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Ethanol Fireplaces
Create an instant talking point
Because bioethanol is clean-burning, EcoSmart Fire models do not need a chimney or a flue, or a utility connection – offering the ultimate in design simplicity and flexibility.
Whether you're creating a custom fireplace feature, renovating an existing fireplace, or looking for an out-of-the-box solution, we have an ethanol fireplace to suit your needs.
Ethanol Ranges
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Environmentally-friendly
Fuelled by eco-friendly, readily available renewable energy – e-NRG bioethanol.
No flue, no chimney
Bioethanol is clean burning so you don't need to flue out any harmful emissions or install costly ventilation systems.
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Architectural feature
Bioethanol’s lively dancing flame creates a striking focal point for interior designers.
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Design versatility
Easily integrated into bespoke settings – from specially-made cabinetry, media units, walls, floating timber to stone benches and pillars.
The perfect fit
The streamlined design of the products synchronises effortlessly within award-winning architectural projects.
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Ventless design
No venting required so ethanol fireplaces fit apartments, renovations, and compact spaces.
Supplemental heating
Add cozy zone warmth with modern fire features to complement your primary heating system.
Powered by e-NRG
Premium liquid fuel engineered for clean, consistent flames with low odour and zero smoke.
Related Collections
Learn More
Ethanol Fireplaces
Bioethanol Fireplaces
Ventless Fireplaces
FAQ's
Can ventless fireplaces be used as a primary heat source?
Ventless bioethanol fireplaces from EcoSmart Fire are designed as supplemental, not primary, heat sources, delivering 2–4 kW for zone-specific warmth.
An XL900 burner generates 4 kW and heats approximately 60 m² [646 ft²] effectively. EcoSmart Fire's closed-combustion design retains 100% of generated heat within the room, unlike vented gas systems that lose up to 30% through flues, making every kilowatt of output directly useful.
Because combustion draws on room oxygen, adequate room ventilation is required during operation; EcoSmart Fire specifies minimum room volumes for each fireplace to maintain indoor air quality. This design is intentionally optimised for room-scale supplemental heating rather than whole-home continuous output. For whole-home heating, a dedicated primary system remains essential. For creating focal-point warmth in a living room, study, or outdoor entertaining space, EcoSmart Fire fireplaces deliver meaningful, design-forward heat with a fuel consumption rate as low as 0.31 L/h for smaller burners.
Are bioethanol fireplaces suitable for passive houses or airtight homes?
Bioethanol fireplaces are compatible with passive house design, but only with specific room volume conditions met. Their key advantage for passive houses is the absence of a flue, which eliminates thermal bridging through the building envelope. There's no chimney penetration, no structural compromise, and no requirement for mechanical combustion air ducts, aligning perfectly with the design discipline.
The limiting factor is oxygen availability. Bioethanol burners require a minimum air exchange rate of 5.7 m³ [200 ft³] per 1,000 BTU/hour of appliance output. Translated to room volume: a smaller burner (around 4 kW) requires a minimum room volume of 110 m³ [3,885 ft³], whilst a larger burner (13 kW) requires approximately 330 m³ [11,654 ft³].
In a sealed passive house, you have two options to meet this requirement: open a window by 25.4 mm [1 in], or keep interior doors to adjacent rooms open to increase the effective ventilation space. This integration is straightforward: the window crack doesn't compromise the airtight envelope significantly, and the air exchange happens passively through the gap. If your burner volume is modest and your spaces connect openly, the solution is practically invisible.
Avoid installing bioethanol fireplaces in isolated bathrooms or small bedrooms, where room volume is too constrained. For living areas sized to passive house standards, the product works well. Consider your burner size against your room dimensions before specification; the engineering team at EcoSmart Fire can confirm room-volume compatibility for your exact installation.
Can ethanol fireplaces be used outdoors?
Yes. EcoSmart Fire offers dedicated outdoor fireplace categories: fire tables, fire pits, and insert-style units, all rated for outdoor use. These are engineered with weather-resistant materials: mild steel with zinc-sealed high-temperature powder coating, 304-grade stainless steel burners, and toughened glass screens. Fire tables feature handcrafted Fluid Concrete surrounds or Grade A teak; fire pits use weather-resistant Fluid Concrete construction.
To install safely outdoors, follow these clearance guidelines:
- 2,000 mm [78.7 in] clearance overhead
- 600 mm [23.6 in] clearance from fixed objects (walls, fences, railings)
- Level, non-combustible surface (stone, concrete, pavers; not grass or artificial turf)
- 12.5 mm [0.5 in] air gap beneath the unit, typically via articulating feet
Because bioethanol produces no sparks, embers, or ash, the units are safe for timber decks when proper clearances are maintained. They're suitable for year-round entertaining. Simply keep burners clean every 50 litres of fuel, and use an All-Season Cover (600D Oxford fabric with UV coating) for storage.
What are the pros and cons of ventless fireplaces?
Ventless bioethanol fireplaces deliver room-vented performance without any of the infrastructure traditional installations require. There is no chimney, flue, or gas line, and combustion is clean, producing no smoke, soot, or ash. The gains are real: heat stays in the room rather than escaping through a flue, and the fireplace can be positioned almost anywhere, from apartments to open-plan living spaces. Managing the trade-offs is equally clear. Bioethanol combustion consumes oxygen, so the room must meet manufacturer-specified minimum volumes, and ventilation needs to remain adequate during use. These fireplaces are designed for supplemental heating, not as a primary heat source, and they require ongoing refuelling since no fuel line connects them. For spaces where a traditional fireplace is impractical, the room-vented ventless format offers genuine design freedom. The cost of that freedom is active fuel management and attention to room conditions during operation, both of which are clearly outlined in EcoSmart Fire's product documentation and third-party certified safety standards.
How do ethanol fireplaces work?
Ethanol fireplaces work by burning bioethanol fuel, a clean-burning renewable alcohol made from fermenting plant sugars, in a self-contained, stainless-steel burner. When you ignite the fuel with a lighting rod, it combusts at the fuel surface, producing heat, water vapour, and minimal CO₂; there's no smoke, soot, or ash.
The real innovation is in flame stabilisation. EcoSmart Fire burners use physical regulators, including steel wool in compact models like the AB3 and baffle inserts in larger burners, to control fuel evaporation and distribute the flame evenly. This not only stabilises the flame but optimises fuel efficiency, extending burn times to 7–13 hours depending on burner size and capacity.
Shutting down is equally straightforward. A slider or hinge mechanism closes off oxygen, extinguishing the flame in seconds without any residual smoke or smell. Because combustion requires no flue, chimney, or gas line, ethanol fireplaces are truly ventless; the burner stays sealed until you're ready to refuel.
This combination of clean combustion chemistry and elegant mechanical control is what makes ethanol fireplaces such a flexible heating and ambience solution.
Are there any building codes or regulations for ventless fireplaces?
As a room-vented design, ventless bioethanol fireplaces are regulated under product safety standards (UL 1370, EN 16647, ACCC) rather than traditional building codes that govern gas or wood-burning installations. EcoSmart Fire ventless fireplaces meet these safety standards and require no chimney, gas lines, or electrical hookups, which eliminates many code compliance complexities. Because bioethanol combustion produces no smoke or harmful emissions, ventless fireplaces bypass venting and structural requirements that apply to conventional fireplaces.
Regulations do vary by jurisdiction, so we recommend consulting your local building authority during the design phase to confirm any region-specific requirements for your project. Key installation specifications, such as 600 mm [23.6 in] clearance from combustibles and adequate room volume (typically 40–110 m³ for most residential models), are designed to ensure safe operation and are integrated into all EcoSmart Fire product documentation.
The ventless design simplifies the approval process because it eliminates the need for multiple trades (gas fitting, electrical, ventilation) and their associated code pathways. This makes ventless fireplaces particularly practical for retrofits, multi-residential applications, and properties where traditional fireplaces aren't viable.
How long does it take to assemble an ethanol fireplace?
Setting up an EcoSmart Fire bioethanol fireplace is quick and straightforward, with timelines varying by product type.
Freestanding fireplaces require the least time: simply unpack and position them in your desired location. No tools or assembly. This takes minutes.
Insert models, including the Flex range, involve basic assembly of the firebox and burner frame. The Flex Single Sided, for example, includes ten assembly steps: frame construction, mounting, burner placement, glass panel installation, windscreen, and media arrangement. With basic hand tools (power drill, screwdriver, level), most people complete this work in 30 to 45 minutes.
Fire Pit Kits follow a similar pattern. The six core assembly steps (frame assembly, burner installation, connections, ignition test, fuel fill, and safety verification) typically take 45 minutes to an hour for someone working with basic tools.
Heritage and Grate models, designed to retrofit into existing traditional fireplace openings, skip frame assembly entirely: unpack and insert into the opening.
The longest part of any installation is usually not the appliance assembly itself, but preparing the installation space. Selecting placement, confirming clearance compliance with your model's safety requirements, and finishing any surrounding cabinetry or surrounds are the variable factors.
How do you troubleshoot a bioethanol fireplace that will not ignite?
A bioethanol fireplace that won't ignite is almost always a quick self-fix. The most common cause is moisture in the reservoir, especially after rain or humid weather, where even a small amount of water dilutes the ethanol and prevents the flame from catching.
Work through these checks in order:
- Drain and dry the reservoir. Empty any contaminated fuel, wipe the burner interior clean, allow it to dry completely, then refill with fresh e-NRG bioethanol. Water contamination is a common cause, not a product defect.
- Check the fuel level. Top up above the minimum line. The adjustable flame and overall burn time are directly linked to fuel volume.
- Confirm the burner opening is fully open. The slider or hinge must be in the open position before you ignite. A partially closed opening will stop the flame catching.
- Use only e-NRG bioethanol. Other fuels can fail to ignite or produce a weak, unstable flame.
- Allow for cold conditions. In cool ambient temperatures, the burner may need a second or third ignition attempt as it warms.
- Clear any debris. Foreign material in the burner blocks ignition and can cause an odour. Clean with hot soapy water, dry thoroughly, and refill.
Always ignite using the supplied lighting rod. Allow the 60-minute cool-down to pass before attempting to relight a recently extinguished burner.
How do you light a bioethanol fireplace safely?
An EcoSmart Fire bioethanol fireplace with an adjustable flame lights reliably when a few consistent habits are followed. Confirm the room volume suits the burner, move the sealed fuel container at least 5 metres [16.4 ft] away before ignition, and stay with the fire throughout. Once the burner is filled to the marked line, the lighting rod lets you ignite from a safe distance. Expect a brief blue flame and a faint scent for the first few minutes; within around 20 minutes, the flame settles into a full, dancing orange.
- Match the burner to the room. Minimum room volumes range from 40 m³ to 330 m³, depending on output. The XL900 burner, for example, calls for 110 m³ [3,885 ft³]. A ventilated space within spec keeps combustion clean and the adjustable flame predictable.
- Keep a clear zone around the unit. Nothing on or above the open burner during operation, and pets and small children supervised by an adult.
- Never refuel a hot burner. Wait at least 60 minutes after extinguishing so residual vapours disperse, and the burner cools fully.
- Stay present. A bioethanol fireplace is a live flame that rewards attentive ownership; keep it in sight for the full burn session.
EcoSmart Fire burners are tested to UL 1370, EN 16647 BSI, and the ACCC Safety Mandate, with a flame arrestor and standard accessories (jerry can, lighting rod, fire lighter) designed around these habits.
Do ethanol fireplaces require professional installation?
No, EcoSmart Fire ethanol fireplaces don't require professional installation for most homeowners and builders. Freestanding units need no tools beyond included accessories; built-in models require only basic hand tools (power drill, screwdriver, level) and a non-combustible framing structure that's self-supporting.
Most installations complete in under an hour to a day, depending on whether you're placing a freestanding unit on a level surface or custom-framing a built-in model. Zero-clearance construction eliminates the structural complexity of traditional fireplaces, with no chimney engineering, no gas line coordination, and no specialist trades required.
If you're converting from an existing gas fireplace, arrange professional gas disconnection before installation begins. This is a straightforward, one-time safety step completed by a qualified technician.
For complex custom cabinetry, load-bearing integrations, or commercial projects, engaging a builder familiar with fireproof materials ensures optimal results and code compliance across jurisdictions. The EcoSmart Fire installation guides and instructional videos included with every purchase walk you through the process step by step.








