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A bio-ethanol fireplace:good or bad idea?

A bio-ethanol fireplace:good or bad idea?

A bio-ethanol fireplace is a very modern fireplace that attracts with its practicality and aesthetics. But many people have questions about this product.

It is also completely understandable to want to know if the bio-ethanol fireplace is a good or bad product. This article dissects the pros and cons of the bio-ethanol fireplace to help you better understand the product.

The bio-ethanol fireplace:a fireplace without a chimney

The most important reason why customers choose a bio-ethanol fireplace is quite simple:it requires no flue. Indeed, it is not easy for every house to erect a fireplace in the existing structure of the house. Often the installation becomes complicated and expensive. As a result, customers are looking for alternatives, most often the bio-ethanol fireplace responds to them.

This type of fireplace uses a fuel:ethanol. When burning, there is no smoke, soot or ash produced. Unlike wood-burning stoves, no hazardous particles are emitted and the emissions consist of water, heat and an insignificant amount of carbon dioxide.

Authentic flames but little heat with the bioethanol fireplace

Looking for an alternative to a wood stove or even a gas fireplace usually involves looking to electric fireplaces. Unfortunately, they do not provide real or authentic flames. Fortunately, bioethanol fireplaces are the perfect substitute. We often hear the question:"Are these really real flames?" Yes, these are real flames! The flames vibrate and move slowly as they burn. As they are very real, they also produce heat but in very small quantities. Usually, a bio ethanol fireplace produces around 2-3 kW, which is very little. It is above all a "gadget" to dress up the living room...

Bioethanol fireplaces are easy to install and use

The major advantage is that this bioethanol fireplace stands out for its ease of use and installation. If you purchase a standalone model, no installation is required. The wall units are simply installed on a stand similar to that of flat screen televisions. Slightly more complicated models are built lights.

However, they are still much easier to install than wood or gas fireplaces. Apart from simple installation, ease of use is also considered one of the main advantages of ethanol fireplaces. The fireplaces are simply ignited by filling the burner with bioethanol and igniting with a lighter. The fireplaces can always be extinguished using a lid, and the remaining bioethanol will be stored for the next time.

An open fire is always accompanied by a risk, even for a bioethanol fireplace

The biggest drawback with any fireplace is the open fire. Having an open flame is always a potential risk. Therefore, it is important to strictly follow the user manual provided by the manufacturer. It is also worth finding a safe place for the fireplace. A good location is usually one that does not easily allow direct contact with the fireplace. If you want to install it in a hallway or another place that sees a lot of people, the solution could be to choose a model with a glass cover, or to add a shelf under the fireplace to ensure a safe distance. between people and the flame.

The bioethanol fireplace consumes oxygen like candles

With bioethanol, oxygen is necessary for the flame to live. Just like candles or other open fires, a bio-ethanol fireplace will consume some of the oxygen in the room. By itself, this is not a problem if the space is more than 20 square meters. If the area is smaller, it is important to have a regular flow of fresh air from a VMC or ventilation.

A bio-ethanol fireplace:good or bad idea?

The bioethanol fireplace must be extinguished before refueling

Bioethanol fireplaces cannot burn continuously. Usually they run out after 4-5 hours, after which time they will need to be refueled. If you refuel while the fireplace is still hot, beware of the potential risk of explosion once the fuel is lit. Therefore, it is important to allow the chimney to cool down a bit before recharging it.

Hard to get a bioethanol fireplace demonstration

When you buy a product, it is always useful to be able to give it a try or see a small demonstration before concluding your purchase. Unfortunately, there are not many merchants offering trial of these fireplaces on the market. Therefore, testing the bio-ethanol fireplace before investing in a model is not always easy. That being said, while watching some videos of the actual flames is highly recommended, the footage does not always show the actual flames that the fireplace will actually produce. The best thing is to try to get feedback from people who have a bioethanol fireplace in their homes.