How to choose an ethanol fireplace

HOW DO YOU CHOOSE AN ETHANOL FIREPLACE?

For several years now, ethanol heating has offered a reliable and economical alternative for supplementary heating.

As a result, the range of ethanol fireplaces on offer has expanded, and numerous models of all sizes and styles have appeared on the market, making the choice increasingly complex.

We'll look at the main criteria to take into account when choosing the ethanol fireplace that best suits your needs.

how an ethanol fireplace works

choosing the type of ethanol fireplace

the need: supplementary heating and/or decoration

burner power

the NF D35-386 standard

How an ethanol fireplace works

First of all, and although this is relatively simple, we need to understand how an ethanol fireplace works.

An ethanol fireplace has 2 main components:

The body of the fireplace: generally made of iron, and sometimes of MdF or glass, this is the most visible part of the fireplace. It is this part that is worked on to give the fireplace the design you want.

The burner: made of stainless steel, this is the nerve centre of the fireplace, as it is here that combustion takes place and the ethanol tank is located.

Other elements can be added to this, in particular in terms of protection with grilles or fireproof glass. These can be added at a later date, but are generally included in the fireplace's original design.

In terms of operation itself, this is a simple combustion, in which the fuel is liquid ethanol.

When the burner is cold, the tank is filled with ethanol (the hollow part, which sometimes contains ceramic fibre) up to the fill indicator.

Then, using a long lighter, you light the ethanol and the flame spreads across the width of the burner.

Now you can enjoy your ethanol fireplace.

The different types of ethanol fireplaces

There are 4 different types of ethanol fireplaces, each with its own characteristics.

Wall-mounted fireplaces

Wall-mounted fireplaces, also known as fixed fireplaces, are models that can be fixed to the wall, with or without flush-mounting depending on the model, using a fixing kit.

Depending on the type of installation required, this may involve some plastering work if the fireplace is flush-mounted, or simply drilling the wall and fitting wall plugs if it is wall-mounted.

Floor-standing fireplaces

Floor-standing fireplaces are models that can be installed directly on the floor in the room of your choice, providing the same design effect as a piece of furniture.

These models have the advantage of requiring little installation before use, and can be moved from one room to another.

Table fireplaces

Table-top fireplaces are compact models that can be moved if required. They are designed to be placed on a table or piece of furniture, mainly as a decorative element, to enjoy the pleasure of a bright flame.

The larger models will still add a pleasant warmth to your home.

XXL fireplaces

The main feature of XXL ethanol fireplaces is their massive, even monumental appearance.

Beyond this, they come in all sorts of designs, as they can be floor-standing or wall-mounted, depending on the model, but they cannot be described as mobile.

So it's best to make sure it's in the right place beforehand, because once it's there it will be hard to move.

Why use an ethanol fireplace?

An ethanol fireplace is often associated more with the aesthetics of an interior than with heating.

This is partly true, as ethanol fireplaces come in a wide variety of shapes, and the choice of appearance is important for consistent interior design.

However, we mustn't overlook the calorific value that these products can provide, if they are correctly sized for the space to be heated.

That's why there are so many models on the market today that not only add character to your living space, but also provide substantial heat gain.

So, when you're looking to install an ethanol fireplace, you need to take these factors into account and ask yourself the right questions: are you simply looking for decoration, a supplementary heater, or both?

This will naturally lead to a selection of fireplaces that best suit your needs.

Choosing the right burner power

All heating systems, whether for auxiliary or main heating, need to be calibrated in terms of power to suit your needs.

Ethanol fireplaces are no exception to this rule, and we're going to look at how to define the power required for an ethanol burner.

As with other heating methods, the power of ethanol burners is expressed in Watts.

To calculate the power required in a room in order to achieve an appreciable heat gain, we use the rule of thumb of 1 kW per 10m2 for a room with a standard ceiling height. The same applies to sizing in terms of the room's ability to breathe (natural oxygen supply, carbon monoxide emissions).

The power of the burner is the main characteristic when choosing a burner.

Additional features include the size of the tank in L and the consumption in L/h, which determines the autonomy.

Ethanol inserts are generally designed to operate for 3 to 4 hours at full power.

In terms of shape, there are round and rectangular ethanol burners.

Round burners are generally small and are designed to be fitted into small ethanol fireplaces such as table-top fireplaces.

It is not possible to adjust the wattage on these burners, which consist of a sort of stainless steel bowl into which the ethanol is poured and lit.

Rectangular blocks, the best-known type, come in all sizes. They range from 30 cm to 160 cm.

Older models didn't have an adjustment plate, but nowadays adjustable models are increasingly common. They have the advantage of being able to modulate the flame, not only to regulate the heat input, but also to enjoy the flame for longer.

Finally, among the rectangular blocks, there are single-walled and double-walled. As the name suggests, the stainless steel wall can be doubled on certain blocks, usually chosen for customised installations.

The stainless steel lining allows less heat to escape from the stainless steel block, so it can be installed in materials that are more sensitive to heat.

What is the NF D35-386 standard?

There is no French standard for classifying the various alcohol-fuelled fireplaces on the French market, for use by private individuals

The only standard currently in force is NF D35 - 386. It aims to prevent the risk of burns caused by ethanol and carbon dioxide emissions.

It applies to establishments open to the public, or ERP, and includes the use of electronic burners for detection - some of which are expensive and unreliable.

The ethanol fireplaces presented on Wikao are 100% mechanical, do not include any electronic system and are intended for personal use. This is why our products can be used safely for private purposes.