Ethanol fireplaces are quickly becoming the one of choice. Although the gel fireplace also uses an alcohol-based fuel that does not require ventilation, bio ethanol fuel provides much more heat.
In the past homes were restricted to basically two types of fireplaces, coal, and wood. In later years with the introduction of cheap natural gas and propane new fuel sourced fireplaces were introduced such as a bio ethanol fireplace insert.
Although gas fireplaces were touted as being cleaner burning than wood fireplaces, they still required a venting system in the form of a chimney. A gas hearth does not produce the sooty black smoke of a wood or coal hearth; and although its smoke is cleaner looking, it does not mean it is less noxious.
Ethanol-fueled heating systems require no ventilation when installed, allowing the installation of an ethanol fireplace to take place anywhere in the house.
What could be more comforting than a warm fire in the cold winter months? Consider a flueless ethanol fireplace, which is a modern fireplace with a lot of style.
Learn about the benefits and drawbacks of amenities like these so you can determine if they’re right for your home or apartment.
Coal Fireplace vs Bio Ethanol Fuel Fireplace
Fireplaces fueled by coal are a rarity today, however some older renovations kept the old stalwart fireplace. Some who still use antique coal-fueled fireplaces have replaced the fuel with an easier to obtain charcoal, which can be purchased in carriable bags.
Wood pellets is also used as a substitute fuel in old coal burning fireplaces and stoves. The difference is stark when comparing this traditional fireplace to the modern ethanol fireplace home hearth.
Coal Fireplaces |
Ethanol Fireplaces |
|
Bulky – Heavy- Dirty Fuel |
Fuel- Easy to Carry – Lightweight-Clean Fuel |
|
Needs Ventilation – A Chimney or Smokestack |
No Ventilation Needed |
|
Regular cleaning and Ash Disposal |
Clean with a damp cloth or mild detergent |
|
Chimney Cleaning at Least Annually |
No Chimney Cleaning |
The coal-fueled fireplace versus an ethanol-fueled fireplace is a night and day difference. Everything about a fireplace being filled with coal says work, while while bio ethanol electric fireplaces say sit back and enjoy.
Wood Fireplace vs Bio Ethanol Fireplace
A fireplace is often depicted as a traditional wood burning fireplace with raging flames and logs crackling with sparks flying. Everything about this picture is what makes the wood burning fireplace a lot of hard work and a hazard.
Unless buying the wood at a price that rises every year and paying to have it stacked and protected from the weather, chopping wood takes many days.
A day’s worth of chopped wood in a regularly used medium wood-fueled fireplace can be burned in hours. There is no doubt that wood-fueled fireplaces are nostalgic, so too is the work to maintain it.
Wood Fireplaces |
Ethanol Fireplaces |
| Fuel – Bulky – Heavy- Dirty- Lots of Work | Fuel- Easy to Carry – Lightweight-Clean |
| Needs Ventilation – A Chimney or Smokestack | No Ventilation Needed |
| Regular Cleaning – Ash Disposal | Clean with a damp cloth or mild detergent |
| Chimney Cleaning at Least Annually | No Chimney Cleaning |
Burning wood in a fireplace causes a buildup of creosote, a residual from the smoke, and ash.
Fire Departments across the USA estimate that over 25,000 chimney fires occur annually, many caused by wood burning fireplaces and the ignition of creosote by sparks rising up the dirty chimney.
An ethanol fireplace has a chimney free option for enjoying the primal ambience and meditative seduction of flames from a steady fire.
Gas Fireplace vs Ethanol Fireplace
As discussed above, the introduction of gas fireplace was advertised as cleaner burning. True, compared to coal fireplaces or wood-fueled ones, however, they still emitted fumes that needed to be vented such as carbon dioxide. Aside from the noxious fumes caused by burning gas, piping in the gas required professional, costly installers.
Natural gas has an inherent volatility, although successfully used in home for cooking, heat, air conditioning and more, the delivery system is not flawless. Pipes decay, rot and require maintenance. A faulty gas pipe can lead to a leak or worse. Faulty gas lines or leaking gas can be catastrophic.
Gas Fireplaces |
Ethanol Fireplaces |
| Fuel-Professional Installation of Gas Lines | Fuel- Easy to Carry – Lightweight-Clean |
| Needs Ventilation – A Chimney or Smokestack | No Ventilation Needed |
| Regular Maintenance of Unit and Gas Lines | Clean with a damp cloth or mild detergent |
| Chimney Cleaning at Least Annually | No Chimney Cleaning |
Gas fireplaces are the forerunner of bio ethanol fireplaces. Used to retrofit older traditional fireplaces in renovations and as a new installation in homes and condos, these environmentally friendly fireplaces overtook coal and wood as a fuel source. Although gas home heaters have advantages over the dirty burning coal and wood versus ethanol fireplace fuel, there is no contest.
Wall Mounted Ethanol Fireplace Advantages vs Other Fireplaces
Ethanol burners that use bio ethanol fireplace fuel can be used almost anywhere in a home, office, cottage, condo, cabin and even boats. Unlike the fireplaces of the past, ethanol-burning fireplaces, the clean burning alternative are flexible, require no venting system and offer a fuel that can be conveniently purchased, carried, stored, and used.
An ethanol fireplace is a ventless fireplace that uses bio ethanol fuel to burn cleanly. Because this fuel is alcohol-based, it produces actual flames and emits no smoke, odor, or harmful chemicals when burned, ethanol fireplaces do not require a specific chimney, vent, or flue and can be erected almost anyplace.
You can install your ethanol fireplace outdoors. You can set up a freestanding ethanol fireplace or a tabletop ethanol fireplace. All you have to do is start the fire, unwind, and immerse yourself in your book. In the brilliance and warmth of your outdoor ethanol fireplace, your friends and family will gather in the backyard to speak, laugh, and share memories.