Best Indoor & Outdoor Ethanol Fireplaces For Modern Warmth
Updated: May 14, 2024
Indoor and outdoor ethanol fireplaces are a beautiful and eco-friendly alternative to burning wood.
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Ethanol fireplaces are designed to burn low-cost alcohols like ethanol and bio-ethanol as fuel. They work by combusting the fuel that’s poured inside a stainless-steel burner, thereby producing real—not fake—flames. “Ethanol fireplaces burn cleanly using a renewable fuel,” says Russ Dimmitt, Director of Education at the Chimney Safety Institute of America. “Because of their clean burning, there is no need for a chimney or vent.”
Factors such as the size of a room and a fireplace’s British Thermal Unit (BTU) output (the higher the better) determine how much heat an ethanol fireplace can give off. However, they don’t typically generate as much warmth as their wood-burning counterparts. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), ethanol fireplaces “are not generally used for heating and are mainly decorative,” so they’re rarely a home’s primary heating source.
Best Recessed Ethanol Fireplace
BioFlame Wall Mounted Bio-Ethanol Fireplace
This BioFlame ethanol fireplace will make any room look elevated. Like all recessed fireplaces, this model is inserted into the wall rather than hung on the outside, so it offers a more finished and customized look. It comes fully assembled so installation should be fairly easy.
Best Freestanding Ethanol Fireplace
Anywhere Fireplace Broadway
The right size to make an impact but small and light enough to place on any flat surface, indoors and out, the Anywhere Fireplace Broadway makes a statement wherever you put it. No hassle. No cleanup. No smoke.
Curl up in a comfy chair or sip a glass of bubbly out on the deck. The Broadway features an ethereal glass frame and a bowed, high-gloss base that provides warmth and ambiance to get you through those gloomy winter months.
Best Wall-Mounted Ethanol Fireplace
Anywhere Fireplace Chelsea Wall Mount Fireplaces
As the name suggests, the gracefully curved Anywhere Fireplace Chelsea Wall Mount Fireplaces can be hung on just about any flat wall in your home without wallpaper or wood paneling.
Create an instantly soothing and cozy atmosphere with one liter (about 34 fluid ounces) of fuel that generates dancing flames for up to five hours. Take your pick from three contemporary finishes: satin black, stainless steel and high-gloss red.
Best Tabletop Ethanol Fireplace
JHY Design Tabletop Fire Bowl
Create a romantic table for two with the JHY Design Tabletop Fire Bowl. The silver metal base with tempered, windproof glass cylinder is just the right size for a centerpiece while dining alfresco. Place it on an end table while cuddling on the couch on a cold night. One Amazon reviewer wrote, “I’m extremely happy with this!! Looks great and I’m shocked at the amount of heat it puts out.”
Best Outdoor Ethanol Fireplace
TerraFlame Bio-ethanol Fireplace
With many of us spending more time entertaining in the open air, adding the TerraFlame Bio-ethanol Fireplace to your backyard living space makes a lot of sense, creating an inviting spot for friends and family to gather. The concrete, modern design of the fireplace is ideal for smaller outdoor spaces such as terraces, balconies or courtyards.
Best Value Ethanol Fireplace
Gel + Ethanol Fire-Places Emily Deluxe Inclusive
The Gel + Ethanol Fire-Places is made in Germany and delivered fully assembled, so all you have to do is stand it up against a wall and prepare to be amazed. It looks and feels like the real thing, mantel and all!
Choose from nine colors and wood stains. The fireplace comes with everything you need to stay toasty all winter long, including three pieces of ceramic wool, a metal stand, three liters of high-performance bio-ethanol, a flame killer and 10 white decorative stones. It’s official: You don’t need a huge budget to realize your dream of owning a fireplace.
What to Consider When Buying an Ethanol Fireplace
Safety is paramount when it comes to any type of fireplace. With ethanol fireplaces, you want to ensure that the place where you install or place them has proper ventilation and airflow. You also only want to purchase high-quality products made from durable materials to avoid anything breaking, malfunctioning or leaking. If you want to take safety a step further, you can also look for models with added safety features such as childproof locks, flame regulators or spill-proof containers.
Next, think about the overall design and style of the fireplace. Ethanol fireplaces tend to look more modern. Select one that fits your space and also fits in with the style and feel of your home. A fire can make a space so cozy you want to ensure it fits seamlessly in your house.
Finally, think about overall efficiency. Yes, ethanol fireplaces are a more efficient option, but you also want to think about how long you will burn for. Find a fireplace that offers efficient fuel consumption to maximize burn time and minimize fuel refills.
Pros
- Requires no installation or venting
- Turns on and off with a switch
- Produces no smoke or rogue embers to scorch floors or carpets
- Bio-ethanol fuels are a renewable energy source
Cons
- Bio-ethanol fuel must be stored in closed containers
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), other gases and particulate matter are released during combustion, so ethanol fireplaces should be placed in well-ventilated spaces
- Risk of fire from spilled flammable liquid fuel—the EPA recommends gel fuel to avoid such accidents
- More expensive to operate than a natural gas or liquid propane-fueled fireplace
Why You Should Trust Us
I have been a culture and lifestyle writer for The Family Handyman for many years. I’ve covered various fire-related review topics, such as the best draft stoppers, screens, fire pits and ethanol fireplaces. I know how to narrow down the best options for shoppers with reliable reviews, useful features and varying price ranges.
I consulted Russ Dimmitt, the Director of Education at the Chimney Safety Institute of America, to help me better understand ethanol fireplaces. Dimmit has nearly three decades in the chimney and venting industry. He educates chimney sweeps and professionals on the latest products, safety protocols and all other aspects of chimneys. Dimmitt knows how to advise homeowners on the best options for them regarding fireplaces because he knows how they work and how they need to be maintained.
How We Found the Best Ethanol Fireplaces
We found the best ethanol fireplaces by researching a wide range of available options, considering factors such as size, style and price point. To help further curate our choices, we analyzed customer reviews to understand each ethanol fireplace’s real-world performance and durability. Finally, we selected ethanol fireplaces that offered a balance of quality, functionality and value, ensuring that there was an option suitable for every shopper.
FAQs
Is an ethanol or electric fireplace better?
One type of fireplace isn’t necessarily better than the other. It all depends on what your needs are. Ethanol fireplaces have a real flame, giving you that cozy fire feeling in your home. They’re also clean burning, easy to install/set up and don’t require venting. Electric fireplaces are convenient to use and turn on by flipping a switch or using a remote. They also produce heat, and many fireplaces allow you to control the temperature. However, electric fireplaces don’t have a real flame and rely on electricity. Look through the options that we’ve gathered for ethanol fireplaces and decide what works best. If you decide that electric is the way to go, here’s a guide on the best electric fireplaces.
How expensive is bioethanol?
The cost of running your ethanol fireplace will depend on how much bioethanol you use (or how long you burn for) and the size of your flame. The cost of bioethanol varies but typically remains under $10 per liter. One liter will give you about four hours of burning time when using a full flame, so if you use your fireplace a lot, it will add up.
The fuel cost is just one aspect to consider when purchasing an ethanol fireplace. Make sure you also take into account the cost of the fireplace itself as well as maintenance.
Do ethanol fireplaces warm up a room?
“An ethanol fireplace provides aesthetic appeal but minimal heat,” shares Dimmitt. Ethanol fireplaces are better suited for small rooms. Also, note that they take a while to heat up (around 15 to 20 minutes), so if you want it to provide a little warmth, be prepared to wait.
Originally Published: July 09, 2021
