Indoor Bioethanol Fires
Bioethanol fires are ideal for indoor use because they don’t produce any harmful gases, soot or smoke. This means that they do not require an expensive or inconvenient flue system to be installed. Another benefit is that they don’t require any utilities to be run to the fireplace, as they don’t require gas, and in most cases also do not require electricity. You simply install them, fill them with fuel and light them. There is also no requirement for any free air in to the room. This is typically your air brick requirement for open gas fires over 6.9kw where you need a permanent opening of 1oocm2 in size. This is to replenish the oxygen that is consumed by the fire. It is important to note that an open gas fire will typically lose 80% of the heat generated up the flue. With a bioethanol fireplace, there is no flue, so all of the heat can be retained in the room. Because of this, the burners in a bioethanol fireplace can be smaller, yet still create more heat than a typical gas fire, and all whilst using less oxygen. Hence not requiring any permanent drafts to replenish the oxygen in the room.
Types of indoor bioethanol fire
There are a number of different styles of bioethanol fire that you can have indoors. One of the popular options is the Hole-in-the-wall Flex range from EcoSmart. These are extremely popular because they produce an incredible flame and are incredibly easy to maintain. In fact, all they need is a dust now and again.
The Flex comprises a bioethanol burner which slots into the accompanying firebox surround. Normally topped off with the included black glass charcoal, you have a wonderful fire with minimum effort. The Flex is a ‘Zero clearance’ model which means that it can be installed within a timber frame construction for ease of installation. All of the safety clearances have been built into the firebox itself. This includes a drip tray as specified within the British Standard BS EN 16647. This is simply there for peace of mind if you were to spill a little fuel whilst refuelling the burner. It simply stops any fuel from dripping down into the wall.
Other alternatives for installing a bioethanol fireplace is to create your own fireplace, or use an existing chamber and use something like the Grate series from EcoSmart. This is a burner that sits within a solid and sturdy base made of Fluid concrete. It has a lovely smooth texture and is finished in subtle graphite. You simply place this into your fireplace and away you go. We do suggest that you close your flue so as to retain the heat and stop breezes blowing the flame around, or debris from dropping into the burner.
You can create raised hearth in which you leave a cut-out that the burner can sit down into. If the raised hearth is watertight, then you can just use the burner, or you can utilise the included Top Tray which forms a watertight second skin to comply with BS EN 16647.
If you don’t have an existing fireplace, and you don’t want a false breast created, we have a number of models that are stand-alone fireplaces where you simply position them where you want them and you are ready for a fire. These fires generally have a glass back and side to support the burner to give a modern floating effect.
The other option would be to have a fire table with a burner installed within it. There are a number of options for this to cover varying budgets. All come with a quality burner and toppings to finish them off in a stylish way. These are the same tables which can be used outside, but with a small addition. When using a fire table indoors, we provide a drip tray. These aren’t required outside, but to meet BS EN 16647, a secondary skin is required for the burner. So that is an option for all of our fire tables.

Safer than wood
Bio-ethanol Fireplace Grates are clean burning. They don’t produce any smoke, soot or flying embers. This makes them safer than wood-burning fireplaces.
Easy to keep clean
Bioethanol Fireplaces don’t leave any carbon residue, so they are incredibly easy to keep clean. Just wipe them down with a damp cloth every now and then.
Convert an existing fireplace in minutes
Transforming an existing wood-burning fire into a clean-burning ethanol fireplace is easy. Simply attach the grate to a level platform with our easy-fitting system and fill it with liquid bio-ethanol. Then sit back and relax.
Warm your home, not the planet
Burning bioethanol doesn’t produce any smoke or dangerous gases, so you can use an EcoSmart Fireplace Grate with or without an operational chimney.
No gas or electricity
All the fuel is housed within the self-contained burner so you don’t have to run pipes or cables though your walls.
Self-contained
Fireplace Grate Series are completely self-contained, which makes them much simpler to install than gas or wood-burning fireplaces. No flashing, roof work or plumbing is required for installation.