Does a Bioethanol Fireplace Provide Heat and Other Questions Answered

When talking about fireplaces, we think of wood, but there are also electric and gas fireplaces. But these are not the only options. Is such a solution as a bioethanol fireplace familiar to anyone? If someone has heard about them, there are usually many questions. Does a bioethanol fireplace provide heat? Does it smell? What exactly is a bioethanol fireplace? Let's start with the last one.

What is a bioethanol fireplace?

A bioethanol fireplace uses a liquid – bioethanol. It is produced through a fermentation process from either sugar or starch, which in turn is obtained from sugar cane, beets, fruits or even potatoes! Looking at this list, it's no wonder that no harmful residues are created when it burns, which would need to be vented from living spaces. That's why a bioethanol fireplace doesn't need a chimney!

A bioethanol fireplace is essentially maintenance-free and its use is extremely simple. No need to figure out how to stack wood so the fire lasts or when to open and close various dampers. Plus, there's no need to remove ash or worry about embers falling on the floor. But with all this, does a bioethanol fireplace provide heat?

Does a bioethanol fireplace provide heat?

It's true that a bioethanol fireplace doesn't store heat, meaning it's not suitable as a primary heating method. However, it is warm during burning and a bioethanol fireplace can be a supplement to another heating method. Since bioethanol fireplaces come in many different sizes, the chosen size plays a role in whether a bioethanol fireplace provides heat.

Larger bioethanol fireplaces have a larger flame and since this is real fire after all, it generates quite a bit of heat. A smaller bioethanol fireplace means a smaller flame and a tabletop solution cannot really be considered as a heating source, but rather as part of the interior. So if it matters whether a bioethanol fireplace provides heat, then you need to choose the appropriate model.

Is a bioethanol fireplace really suitable for everywhere?

A bioethanol fireplace is one of the few options to enjoy a real flame in homes where a chimney and therefore a possibility to build a "real" fireplace is lacking. This means you can add a fireplace to an already built house or even to the most ordinary apartment. You can certainly praise the atmosphere and coziness of the fire from a wood-burning stove, but carrying wood and the fact that the house is cold before heating it up is a major drawback.

Even if you use only the driest wood, it's not completely clean burning, meaning a chimney is necessary. A bioethanol fireplace uses bioethanol and it burns without producing smoke. The only things that are released are carbon dioxide and water vapor. Neither of these requires a separate solution to vent, so there's no need to worry about a chimney. That is – the convenience of using a bioethanol fireplace is truly remarkable, as you can enjoy the coziness of a live flame without unnecessary hassle.

Where can I install a bioethanol fireplace?

Bioethanol fireplaces can also be placed outdoors, meaning again the opportunity to make a terrace, balcony or a distant garden corner cozier. But what's even better, you can move the fireplace as you wish. No one is going to rearrange a regular fireplace or carry a heavy cast iron fireplace from one place to another. Compared to these options, a bioethanol fireplace is very easy to relocate.

You don't even have to place a bioethanol fireplace on the floor! The fireplace can be installed on a wall, which opens up many design possibilities. Of course, you need to make sure the wall can support that weight and if necessary, plan for additional support. The smallest bioethanol fireplaces can even be lifted onto a table! Or would you like a model that could be "recessed" into a surface? So the choice really is great. Smaller bioethanol fireplaces suitable for tabletop use can be found for less than a hundred euros.