Best Ethanol Fireplaces: A Definitive Buying Guide 2022

Not all of us have a real fireplace in our homes, and if you are tired of looking at an unrealistic one that doesn’t have any flames or if you don’t have a fireplace and you would really love one, then here’s what makes them such a good option:

• They are ridiculously eco-friendly – In fact, they’re so eco-friendly that they are carbon neutral.
• They are non-toxic  – They produce no smoke, odors, ash, or soot. All they produce is carbon dioxide and water and that’s carbon-neutral carbon dioxide.
• They look natural – Because they produce real flames.
• You can put one anywhere – You don’t need a chimney, flue, or gas/electricity supply.

There are so many on the market to choose from, so we’ve done all the hard work and research for you to help you choose an ethanol fireplace according to which type you need. From an initial 20-plus brands, we’ve narrowed our recommendations down to the top 8 best ones and have picked one for each category. Ultimately, if you don’t have a fireplace, we recommend the Anywhere Fireplace by Chelsea Model.

Top Choice: Anywhere Fireplace – Chelsea Model

For looks, quality and price you can’t beat this one. It will create a beautiful warm and inviting focal point in any room and the stylish curved design creates a nice 3d effect that will give your fireplace a sense of depth. So it won’t look like you just hung a boring flat picture on your wall when it’s not lit.

Now let’s have a look at its heat output:

The Anywhere Fireplace produces between 4,000 and 8,500 BTU per hr.

The manufacturers state that it will heat a room up to 375 square feet – but just bear in mind that in reality, that’s not quite enough to heat a room fully by itself in winter.

That being said with will feel warm to sit by because it does produce feel flames. You will get natural flames that reach a height of approx 7″ – as real flames do. The flames dance just like any other real flames, so they will vary in height.

You can check our table to figure out how much of a difference this fireplace will actually make to heating your room.

What We Like:

• Hang It Anywhere | It’s light and so easy to hang with simple easy-to-follow instructions and all fixings are provided. Just be sure to avoid wood or wallpapered walls. Because, you know, it’s a fire. It gets hot.
• Soft Open Real Flame | You get a nice natural flame the height reaches approx 7″ as real flames do.
• Durable Brushed Stainless Steel Construction |The brushed stainless steel gives it an elegant look without compromising its durability.
• A Choice of Color Options | There’s a black or red option though we should point out they are not stainless steel, they are steel with a satin paint finish.

Cons:

To be honest this could be a pro as much as a con and keep in mind that this isn’t specific to this fireplace.

Bio-ethanol fireplaces, in general, have a low heat output compared to traditional fireplaces. So it’s not going to be effective as your only heat source but when you cozy up next to it you’ll be lovely and warm and it’s at least not going to overheat your room making you too uncomfortable to enjoy watching the flames.

Dimensions:

At 27.5 x 5 x 19 inches it’s not going to swamp your wall but it’s plenty big enough to make an impact and create a lovely focal point in your room.

Highly Recommend: Regal Flame Elite Lenox Ventless Bio Ethanol Recessed or Wall-Mounted Fireplace

If you do choose to hang it, you can hang this fireplace on almost any wall, just remember it will stand out from the wall by 5.7″.

Compared to our previous choice, the Elite Lenox is much more powerful. It easily produces 18,000 BTUs which will comfortably warm a room of 1200 sq. ft.

It runs on three 1.5-liter adjustable burners which produce a natural dancing flame of between 12 and 14 inches. The surround is made from a high-quality 430 stainless steel that won’t rust or corrode and it’s also stain-resistant.

What We Like:

• No Installation Option | You can install/recess this fireplace but you don’t need to. Just remember it will stand out from the wall by 5.7″. You, of course, don’t need an existing chimney or vent of any kind.
• Good Heat Output | Bio ethanol fireplaces are not generally a realistic option to replace your central heating. They give off a gentle heat and are more suitable for creating a realistic flame, as well as an instant decorative focal point without the hassle. However, with an output of 18,000 BTUs, it will easily warm a room of 1200 sq. ft.
• Stainless Steel Construction | So it not only looks beautiful, it’s rust-resistant corrosion-resistant, and, of course, stain-resistant.

Cons:

At maximum capacity, the fuel will last approximately 4-6 hours (depending on the room temperature and climate). 

Ethanol fireplaces cost more to run than traditional fireplaces and because this option has more than one burner will be a little on the fuel-hungry side. You can see the cost estimates in the Bioethanol Fireplaces vs Traditional Fireplaces section below.

Also Great: Regal Flame Avon Ventless Indoor Outdoor Fire Pit

Its simple elegant and ultra-modern style certainly has that wow factor. It’ll create an instant impact and because it’s a tabletop or free-standing ethanol fireplace it will give you maximum versatility for where and how you want to place it.

Place it in an existing open fireplace and it will create an instant natural fire – especially great if your fireplace doesn’t have a suitable chimney, vent, or power supply.

Alternatively, you can place it outside, where it will create a cozy indoor feel to your outdoor space, making it a warm focal point for your patio or pool area.

And that’s what this one is all about – it’s more of a decorative piece than a source of serious heat. At 3,900 BTUs it’s not going to make much difference on a cold winter’s day, but it will give off a gentle warmth. You can get a good idea of how much heat it would give off by looking at the table below.

What we love about the Avon Ventless is that it comes with a tall safety glass panel on each side.

This helps control the flames and protect them from external wind movement.

What’s more, the glass is removable which will give you a lovely natural look if you are planning on placing it in an existing fireplace.

And lastly, the Avon Ventless comes complete with a snuffer/damper to safely put out the flame immediately.

What We Like:

• Zero Installation required | Place it on any sturdy surface and you are good to go.
• Stainless Steel | So it will stay looking good. It’s rust-resistant corrosion-resistant and, of course, stain-resistant.
• Color Options | Prefer a black or white one to match your decor. These are not stainless steel, however, just painted steel.
• Indoor/Outdoors | It’ll make a lovely focal point for your yard or pool area but equally, you can create a beautiful instant fireplace indoors with or without an existing fireplace or suitable wall to hang it on.

Cons:

It’s extremely versatile, you can place it on any stable table or floor but just remember it’s a real fire with glass sides.

Another Worthy Mention: Regal Flame 18″ Ethanol Fireplace Grate Log Set with Burner Insert

If you’d like to convert an existing traditional fireplace into a bioethanol fireplace there are a few nice options that are open to you.

The first one we will look at will be this attractive birch log burning grate set that comes complete with a burner insert.

The log grate is made from high-quality Stainless Steel which is durable, easy to clean, rustproof corrosion-resistant, and stain-resistant.

It comes with a set of 5 lightweight birch logs – designed specifically to fit in the grate. This means they are simple to assemble and will look natural.

The burner insert holds 1.5 liters of fuel, so the fire will burn for up to 6 hrs at full capacity.

Dimensions: 18″W x 4.7″D x 13.4″H

What We Like:

• It’s Portable | You can lift it in and out of the fireplace very easily which makes it very convenient for cleaning.
• Stainless Steel | Made from high-quality Stainless Steel so it’s durable, easy to clean, rustproof corrosion-resistant, and stain-resistant.
• Logs | A set of 5 lightweight birch logs is included in the kit, designed specifically to fit in the grate

Cons:

Because the logs are set quite high over the burner you may have to turn up the setting by making sure the slot is open all the way and of course, the flames will look taller when burned at maximum capacity.

Compared to other burners the heat output of this fire is not too bad at 6,000 BTUs. However, like all bio ethanol fires, it’s not super hot. Check the table if you want to learn more about how much heat you will feel from this fireplace.

Also Great: Regal Flame Ethanol Fireplace Burner Insert 

Although it can stand on any stable surface (the bottom doesn’t get hot), to get the maximum impact from an insert you’re going to want to sink it into a recess, grate, and maybe, if you want a more traditional look, add some ceramic pebbles or ceramic fire logs.

This one has a very sleek, understated, and minimalist style. This means the flames will create a stunning focal point for you – without the design getting in the way.

Though it’s worth pointing out that although the open flame look is more natural and attractive than having a glass panel in front of it, depending on where you want to put it, for example, if wind movement is likely to be an issue, you might be better off going with the Regal Flame Avon Indoor Outdoor Tabletop Fireplace featured above.

Dimensions: The 1.5-liter ethanol fireplace burner insert is 11.8W x 4.9D x 3.2H”

What We Like:

• Built-in Damper/Snuffer | It features a slim metal panel that can be slid over the burner to safely put out the flames. Just use the damper tool, included, to close it.
• Stainless Steel | It’s easy to clean and will always look good because it’s rustproof corrosion-resistant and stain-resistant.
• Perfect for a Recess Surface | You are pretty much limited only by your imagination of how you want to use an insert. Fireplaces, pits, chimeneas, or a large bowl, etc are ideal for use with the Bio Ethanol Fireplace Burner Insert.
• Versatile | It’s portable, suitable for a tabletop, or any already listed above, and can be used indoors or out. Just keep it away from flammable surfaces.
• Good Capacity | The burner insert holds 1.5 liters of fuel, so the fire will burn for up to 6 hrs at full capacity.

Cons:

It looks good on its own but if you’re going to use it in an existing hole-in-the-wall fireplace and you haven’t got a grate to sink it into, you might want to consider the Ignis EBG1200 Grate Insert instead.

Also Great: Ignis EBG1200 Grate Insert

The insert is available either with or without a grate but for instant impact, especially if you don’t have anything to sink a standard insert into, the grate burner really comes into its own as a stand-alone complete design.

Compared with other inserts out there, the 6,000 BTUs that this one puts out is pretty good. The burner holds 1.5 liters of fuel, so the fire will burn for up to 6 hrs at full capacity.

However, you should keep in mind, it’s not going to heat your room as much as a log burner or traditional real fire would.

If you want to get an idea of how much heat you’ll get from this fire see the table below.

That being said, if you have a large fireplace, and want some serious heat, there is an alternate, larger version that puts out a whopping 21,500 BTUs of heat and holds 8 liters of fuel. This is the one shown below.

Let’s take a look at its features.

What We Like:

• Zero Installation | Its neat stand-alone design means no need to disguise the sides. Simply place it in your hole-in-the-wall fireplace and you’ll have an instant real fire in a sleek modern grate.
• Built-in Damper/Snuffer | It features a metal panel that slides over the burner to instantly put out the flames and it comes with a damper tool to close the lid.
• Stainless Steel Burner Insert | It’s easy to clean, rustproof, corrosion-resistant, and stain-resistant. The grate is good quality painted steel.
• Good Capacity | The Ignis EBG1200 version holds 1.5 liters of fuel, so the fire will burn for up to 6 hrs at full capacity.

Budget pick: Regal Flame Indoor Outdoor Eden Ventless

There’s something especially calming about watching real flames and the Eden Fire Bowl is perfect for creating a lovely ambiance in your home or outdoor space.

As you’d expect, it’s more of a decorative piece than a heat source. Having said that 2,000 BTU’s for its size is pretty good. If you’re wondering what 2,000 BTU’s feels like, you can get an idea by looking at the table below.

Dimensions: The Regal Flame Eden Fire Bowl is 6.3″ x 6.3″ x 10.4″.

Let’s take a look at its features:

What We Like:

• Ideal For Repelling Mosquitos | Simply add 15 percent citronella oil to the bio ethanol fuel to keep those mosquitos at bay if you are using the fire bowl outside.
• More Color Options | Good choice of color options to complement your decor. The black and the stainless steel options are shown but this bowl also comes in a vibrant green or blue as well.
• Pebbles Included | Unlike others out there you don’t need to make any additional purchases to complete the look. The kit comes complete with little pebbles.
• Damper Included |To immediately put out the flames, safely. Shown above.
• Good Flame Hight | With an 8 – 12″ flame hight, just like any real fire, it looks impressive and will create a lovely cozy atmosphere.
• Good Burn Time | For its size that is. It’ll burn for about 1 hr when filled to the maximum level.

Cons:

The Glass isn’t thin or poor quality by any means, but be careful not to knock it or it could break.

It’s a little fiddly to set it up. It’s best to add the pebbles after the glass is in place, you just need to take your time adding the pebbles so they don’t fall into the center well.

Check the latest price and color options for the Regal Flame Indoor Outdoor Eden Ventless on Amazon.

Fuel: Regal Flame Prime Ventless Bio Ethanol Fireplace Fuel

The great thing about choosing a bio ethanol fireplace is that the only by-products it gives off are carbon dioxide and water.

It’s completely non-toxic so it goes without saying that you should only use ethanol fuel made specifically for these fireplaces.

Burning anything else could not only be extremely dangerous but could give off toxic fumes.

To give you an idea of how much burn time you’ll get, one bottle is going to burn for about 2 to 4 hrs depending on whether you use a higher or lower flame setting. Weather/air movement conditions will also affect the burn time

Ethanol Fireplaces vs. Traditional Fireplaces

If you love the idea of a traditional fireplace, but were wondering if it would be better to go for a bio ethanol fireplace instead, then let me clear up the pros and cons of each in this handy little comparison section.

Let’s start with appearance.

Appearance

Traditional fireplaces and log-burning stoves can look amazing. They’re natural-looking and produce a lot of heat. Let’s face it, if you like the look of a traditional fireplace then any other similar type of fireplace is just trying to emulate that look.

That said, they do a really good job of that. For example, you can place a burner insert such as the Regal Flame Slim 12″ Insert into a traditional masonry fireplace [click here to scroll to the review above].

The only downside to that is that you will need to disguise the appliance with ceramic fireproof logs or pebbles.

The Ignis EBG1200 Grate Insert comes with a grate included if you don’t have a grate to place an insert into. It will look neat and stylish but with a slightly more modern twist than the rustic look of a traditional fireplace, [click here to scroll to the review above].

The flames that a bioethanol fireplace produces are real and as such they give off a lovely soft orange dancing flame that varies in height from around 3-4″ to 7-12″.

There is, it has to be said, a difference between the fire that a bio ethanol fireplace produces and a traditional real fire in that the bio ethanol fire is emitted from a fairly narrow slot or reservoir.

This does have a tendency to flatten the flames somewhat and of course, limit the surface area and so decreasing the depth of the fire.

However, they tend to have a sleek modern, minimalist design, and as such the flames look natural in their setting.

So how do other types of fireplaces compete?

There’s no doubt that the newest gas fires, depending on how high-end you want to go, can look amazing and pretty natural. The logs or coal pieces are sometimes the only giveaway that the fire is not a natural rustic traditional one.

They do, however, tend to also lack the depth of tradition one and getting a truly authentic look comes with a high price tag.

Electric fireplaces are usually just projections of simulated flames on a backdrop with artificial logs or coals that are lit up from within. They can’t really compete with a real flame. If you want to spend a lot of money, however, then you can get a pretty good simulation of a real fire like this one.

Bio ethanol fireplaces cost much less and for your money, you get a real flame.

Noise

Unlike other types of fireplaces, there is no noise distraction such as the hissing of gas, crackling wood or coal or the sound of an electric heating fan whirling away.

Safety

However pleasant wood smoke smells, it has both short and long term serious health risks. Wood smoke is known to contain toxic compounds such as benzene, formaldehyde, acrolein, and PAHs. Older log-burning stoves in particular release toxic gases and microscopic particles. Many studies have linked these particle levels to health problems such as asthma and bronchitis, and even deaths from heart attacks, strokes, heart and lung disease. Newer models of wood burners should be EPA-certified, but even then EPA say “Today’s wood-burning appliances burn cleaner and produce less smoke inside and outside your home.” Note that’s not, no smoke. There is a list of safety precautions you should follow and you’ll have to be vigilant watching out for darker smoke, or a smoldering fire which is neither safe nor efficient and that’s just to name just two.

Gas fireplaces are generally cleaner burning than traditional or wood-burning fireplaces although they do run the risk of releasing poisonous carbon monoxide. Choosing a bio ethanol fireplace means you don’t have to worry about breathing in any airborne carcinogens. That’s because it doesn’t produce any smoke, ash, soot or any other toxins. What’s more, there are no odors. All it produces is carbon dioxide and water and that’s carbon neutral carbon dioxide.

Bio ethanol fires are non-toxic can’t say that enough.

Cost of Ownership

It is a little more costly to run a bio ethanol fireplace than a gas or electric one.

However, you don’t need any gas or electrical hookups and what’s more: At the end of the month, you’re not going to be shocked by your gas and electricity bill.

Because the fuel comes in liter bottles there are no hidden costs. This means you can see just how much you are using and in fact, one bottle of ethanol fuel will last on average between 2 – 4 hours depending on the flame setting and any external conditions such as wind movement, etc.

Of course, with bio-ethanol fireplaces, no chimneys or vents are required either which cuts down on a lot of hassle.

And you’ve got to consider how much expense this will save you from not having to spend any extra money on setting up a fireplace.

With a bio-ethanol fireplace, you just have the cost of buying the fireplace and its fuel.

Environmental Impact

Fossil fuel fireplaces such as those that use oil, coal, and gas, use non-renewable energy and as such, they have a significant detrimental effect on air pollution, health and the environment in general.

Wood-burning stoves and fireplaces can use a renewable energy source, however, you need to make sure that the wood you use is specifically grown for firewood and is not a product of deforestation.

Even if you use firewood from a renewable source, however, it still will be a significant source of local air pollution, negatively impacting the health of yourself and those around you, as well as the local ecosystem – if you do go for a wood-burning stove you’ll definitely need a good air purifier.

If you’re concerned about looking after our beautiful planet, then a bio-ethanol fireplace is your best choice. They are completely carbon neutral as explained in the previous section and of course, they are non-toxic so a bio-ethanol fireplace will look after your health.

Tabletop Fireplaces vs. Wall Mount Fireplaces

If you are looking to create a cozy focal point in your living space, wall-mount ones look more traditional than tabletop ones.

They are just more natural-looking and simply look like a really good contemporary fireplace. You are also not as likely to trip over them as they’re up on the wall and out of the way so in that respect they are way safer.

You’re not going to be able to move a wall mount one to an outdoor area or between rooms.

Well, you can but only where you have fixings ready and of course, you’d still see the fixings on the wall where you left them. So if you want maximum versatility you might consider a tabletop one.

That said, if you change your living space around you can still change your mind about where you want to hang your wall-mount fireplace. Just remember that you can hang it on any wall, but just be sure to avoid wood or wallpapered walls. Because, you know, it’s a fire. It gets hot.

Tabletop ones are really out there in terms of style and versatility. They are viewable 360 degrees. Which means you, in effect have a double-sided fireplace.

Tabletop ones are suitable for patio, yard, or pool areas and can be placed on any stable surface. They make a lovely decorative focal point for outdoor dining. And they are super cozy to sit by outside on a not-so-warm evening.

Do Bio Ethanol Fireplaces Produce Heat?

BTU stands for British Thermal Unit. You can think of them as “heat units”.

We will take, for example, an average 12 feet x 18 feet room with a 10 feet high ceiling and average insulation. For the desired temperature of around 68 degrees Fahrenheit with no other heating source, here is roughly what you would need in BTU for each climate zone:

CLIMATE ZONE 1	7,000 BTU per hr
CLIMATE ZONE 2	8,000 BTU per hr
CLIMATE ZONE 3	9,300 BTU per hr
CLIMATE ZONE 4	10,000 BTU per hr
CLIMATE ZONE 5	12,000 BTU per hr

Don’t expect a bio-ethanol fireplace of any kind to be super hot but it will feel cozy and warm for anyone sitting by it.

Buying factors to Consider

If you’re undecided as to which type to go for, here is a little guide to help you choose.

Type

If you have an unused traditional fireplace, you can place an insert or insert with grate into the space thereby converting your existing fireplace into a healthy and environmentally friendly fireplace.

If you prefer a more modern, minimalist look, however, and don’t have an existing masonry fireplace but still want your living space to have a natural-looking focal point then a wall-mounted or recessed bio-ethanol fireplace would be ideal.

Larger freestanding or tabletop ones, on the whole, tend to look their best in an outdoor space or conservatory area.

Bioethanol fire bowls are great for indoor and outdoor dining tables and coffee tables etc. and shouldn’t be regarded as a fireplace but as more of a centerpiece.

All the best options are reviewed in detail in the sections above.

Material

Stainless Steel – Each of the fireplaces reviewed in the above sections comes with a stainless steel option. For durability and maintenance, you can’t really go wrong with stainless steel. It’s easy to clean, with a damp cloth. It’s rustproof, corrosion-resistant, stain-resistant, and even pretty much scratch-resistant.

Paint Finished Steel – The finish is durable and tough, not likely to stain, rust, corrode or scratch. However, if it does scratch the scratch will show up more because of the silver steel underneath.

Setup Requirements

You don’t need to install a chimney, vent, or any kind of power supply for a bio ethanol fireplace.

Recess and wall-mounted fireplaces do require some set-up. Recess ones, in particular, may require preparing a hole in the wall to sink the fireplace into. The wall mount ones don’t require much set-up they just need to be mounted onto fixings in the wall.

Tabletop fireplaces require no setup because they don’t need to be attached to anything. You just set them on a stable surface like a table or something. All you have to do is refill them now and then, just like the other bioethanol fireplaces, but with the tabletop ones it’s the only thing you could consider to be a kind of “setup.”

Heat Output

The heat output is generally low and they can rarely be relied on as your sole source of heat.

That said the Bio Flame Grate Kit which gives off 21,500 BTUs is pretty impressive heat-wise.

Alternatively, at 6,000 BTUs per Burner giving you a total of 24,000 BTUs the Xbeauty 66″ Ventless Built-in Recessed Fireplace will easily warm up your living space.

Most others, however, should be considered more as a decorative focal point.

Burn Time

Generally speaking the larger the burner capacity the longer and the hotter the fire will burn. For example, a 1.5 Liter burner will last up to 6 hours, whereas a smaller capacity one such as a 0.5 Liter burner will only last for up to 3 hrs.

Size

The tabletop ones don’t vary in size as much as the wall mount or recessed ones. That is because they tend to have a similar design, consisting of a rectangular burner encased in a base with glass on both the front and back. They often vary in size usually by only a few inches.

The recessed ones reviewed above have more variation in size. The larger the fireplace the more burners you get with it. They come in different shapes too. Some are long and narrow while some are more square-shaped, so there’s a good chance you find the right size to fit your wall.

Wall Mount ones also vary depending on their design. The one reviewed above is 27.5 x 5 x 19″ which doesn’t look too big or too small for its design.

Price

The tabletop, inserts, and fire bowls are inexpensive, coming in at well under the $100 mark. The Ethanol Fireplace Grate Log Set with Burner Insert costs around $200. The wall mount ones are in the next price bracket averaging around $400 and the recessed ones cost anywhere between $100 and $600. The most expensive one mentioned in this article is the Bio Flame Grate Kit. However, at 29.7” long, it is particularly big for its type and may be the best option to place in a larger traditional fireplace to gain maximum heat.

Accessories

You can dress your burners and inserts using decorative ceramic pebbles or logs which are specifically designed to withstand the heat of an ethanol fire. Either choice will give you a softer more natural look than the bare stainless steel top.

Let’s take a look at a few examples.

Pebbles

If you want a decorative clean modern look then pebbles are the way to go. The Regal Flame 24 Piece Set of Light Weight Ceramic Fiber Pebbles comes in 3 different shades. The black (shown) grey and white (shown).

They are easy to arrange and adding more or fewer will change the overall look. They are completely safe and do not produce any ash, fibers or residue into the air.

These pebbles measure 2.3 inches. But you can get larger or smaller sizes. The great thing about them is that they cool quickly.

Logs

If you prefer a more rustic look, there are a variety of realistic-looking ceramic logs.

The Moda Flame 9 PC Petite Ceramic Wood Fireplace Log Set below left includes 6 logs and 3 pine cones. They range in size from 4 inches to 9 inches. Alternatively, for a more burnt look, the Regal Flame 8 Piece Set below right includes 8 life-size logs ranging in size from 5.7 inches to 12.8 inches.

Care and Maintenance

They are pretty easy to set up and maintain and they come with clear easy-to-follow instructions.

They all have a fuel reservoir. Just make sure you never fill it to more than ¾ full and that the fire is off and the fuel reservoir has cooled down for 15 minutes before trying to add more fuel. And of course, thoroughly clean up anything you spill.

When you light the fuel use only an extended lighter.

It goes without saying that you should NOT allow children or pets near the fireplace when it’s burning and the fireplace and fuel should only be handled by adults.

Use only ethanol fuel made specifically for these fireplaces. Don’t try burning anything else it could be extremely dangerous not to mention highly toxic.

You can get it here on Amazon.