Bio Ethanol
All the beauty of a solid fuel fire, without any of the hassle.

What is it?
Bio Ethanol, biofuel, ethanol... it goes by many names, but, put simply, Bio Ethanol is a renewable energy source made by fermenting the sugar and starch components of plant by-products using yeast. At Fireplace World, we call it Bio Ethanol.
Where does it come from?
Today, bio ethanol fuel is predominantly made from sugarcane and crops like grain, however it can also be made from corn, potatoes, milk, rice, beetroot and even grapes, bananas and dates.
What are the benefits?
Sustainability
Bio ethanol is a completely sustainable fuel. As it is made from plant matter, it produces extremely clean emissions: in fact, when it burns, it only produces heat, steam and carbon dioxide.
Versatility
As a fireplace, it really is an attractive proposition - it doesn’t require a flue or a chimney, nor does it need a gas or electric connection, making it a truly versatile option for the modern home.
Maintenance
Because it produces no waste product, bio ethanol burners don’t get filled with ash nor do they get particularly dirty. The stainless steel burners can simply be wiped with a damp cloth, or any non-abrasive household cleaner you would normally use on stainless steel.
So what does it look like?
Although it is sustainable and clean, bit ethanol is still a fuel. This means that the flame produced is a completely natural flame - as any gas or solid fuel fire is. When you initially light your bio ethanol fire it will burn with a blue flame as it burns off the fumes, and this gives way to a beautifully orange flame after a minute or so.
How hot is it?
The heat output from a bio ethanol burner will depend on the size of the aperture, the size of the burner and the amount of fuel. As a rough guide, you can expect anything up to 3kW of heat output in a standard size burner that is fully filled and fully open.
How long does it burn for?
Again, this will vary product to product and depends largely on the size of burner and size of aperture. You can expect a 1.5 litre burner to burn for between 4 - 5.5 hours depending on the size of aperture.
Is it safe?
Yes.
Bio ethanol fires are completely safe when operated with common sense and according to the instruction manual. Although they produce a real flame, the only waste products are carbon dioxide and steam.
Our Range
Bio ethanol fires come in many shapes and sizes, and at Fireplace World we try to carry a mix to keep everyone happy! See below for a brief description of the different types we do:
Fires & Burners
1.5l Bio Ethanol Burner Tray At the heart of every bio ethanol fire or fireplace, there is a burner tray. Put simply, these trays are the bits that hold the fuel, and produce the flame. We have two sizes of burners available: 1.5 litres, and 3 litres, along with a range of fires that provide simple yet effective decoration around the tray.
Wall Mounted
The Cuadro Wall Mounted Bio Ethanol Fire At the heart of every bio ethanol fire or fireplace, there is a burner tray. Put simply, these trays are the bits that hold the fuel, and produce the flame. We have two sizes of burners available: 1.5 litres, and 3 litres, along with a range of fires that provide simple yet effective decoration around the tray.
Fireplace Suites
The Geo Bio Ethanol Fireplace Suite At the heart of every bio ethanol fire or fireplace, there is a burner tray. Put simply, these trays are the bits that hold the fuel, and produce the flame. We have two sizes of burners available: 1.5 litres, and 3 litres, along with a range of fires that provide simple yet effective decoration around the tray.
Accessories
Bio Ethanol Accessories At the heart of every bio ethanol fire or fireplace, there is a burner tray. Put simply, these trays are the bits that hold the fuel, and produce the flame. We have two sizes of burners available: 1.5 litres, and 3 litres, along with a range of fires that provide simple yet effective decoration around the tray.
How do I use it?
Using bio ethanol fires is a straight forward process:
  1. Open the burner tray using the control tool supplied
  2. Fill with fuel - making sure you fill no higher than the "max fill" line
  3. Light the flame using a long stem lighter (best practise when lighting a bio ethanol burner is to hold the lighter horizontally, and light the burner at the very side of the opening)
  4. Once the fire is lit leave it fully open for the first few minutes until the flame turn orange
  5. Then control the heat and intensity by opening and closing the aperture using the control tool as required
  6. To extinguish the fire, simply close the opening completely using the control tool
Safety Information
Minimum Room Size
Each bio ethanol fire has a minimum room size that they are suitable for use with. This is to do with the carbon dioxide that’s produced, as it’s important that the area is well ventilated enough to prevent a build up. Always check the product specifications and instruction manual if you are unsure.
Real Flame
It might sound obvious, but a bio ethanol fire does burn with a real flame, which can burn. We recommend keeping a bio ethanol fire out of the reach of children and pets at all times.
Fireplace Screens
The majority of the larger fireplaces we supply come with glass screens. We recommend using these at all times to minimise the risk of injury.
Fireproof Mat
The burner tray will get hot during operation. We recommend using a fireproof and heat resistant mat at all times when using a bio ethanol fire.
Long Stem Lighter
When lighting a bio ethanol fire, keep in mind that you are lighting a highly flammable liquid fuel, which can ignite very rapidly. Do not hold all or part of your hand in the burner tray when lighting otherwise you are at risk of injury. Always use a long stem lighter that will allow you to keep your hand well away.
Fire Extinguisher
As when you are using any other form of fire that produces a real flame, you should keep a suitable fire extinguisher on hand at all times.
Do Not Tip
Bio ethanol is a liquid that can spill. Do not tip the burner at any time, as this can cause spillages that carry the risk of fire.
Drippage
When filling the bio ethanol burner with fuel, take extra care not to let any fuel drip onto the sides of the burner. If fuel has dripped, then this can ignite when lighting the fire and carries the risk of fire.