the fuel that is of a high quality and has at least 95% alcohol. This provides the best and longest flame.  

We offer some of the best value biofuel in the market, and our fuel is developed and bottled specifically for Imaginfires biofires. You can read many great Trustpilot reviews we have received from customers for our biofuel.  

There is no right or wrong answer. It's just a matter of personal preference. Some customers like the look of just a few logs in front of the flame, and so the small log set containing 3 logs is ideal. Others prefer the more 'full look' of the large set, which typically contains a mix of 9 logs/cones. A small number of customers prefer a more minimalist aesthetic of no accessories at all. Regardless of what set you choose, please just remember not to put them OVER the opening of the fuel box. Only locate them AROUND the opening.