We're all familiar with wood or gas fireplaces. They're a well-known choice that many people have in their homes. But there's a new kid in town and it's called ethanol fire pit. This is a rising star in the heating industry and it's becoming more and more popular each day. These firepits are the perfect combination of simplicity, elegance, functionality and beauty. They come in many shapes and sizes and can make any space look and feel cosy and welcoming.
What are Ethanol Fireplaces?
This type of fireplace uses ethanol as its fire source. It’s an alcohol-based substance that’s also known as methylated spirits. It’s relatively new on the market and not many people are familiar with it. This is a renewable energy source that emits a smokeless, clean form of heat. This is very important because it doesn’t leave any carbon footprint.
This type of heating doesn’t require flues, pipes, utility connections or chimneys. Plus you can install them in places where a regular fireplace can’t go. This convenient and modern ethanol fire bowl creates an amazing ambience with real flames without the smoke, odour, soot or emissions. They’re also easy to install and you have a big variety of designs to choose from.
Types of Ethanol Fireplaces
Ethanol fireplaces come in many shapes, forms and designs. They can be installed indoors or outdoors. They can also be manual or automatic. The main types are freestanding, tabletop, wall mounted and recessed, insert and standalone burners.
Freestanding
The freestanding fireplace is one of the most portable types, you can move it inside and outside the house whenever you like. They’re not restrained to one area or attached to another object like the wall-mounted ones are. Keep in mind that they need some space around them. Put them at an appropriate distance from other objects so they don’t cause damage or even a fire. Follow the instructions of the manufacturer and you’ll be safe.
These fireplaces can look like a wood-burning stove or have a contemporary and modern look. The stove model looks very realistic in terms of the flame it produces because they’re real. They can be a bit pricier than the others, but it’s worth the investment.
Tabletop
Tabletop fireplaces are smaller than the rest and are meant to be set on flat surfaces such as tabletops. Because of their size, these fireplaces have a smaller fuel tank, won’t bur very long and will have a smaller heat output. But even though they’re small, they still produce real flames.
You can find them in many colours, designs, sizes and shapes such as oval, rectangular round and square. Tabletop fireplaces are great if you’re on a budget because they’re the cheapest option. They oftentimes have glass panels on 2 sides so you can have an amazing view of the flames.
Wall-Mounted
Wall-mounted fireplaces are meant to be installed on walls. They’re very convenient for smaller spaces where you need all of the flooring to move around. The heater won’t get in the way because it’s above ground level. Some of them can even be recessed. This means they can be installed inside the wall for a flusher look.
These fireplaces usually have a sleek, curved design and look very modern. They can also have other shapes and even be three-sided. You can try to install it on your own but it’s a better idea if you call a professional to do the job. Be mindful when choosing the wall because uninstalling and reinstalling it can cost you more time and money.
Burners
This is a simple, standalone heater that’s just a metal container on its own. Similar to a single fuel box of a fireplace. Burners are usually bigger, but you can find smaller ones as well if you don’t have the space. Homeowners install them below the entertainment system, TVs or in the centre of the room as part of the furniture. They have the power to make the space look much more elegant and sophisticated.
Fireplace Inserts
These inserts are mainly used within an existing ethanol fire bowl or chimney breasts. Homeowners also place it into an existing empty fireplace. Instead of chopping and burning wood and having smoke all over the place, you can simply put the insert there. You don’t even have to have the chimney open because they don’t produce any smoke or smell.
Benefits of Ethanol Fireplaces
Easy to Install
Compared to gas heaters, ethanol fire pits are much easier to install. You can do it on your own or hire a professional if you’re not sure what to do. This goes only for the wall-mounted ones. For the rest, you’ll just need to unpack the fireplace, place it into the spot you want and turn it on. It’s very quick and simple and you can soon enjoy some flames and warmth.
Budget-Friendly
Installing a gas fire pit or making a wood-fired one can be very expensive. They cost more and you’ll need to hire a professional to do it. That’s not the case with ethanol fireplaces. All need to buy is the firepit itself and cartons of ethanol fuel. This type of fuel is affordable and lasts for a long time. You can also buy it online and have it delivered to your doorstep. When it comes to future servicing, these firepits require none. They’re made of stainless steel and you can wash them with hot water and soap.
Portable
These fire pits give you a lot of freedom and versatility. They’re 100% portable and you can move them from the backyard to the living room and vice versa. They’re lightweight even in their biggest size and don’t have any pipes and cords to hold them down. This way you can easily transfer them from one place to another.
Eco-Friendly
This is a very important benefit in this world of mass pollution and global warming. Ethanol is one of the cleanest fuel types you can burn. It’s a great way to reduce pollution. Ethanol is made of plant by-products such as corn, rice, sugar cane and sometimes grapes. It doesn’t produce harmful pollutants and it’s a clean and eco-friendly choice for a firepit.
Cleaning and Maintenance
These fireplaces need little to no maintenance and cleaning. When they need it, it’s always something simple and easy to do. Whenever you see black residue on or around the burner, it’s time to clean it. The first step is to make sure the fireplace is off, emptied of ethanol and cooled down. Never clean a full tank that’s still hot. Once you establish everything’s okay, spray it with a multipurpose cleaner.
Take a clean soft cloth and wipe it like you would any surface. If you notice that anything has fallen inside the burner, take the vacuum cleaner and remove it because it can cause damage to the burner. If you notice a strange smell coming from the burner, take it out and wash it with some soapy water. Make sure it’s completely dry before returning it to the fire bowl.
