A clear UK demonstration of how to use and fill a bioethanol fire safely. This guide draws on "How to use a bio ethanol fireplace - Bio Fires", from the Bio Fires Online channel. It walks through the filling process, ignition, adjustment, and the correct extinguishing procedure.
1. Choose the right type of fire for your space
There are three main types: freestanding fires that sit on the floor, wall-mounted fires, and insert models that fit into an existing fireplace opening. For most UK living rooms, a wall-mounted or freestanding model is the most practical. Wall-mounted units keep the floor clear and look clean, but need a solid wall and enough clearance from shelves or curtains above.
Check the heat output against your room size. A 1kW burner will take the chill off a small room. A larger open-plan space will need 2kW or more, often from a bigger burner box or multiple burners in one unit.
2. Plan the position carefully
Before you fix anything to a wall or choose a spot on the floor, think through the clearances. Bioethanol fires produce real flames and real heat. The manufacturer's instructions will specify minimum distances from walls, ceilings, curtains, furniture, and anything that could catch.
As a general guide: nothing combustible within 600mm to the sides, at least 800mm of clearance above the flame, and the fire should never sit beneath a shelf or inside a closed alcove. An open or semi-open space works best.
3. Check ventilation
Bioethanol burns cleanly and produces no smoke, but it does consume oxygen and release a small amount of water vapour and carbon dioxide. Good ventilation matters. In a well-sealed modern house, opening a window slightly while the fire is lit is a sensible precaution, especially in a smaller room.
Do not use a bioethanol fire in a room with no ventilation at all, or in a very small space like a bathroom or a box room. A carbon monoxide alarm is always worth having in any room where you burn fuel, whatever the type.
4. Mount a wall-mounted fire
Wall-mounted fires come with a bracket or fixing plate. Mark out the position at the correct height (check clearances above the burner, not just the frame), use a stud finder to locate solid fixing points or use appropriate wall anchors for masonry, and fix the bracket level.
Most models hang on the bracket once fixed; some bolt through the wall. Either way, follow the manufacturer's own instructions for the fixing method. If the wall is hollow board over a timber frame, fix into the studs rather than just the board.
5. Fill the burner correctly
Use only bioethanol fuel specifically rated for indoor use, generally sold as 96-97% denatured ethanol. Do not use methylated spirits or any other fuel. Fill the burner reservoir when the fire is cold and not recently lit - never top up a warm burner, and never pour fuel while it is alight.
Fill only to the level marked in the instructions, usually around two-thirds full. Overfilling increases the risk of spillage, which can cause a flare-up. Wipe up any spills before lighting and leave the filler cap off for a minute to let any vapour clear.
6. Light and operate the fire
Use a long-reach lighter or a dedicated ignition rod rather than a standard lighter or a match. Hold the flame near the burner opening and the fire should catch within a second or two. If it does not light on the first try, wait 30 seconds before trying again to let any accumulated vapour disperse.
Many bioethanol fires have a slider or damper to control the flame height. Start on a lower setting while you get used to the unit. The burner will be warm to the touch - do not touch the frame or burner surround once the fire has been running.
7. Extinguishing the fire
Use the snuffer or closing tool that comes with the fire, not water or a damp cloth. The tool slides over the burner opening to cut off the oxygen supply. Leave it in place until the burner has cooled before opening the lid again.
Do not leave the fire unattended and never let it burn overnight. The fuel tank on a typical 1.5 litre burner will last around 3-5 hours depending on the flame setting.
When to call a handyman
Wall-mounting a bioethanol fire involves drilling into masonry or finding solid fixing points in a stud wall, which some people are not confident with. Richard can fit the bracket securely and make sure the clearances are right before the fire goes up. He can also help build or adapt a fireplace surround to house a bioethanol insert.
Help fitting a fire in Sandwich or East Kent?
The Sandwich Handyman can wall-mount bioethanol fires and help with fitting fireplace surrounds across Sandwich, Deal, Ramsgate, and the surrounding villages.
Contact Richard