Fireplace Inserts

A zero-clearance ethanol fireplace insert is a self-contained bioethanol fire unit designed to drop into a wall cavity or an existing hearth, delivering a real flame without a chimney, flue, gas line or electrical connection. It burns liquid bioethanol fuel cleanly, producing only heat, water vapour and a small amount of CO2, with no smoke, soot, sparks or ash. That clean combustion is what sets it apart from a wood or gas insert, and what allows the unit to sit directly against timber or metal studs.

EcoSmart Fire builds ethanol inserts across three ranges, each suited to a different architectural setting:

• Frame: recessed wall inserts for indoor or outdoor single-sided viewing, built around a Grade 304 stainless steel burner and toughened glass screen.
• Heritage: a contemporary take on the traditional hearth and firebox, designed for classic fireplace openings.
• Grate: drop-in bioethanol grates that convert an existing wood-burning fireplace into a clean-burning fire, suitable for retrofit projects.

All ranges are safety-certified and designed for use in adequately ventilated indoor and outdoor spaces.

EcoSmart Fire bioethanol fireplaces feature true zero-clearance design. At the back and sides, the appliance frame installs directly into wood or metal stud walls with no spacing required between the unit and surrounding combustible materials.

For mantels and surrounds fitted above or beside the unit, specific vertical clearance distances apply. These differ depending on whether the material is combustible or non-combustible; your model's support page provides the exact dimensions and diagrams for your configuration.

Each model specifies a minimum room volume for adequate ventilation. This is an air quality requirement rather than a physical clearance distance. Your product specifications or installer will confirm the threshold for your room.

Before installation, verify your wall cavity dimensions against the product's cut-out specifications to ensure tolerances align.

Yes, a wall-mounted bioethanol fireplace can be installed in a rental property, provided you have written consent from your landlord or property manager.

Bioethanol models have a clear advantage in the rental context: no gas line, no flue, and no electrical connection are required. The fireplace runs entirely from bottled fuel, so there is no permanent utility infrastructure to negotiate. This removes the primary obstacles that would make a gas or wood-burning installation impractical or impossible in most rental agreements.

Installation does involve physical wall work. A recessed model requires a framed wall cavity; a surface-mounted model requires anchor fixings. Both create modifications that most tenancy agreements require prior landlord approval for. Obtain that consent in writing before any work begins.

Yes, ethanol fireplace inserts are straightforward to install compared to traditional fireplaces. Unlike wood-burning or gas fireplaces, there's no flue, gas line, or electricity connection required, which eliminates most of the structural and trade complexity. The zero-clearance technology means the appliance mounts directly against standard timber framing without additional wall spacing, giving you genuine flexibility in placement.

The installation typically follows three phases: build the framework to the specified opening dimensions, slide the appliance into the cavity and secure with standard screws, then complete your wall panelling and finishes. Single-sided inserts follow a 10-step sequence, from framework construction through media positioning, while fire pit kits simplify to 6 steps. Basic tools suffice: a power drill, screwdriver, and level. Models range from 25.7 kg [56.5 lbs] to 222.1 kg [488.6 lbs], and heavier units benefit from a second pair of hands, though no specialist trades or custom engineering is needed.

Flexibility is where ethanol fireplace inserts stand apart. Zero-clearance installation removes traditional constraints, so you can incorporate the fireplace at any renovation stage: before wall lining, mid-construction, or even as a retrofit into existing openings. Your finishing materials (marble, timber, concrete, or custom millwork) can be chosen independently, and the appliance fits into interior walls, under cabinetry, or recessed niches. After installation, fill with e-NRG bioethanol, ensure adequate room ventilation, and test the ignition.

Minimum footprints by range:

• Frame (surface-mounted, zero clearance): 746 mm x 798 mm, 403 mm deep
• Flex (recessed cavity): 488 mm wide x 730 mm tall, 365 mm deep
• Heritage (hearth alcove): 860 mm wide x 910 mm tall, 539 mm deep

The maximum width available in EcoSmart Fire wall-mounted fireplaces is approximately 4,232 mm [166.5 in], with a viewing area of approximately 4,031 mm [158.7 in], achieved in the Flex range's largest single-sided configuration. This makes it the widest wall-mounted option in the EcoSmart Fire portfolio.

The Flex range spans 12 sizes, starting from approximately 457 mm [18 in], giving you flexibility to scale from compact living spaces to dramatic feature walls. The Heritage range offers three compact sizes up to approximately 1,422 mm [56 in], suited to apartments and smaller interiors. The Frame range provides four size options within the 600–1,500 mm series for architectural installations.

Because EcoSmart Fire fireplaces use bioethanol fuel, they require no flue or chimney. This ventless design eliminates the structural constraints that limit traditional fireplaces, enabling you to specify truly expansive widths without engineering challenges. All sizes are engineered as zero-clearance, true built-in constructions and meet international safety standards including UL 1370, EN 16647, and ACCC certification.

For exact dimension specifications across all ranges, visit the EcoSmart Fire website or speak with a design specialist to confirm availability and lead times for your specific project requirements.

EcoSmart’s fireplace inserts are mostly used for new construction when an entirely new fireplace is desired for a given space. They are not designed for the conversion or remodelling of an existing masonry or gas fireplace but could be used if the dimensions align.

To convert an existing fireplace we recommend using our fireplace grates or ethanol burners as noted above.

Ensure that the flue has been closed off and the relevant suppliers have officially detached all connections to utilities.

Recessed installation of EcoSmart Fire bioethanol fireplaces follows a straightforward three-phase process.

Construct your wall cavity to the specified cut-out dimensions, slide the appliance into the opening so the base sits securely on 50 × 100 mm [2×4 in] framing, then secure it via the mounting hole flanges using a power drill and screwdriver. Remove the transport brackets, complete your wall panelling around the insert, and the fireplace is ready for operation: no venting, no gas line, no electrician required.

The absence of utility connections is what makes recessed installation possible in spaces where traditional fireplaces cannot go: interior feature walls, under-window niches, between built-in cabinetry.

Framing above the appliance must be self-supporting, and the toughened glass windscreen slides into place before the decorative charcoal spreads around the appliance tray. Most installations are completed within an hour.

EcoSmart Fire trade specialists are available to review your design drawings at no cost and provide technical support throughout installation. Compliance with UL 1370 and EN 16647 standards ensures your installation meets all relevant safety requirements.

EcoSmart Fire wall-mounted fireplaces are engineered for integration into most wall constructions, though the backing material and clearances matter. Suitable substrates include brick, stone, plastered masonry, fire-rated plasterboard, tile, and concrete. Stud walls work when lined with fire-rated plasterboard and hollow-wall anchors; fabric and wallpaper directly behind the unit must be avoided.

Recessed installations require non-combustible cavity backing, such as vermiculite board, fibre cement, or steel framing lined with fire board, to maintain safe operating temperatures. The Flex Series is purpose-built for architect-led recessed integration and uses specified mounting brackets and spacers to create the necessary air gap for heat distribution.

Installation details vary by model, so the manufacturer's installation manual governs clearances to combustibles and any structural considerations.

Zero-clearance construction gives a bioethanol fireplace insert genuine freedom at the face: marble, timber, concrete, and custom millwork all sit flush against the unit frame with no side or rear spacing required. The surround becomes a material decision, not a compliance one.

Approved face finishes include honed or book-matched marble, figured timber veneers, poured or board-formed concrete, and bespoke joinery. Tile, plastered masonry, brick, and natural stone work as substrate and typically as finish too, with non-combustible backing behind the cavity (EcoSmart Fire specifies vermiculite board, fibre cement, or steel framing lined with fire board). Matte surfaces like raked plaster or fluted stone read the flame as warm and painterly; reflective finishes like polished marble or blackened steel double the fire visually and throw light deeper into the room.

The only real constraint sits above the unit. EcoSmart Fire's installation guidelines specify a minimum of 600 mm [23.6 in] from the flame for non-combustible mantels or shelves, and at least 1,500 mm [59.1 in] for combustible materials including timber mantels, ceilings, joinery returns, and curtains. Everything beside and behind the firebox is yours to specify.

For retrofit projects, the wall finish can be reworked later without damaging the insert or the surrounding structure, which keeps the surround a live design decision rather than a permanent commitment.