Home Fireplace: Everything You Should Know About Bioethanol Fires

1. No Smoke

Live fire in a home was only possible recently in wood-burning and gas fireplaces and stoves, which naturally require a chimney or smoke extraction system, as well as various permits and documents. In ordinary city apartments, it is possible to install electric fireplaces without special permission, but these are merely imitations of live fire—a decorative heater (though the heat from such a unit is very real). In the 1970s, an Italian named Giuseppe Lucifora invented a way to bring live flames back into homes without chimneys: safe fireplaces operate on biofuel, producing minimal heat, carbon dioxide, and water. They delight the eye with an enormous variety of stylistic solutions.

2. Safety

Biofuel can come in various forms—dry alcohol tablets, pellets (made from a mixture of peat, sawdust, and bark), or so-called bioethanol (a blend of denatured ethyl alcohol and a small amount of high-purity gasoline). All types of this fuel produce no soot or tar, require no ventilation or extraction: a fireplace using such fuel can be compared to a dozen candles in terms of byproducts.

Bioethanol is the most popular and safest fuel for biofireplaces today, with most units on the market featuring liquid fuel burners. This includes both small portable models and wall-mounted interior elements up to half a wall width. It's clear that all types of biofuel can provide a bright flame for quite a long time, but expect no significant heating from biofireplaces.

3. Mobility

Small portable biofireplaces are also called "bio-candles." The flame in such a "candle" can be fully open or hidden behind fireproof glass of any whimsical shape. They are completely mobile—they can be moved from a shelf to a table, from the bedroom to the living room, or assembled into entire installations from multiple fireplace-lamp units. The main thing is to remember safety procedures: never add fuel to a working unit, and immediately wipe up spilled bioethanol. Also, always read the instruction manual—the requirements may vary depending on the model.

4. Unique Design

Besides table-top bio-candles, there are also floor-standing models—large glass units of various shapes, standing on stone (natural or artificial), wood, or plastic pedestals. Among them, the most popular and fun today are fireplace tables: elegant coffee and side tables with multi-level tops and shelves, plus an integrated glass bowl where the flame burns.

Fireplace shelves, however, are not giving up their position to tables—wall-mounted "aquariums" where flames splash instead of fish can illuminate a room at human height. By the way, such fireplaces are often equipped with remote controls that let you adjust the flame height and intensity. You can place a "flame shelf" lower, cover it with glass, and enjoy the fire instead of TV. A shelf equipped with a biofireplace can easily fit into an open bookcase or among feminine ornaments, figurines, and cute trinkets.

5. Styling Possibilities

You can make a biofireplace look like its distant ancestor—by mounting the unit into a wall and decorating the sides with decorative panels in the style of an old fireplace portal. You can even place a real poker and tongs nearby—why not, as long as children don’t play dangerous games. For lovers of "everything like in a palace," this might be the best option, especially since nostalgic interiors are still trendy.

If you choose not to use decorative panels and reveal the fireplace neatly built into a wall or niche (or even better, a through-opening), you get a high-tech look requiring minimalism, light colors, and clearly simple forms. You can create island or corner structures using biofireplaces and decorate them with artificial pebbles and logs, usually made from ceramics. Not all fireplaces are equipped with glass fire bowls. Therefore, if you want to cover the flame with glass in the future, consider the shape of the pedestal. Curved glass is harder to find than regular straight glass.

Glittering flames of biofireplaces, by the way, look stunning not only in enclosed spaces like apartments or private homes. There are models that can float on the surface of a pool or pond. Biofireplaces for gardens or terraces are also available—these look like garden torches. Moreover, most fireplaces with glass walls work well outdoors. In any setting, live fire affects the observer reliably: it revives, refreshes, energizes, and calms. If you add essential oils to the fuel, you can achieve a pronounced therapeutic effect—provided the oil is not used in excessive amounts. In general, the most important thing about using such fireplaces is to follow instructions and use moderation. Fire in the interior is not a toy but an excellent tool for decoration and comfort.