Best Ethanol Fireplaces of 2021 Reviewed

Once a necessity for keeping warm during a cold, winter night, fireplaces are often seen as little more than luxuries today. That said, they can still provide plenty of comfort and ambiance, but traditional wood-burning fireplaces require firewood, plenty of maintenance, and are not exactly the most eco friendly.

That is why we put together a list of the 5 best ethanol fireplaces, highlighting what each one does best. We also answer some of the more pressing questions regarding an ethanol fireplace, so you can feel comfortable and make an informed decision.

Best Ethanol Fireplaces of 2021

The 5 bioethanol fireplaces chosen offer a wide range of different specs and capabilities to suit any situation you might have. Whether you want something that looks sharp with a sleek modern design and glass panels or something small enough and freestanding to fit in your dining room, our list has a model for you.

Best Insert: Ignis EB1200 Bio Ethanol Ventless Fireplace Burner Insert

Though it is not the oldest, Ignis is still one of the more experienced companies on our list and the only one to specialize exclusively in ethanol fireplaces. That said, this is one of the few products we reviewed which does not come as a “finished” product and requires a spot for you to place it.

While this means you need to consider ahead of time where you plan to insert it, it also provides flexibility in terms of its housing or position. Still, this is one of the more impressive smaller options we encountered with a 6000 BTU output that is not only enough to heat a room but is more than most free-standing models too.

In terms of its performance, the Ignis EB1200 ethanol fireplace also scores high marks for being an inexpensive option- especially since its heat is functional beyond aesthetic. One thing to keep in mind is that this ethanol fireplace insert does not come with protective glass panels, so be careful where you position it.

On the other hand, you do not need to worry about the Ignis EB1200’s durability thanks to the use of 304 stainless steel fabricated into 3 mm double walls. Even better, this ethanol fireplace boasts a 1 ½ L reservoir which provides the longest potential burn time on our list ranging from 5 to 9 hours.

Best Mounted: Regal Flame Fargo Ventless Built In Bio Ethanol Recessed Wall Mounted Fireplace

Out of all the companies on our list, few have the experience and specialty that Regal Flame provides- though this aspect shows up in both good and bad ways. In terms of the good, Regal Flame’s more than decade-long experience affords them the ability to construct a high-quality mounted ethanol fireplace.

Unlike the insert fireplace we saw, this ethanol fireplace replaces a traditional fireplace altogether and offers one of the more stable installations that we encountered. On top of that, the Regal Flame Fargo ethanol fireplace also works better for heating than the competition thanks to a list-leading 12000 BTU output.

As if that were not enough, this ethanol fireplace also boasts one of the longest burn times we found at 4 to 6 hours, allowing you to warm a room of up to 850 sq ft. You also do not have to worry about durability as the Regal Flame Fargo ethanol fireplace is made out of 430 stainless steel.

Another quality exclusive to this model compared to the others we reviewed is the inclusion of 2 separate burners which provides you a bit more control in terms of the heat and ambiance. That said, the Regal Flame Fargo ethanol fireplace is a bit more complicated to install, though it at least includes all of the necessary hardware.

Best Living Room: Anywhere Fireplace Lexington Table Top Ethanol Fireplace

Despite the name, Anywhere Fireplace does not specialize exclusively in fireplaces, though it does focus on products centered around the fire. However, we named the Anywhere Fireplace Lexington ethanol fireplace our best living room option because of a combination of solid specs and a great design.

For instance, this is the first free-standing ethanol fireplace we reviewed, but it is also the largest one at 20” x 8” x 9 ½”. While this means that the Anywhere Fireplace Lexington is not quite as portable as some of the other free-standing entries we reviewed, it does heat better than other competitors.

This primarily comes down to the fact that this ethanol fireplace puts out between 4000 to 5000 BTUs without requiring a constant hook-up to a fuel tank. On top of that, the larger ethanol fireplace burner allows the Anywhere Fireplace Lexington’s wick to absorb more fuel and provides a burn time of 5 hours which is the longest for a free-standing model.

Though this ethanol fireplace will not heat an entire house, it still offers enough heat for those gathered around it to warm up. While this ethanol fireplace comes in a variety of colors, all of them feature a durable brushed stainless steel construction as well as protective glass sides.

Best Budget: BRIAN & DANY Ventless Tabletop Portable Fire Bowl Pot Bio Ethanol Fireplace Indoor Outdoor Fire Pit

BRIAN & DANY are not one of the bigger named players in the ethanol fireplace industry in part because the company focuses more on general consumer goods than ethanol fireplaces specifically. However, this focus on consumer goods means that BRIAN & DANY needs to appeal to your pocketbook as much as to your sensibilities.

In this regard, BRIAN & DANY hits the ball out of the park by making an inexpensive ethanol fireplace that checks in as our best budget option. Though it is worth noting that this model works best for decorative purposes as opposed to using it to heat a whole room, but it still puts out 2000 BTUs.

One of the better qualities of the BRIAN & DANY ethanol fireplace is that you do not need to worry about hooking up an ethanol tank to use it. Instead, the ethanol burner contains a cotton core wick that absorbs the ethanol fuel, so you can fill it when you need it and keep a cleaner presentation.

Even better, the BRIAN & DANY ethanol fireplace only weighs 3 lbs, making it the lightest entry on our list and perfect for moving it inside or outside as desired. The fireplace only makes this process easier thanks to its free-standing design with sturdy feet, steel base, and protective tempered glass.

Best Tabletop: Moda Flame Vigo Ventless Tabletop Bioethanol Fireplace

Moda Flame specializes in fireplaces and their accessories, though it also includes electric models, but makes our list thanks to its combination of price and features. For starters, this is an inexpensive option but offers superior specs to some of the other budget-friendly models we encountered.

That said, we named the Moda Flame Vigo our best tabletop option in a large part because it utilizes the popular free-standing design. As if that were not enough, this ethanol fireplace features a more durable construction than most other free-standing competitors with 430 stainless steel double walls.

While not the smallest model on our list, the Moda Flame Vigo ethanol fireplace is still fairly compact at only 14” x 8” x 7”. Likewise, this is not the lightest entry we reviewed, but this option still only weighs about 6 ⅔ lbs, both qualities make it reasonably easy to move this ethanol fireplace from inside to outdoors as desired. 

It is worth noting that the Moda Flame Vigo only puts out 3900 BTUs, but this is a perfect amount of heat for sitting around a tabletop. Like other free-standing ethanol fireplaces, this option also does not require a fuel tank, but its burner still accepts enough fuel for a solid burn time of 2 to 3 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Ethanol Fireplaces Any Good?

This question does not necessarily have a clear cut answer as it depends more on what you want from a burning fireplace in the first place. For instance, if you want a fireplace to provide a bit of ambiance to your space, then an ethanol fireplace is not only good but great as it accomplished this task without the problems associated with other types of fireplaces.

On the other hand, if you want a fireplace to help heat a room on a cold day, how good the ethanol fireplace performs will depend heavily on the size of the space and the ethanol fireplace in question. One area where an ethanol fireplace simply fails is by providing a pleasant aroma that accompanies a traditional fireplace.

Are Ethanol Fireplaces Dangerous?

Before we break down and compare the relative safety of different types of fireplaces, it is important to note that all fireplaces, in general, are potentially dangerous if you are not careful. Given that every type of fireplace produces fire, leaving flammable materials near the fireplace is extremely dangerous.

Just because a company advertises an ethanol fireplace is safer than a traditional fireplace does not mean it comes with no risk. That said, ethanol fireplaces do present some advantages in terms of safety compared to most other fireplaces with one of the most relevant being air quality.

Even if you make sure to keep other types of fireplaces in well-ventilated areas, there is also some amount of smoke, fumes, or other pollutants that contaminate the air. Thankfully, ethanol fireplaces are clean burning and do not pose the same kind of breathing risks as other types.

It is also worth remembering that in burning cleanly, ethanol fireplaces do not run the risk of developing creosote deposits.

What is the Best Bio Ethanol Fuel?

Ethanol for fireplaces comes in a multitude of different mixtures and sourced from a couple of different ingredients. However, most established brands provide their own bioethanol fuel and recommend that you use it for their ethanol fireplaces- though this is not always out of necessity.

One of the more important things to look for in a bioethanol fuel is one made from 100% natural ingredients that do not produce a foul smell when burned. Two of the entries on our list, the Ignis, and Regal Flame, are both well-established and make high-quality bioethanol fuels that work for any ethanol fireplace.

One thing to watch out for are various oils included in the bioethanol fuel, even if they are natural, as this can produce unwanted soot or smoke. Depending on your household, you might also want to look for bioethanol fuel that includes a bitterant which makes the fuel taste bitter to prevent children or pets from trying to drink it.

How Do You Use an Ethanol Fireplace?

This is another question that heavily depends on the type of ethanol fireplace you use, though they do tend to function similarly enough. For instance, all ethanol fireplaces include some kind of burner receptacle that includes a wick which absorbs the ethanol fuel.

Rather than connect a gas line, you simply fill the burner with the desired amount of fuel- something that can take a couple of tries to figure out. It is important to let the entire amount of added fuel burn out as leaving some in the burner unused can lead to evaporation and leftover waste which might impact the quality of the wick.

It is important to use a long-stemmed lighter when lighting an ethanol fireplace as the ethanol fuel burns quicker and hotter than some other types of fuel and can burn you if you are not careful. Most ethanol fireplaces also include some kind of cover or damper tool to allow you to control the size of the flame. They are a reasonable alternative to even today’s best electric fireplaces, and you may be able to use them outdoors instead of a propane fire pit under certain circumstances.