Biofuel fireplaces: design, types and principles of operation of biofuel fireplaces

If you believe the proverb, “living” fire is one of the phenomena that each of us is ready to admire endlessly.But if in a private house it is possible to set up a real wood-burning fireplace, then in an apartment you can only count on its electric counterpart with an imitation flame.

But this was before biofuel fireplaces entered our lives. Let's consider the operating principle of these devices and several nuances that are important when choosing and further using them.

How does a biofireplace work?

Unlike wood fires, eco-fireplaces have more of a decorative function - although heat is released when the flame burns, it is not enough to fully heat the room.

Biodevices do not require a chimney, hood or other additional elements that threaten to turn the installation of an accessory into a new renovation.

They run on liquid fuel, which produces a beautiful fire with even “tongues” of flame.

Design features of the device

An eco-fireplace is a fairly simple device that consists of three main components - a fuel block, a burner and a body made of non-flammable material (usually glass, heat-resistant plastic or metal). Most often, devices are also equipped with a backlight, a protective screen and a flame control regulator.

Automated systems are also equipped with a remote control unit to control the device from a remote control, mobile phone or tablet.

And also many nice additions, for example:

• LED information display, which displays data about the current state of the device, possible breakdowns, and the presence of fuel in the tank;
• automatic ignition and extinguishing;
• cooling system with built-in fan;
• sensors for monitoring temperature, fuel and even carbon dioxide content and humidity in the room;
• child lock function;
• ability to connect to Wi-Fi and the system "Smart House».

The principle of operation of the device is as follows: fuel is poured into a tank or open container, the burner is ignited and “produces” a flame until the fuel is consumed. But a lot depends on the technical equipment of the fireplace.

Simple devices will require “manual” ignition and control over the flame level in the burner. You will also have to extinguish the fire yourself - using a special poker or damper.

To start/stop an automated fireplace, just turn on the corresponding button on the control panel.

The specificity of the device’s operation is that flames are formed not directly from the combustion of fuel, but only from its vapors, which are supplied to the burner through the outlet channel.And since the fire burns without smoke or smell, there is no need to build exhaust channels, and the heat generated by the device remains completely in the room.

But, despite the high efficiency indicator, it will not be possible to use an eco-fireplace as the main source of heating - the power is not the same.

An important component of the device is decorative elements. Usually these are ceramic products, colored glass, pebbles, mirrors and other fireproof materials, with the help of which the device can both reliably depict a classic hearth and become a trendy highlight of an urban interior.

Advantages and disadvantages of eco-fireplaces

Unlike wood and gas fireplaces, most biofireplaces (except built-in ones) are mobile devices and have small dimensions.

Therefore, they can be installed in almost any room of the house and even taken out into the open air - for example, a terrace, balcony or local area in a summer cottage.

Pros of the device:

• Versatility – there is no interior where a home fireplace with beautiful petals of flame would fit in.
• Easy installation – the device can be built into furniture or purchased as a mobile structure; in any case, installation does not require special knowledge and skills.
• Easy to use – bio-fireplaces will not require chimney maintenance, washing off multi-layered soot, collecting firewood and other labor-intensive maintenance. For the fireplace to work, it is enough to fill it with special fuel on time and periodically clean the burner with a soft cloth.
• No need to obtain permission to install – to install a biological fire, you will not need to engage in long-term negotiations with the fire inspectorate and other services, as when installing a gas or wood-burning analogue. It is enough to follow the safety rules when choosing a location and subsequent operation of an open fire, and the regulatory authorities will not have any complaints against you.
• Beneficial effect on the psyche — “living” flame is associated with warmth and tranquility, relaxes and induces relaxation, which is not the least important thing in the hectic pace of modern life.

As for the disadvantages, the most global of them is the impressive cost of both the equipment itself and biofuel, the reserves of which must be constantly replenished. But if you are willing to pay for the opportunity to decorate your interior with a spectacular twist, consider the options of various models.

Classification of biofuel fireplaces

There are a huge variety of eco-fireplaces on the modern market, so even the most demanding buyers will not have problems choosing the right shape, design and color scheme.

But the choice of device should be based not only on its spectacular appearance, but also on the availability of free space, because it is one thing to purchase a compact mobile device that can be moved or hidden if necessary, and quite another to purchase a stationary fireplace with a portal.

By installation method

In its simplest form, a biofireplace is a small tabletop device that can be placed on any horizontal surface, as long as it is sufficiently stable and wide. Its main advantages are mobility, compactness, low fuel consumption and affordable price.

Wall-mounted - devices with a closed back wall (sometimes also the ends) and a transparent facade. They are most similar to classic fireplace portals, but can be decorated in both historical and modern styles.

Such devices will not take up much space, since they are leaned closely against a wall or other vertical surface.

Freestanding - beautiful, impressive, but rather large devices that will be more appropriate in spacious rooms, although if you wish, you can choose a fairly compact rectangular model.

Such devices allow you to admire the fire from all sides, for which the body is most often made of transparent thermoplastic or glass, and can be moved using roller wheels built into the base.

Built-in - devices that can be installed in any niche of a suitable size, be it a wall, floor, column or recess in furniture.

Depending on the purpose, you can choose a device with a vertical or horizontal burner.

Outdoor fireplaces can be divided into a separate subgroup. Such devices are most often mobile so that they can be moved to any convenient place and stored indoors during bad weather. But there are also stationary models built into the walls of houses, cabinets or pedestals.

Outdoor fireplaces are more intended for commercial use in restaurants or entertainment centers, although they can also be installed in the local area. Their “trick” is enhanced protection against moisture and unexpected fire extinguishing by wind or rain.

This may be a special burner design, supplemented with absorbent fibers, or a collapsible housing with the ability to open/close the lid or raise the walls.

According to the shape of the body

Most often, the fireplace burner is enclosed in rectangular or square frame. This allows you to position the device more compactly and give it maximum resemblance to a conventional firebox.

But there are other options:

• Corner fireplace – the triangular shape allows you to install the device in any free corner, which is very convenient for small rooms.
• Fire streak – a fashionable novelty with several fuel blocks and a narrow burner, the length of which can reach 1.5 meters. It looks especially impressive on a bar counter, in a wall niche or a floor podium.
• Ball – a spherical fireplace can be hanging or floor-standing, but in any case it will not go unnoticed.
• Candle or torch — narrow devices with a rectangular or cylindrical body and a powerful column of flame are in demand in modern interiors and landscape design.
• Open fire – in some models the flame is not enclosed under the dome of the housing, but is only protected with protective glass around the perimeter or only on the front side. It looks impressive, of course, but the fire hazard of the device increases significantly.

Compact devices designed for tables or other surfaces in the “medium height” area attract attention due to their original decor. The burner used here is the most common one, most often round, so the emphasis is on non-standard design. This could be a plate filled with small pebbles or a beautiful glass with flames coming out of it.

What to look for when choosing?

Although buyers are most often guided by the appearance of the device and its compliance with the interior design, they should not lose sight of the technical characteristics of the device.

Important parameters:

1. Biofireplace power – varies from 1 to 7 kW. The higher this indicator, the greater the heat transfer from the device, as well as the brighter the flame and the higher the column of fire. But the consumption of expensive fuel increases proportionally.
2. Fuel tank volume – from 50 ml to 9 liters. Of course, a device with a large capacity functions longer without refilling, but since it is not recommended to leave unused liquid in the device, it is worth estimating the actual operating time of the fireplace before purchasing.
3. Burner material – for safe operation of the device, this element must be made of high-quality stainless steel 3-5 mm thick or ceramics.
4. Double circuit burner – provides additional thermal insulation and controls the fuel level. For example, if you pour a lot of fuel, its excess will “go” into the second circuit and will be consumed only after the liquid is burned in the first.

But fuel consumption, which is often of interest to buyers, is a very relative value, because much depends on the power of the device, the size of its tank and the specified flame power. In an hour, an average-sized fireplace can consume from 350 ml to 1 liter of combustible mixture, so many manufacturers indicate either a consumption “fork” or the required minimum for starting.

What is biofuel?

For the operation of eco-fireplaces, special combustible compositions obtained from recycling are intended biological waste or made from plant materials. It gives a beautiful “live” flame without sparking, odors, soot and smoke.

The most common type of fuel is denatured ethanol. Additionally, it is enriched with special additives that color the fire a warm orange color.

And for those who want to enjoy the complete illusion of a fire with the characteristic crackling of firewood, there are special biogels that contain sea salt.

The composition of industrial ecofuels should contain at least 95% bioethanol, 3-4% water and 1-2% various additives (for example, methyl ethiketone or bitrex), which prevent the mixture from separating into water and alcohol and give a beautiful color to the flame.

To choose the right fuel for your fireplace, focus on the heating performance of the fuel (on average, about 6.5 kW/h of heat is generated when burning 1 liter) and the availability of a quality certificate.

But if you wish, you can make the dressing mixture yourself.

For this you will need:

1. Purified 96 percent ethyl alcohol with a colorless flame - 1 liter.
2. Gasoline with a high octane number, for example, “Galosha” (simple automobile gasoline will not work - a characteristic odor will be released when burning) - 50 ml.
3. Aromatic additives from essential oils (optional) – 5-7 drops.

Then you need to mix the liquids in the specified proportions, shake until smooth and pour into the burner or fuel block.

The disadvantage of this method is that the flammable composition is suitable for use only immediately after preparation; it will not be possible to make a reserve for long-term storage - the mixture will separate.

Read more about the types of fuel for a biofireplace in this material.

Rules for the safe operation of a biofireplace

Although manufacturers have tried to make the device as safe as possible for home use, there is still a certain list of rules that are important for owners of eco-fireplaces to follow.

The simplest thing is not to leave a working fireplace unattended and do not place it near flammable objects, for example, near curtains, under hangers with clothes, wooden or plastic shelves and flammable accessories.

In addition to the obvious rules, there are also specific nuances, for example:

• Install the device only on a reliable and as flat surface as possible to prevent accidental tipping (by the way, expensive devices have a special flatness sensor that will help determine the curvature of the surface no worse than a building level).
• Pour biofuel only into a cooled, idle device and never replenish reserves during combustion.
• If the flammable mixture spills during refueling, immediately wipe the area dry to prevent spontaneous ignition.
• Use only heat-resistant accessories for decoration, such as stones, metal, glass or ceramic models.
• Monitor the fuel level in the tank and try to fill the liquid for exactly one use, otherwise the remaining ethanol will poison the air in your home with its vapors.
• To light a fire, use a special metal fireplace lighter with a long handle.

And lastly, don’t forget about ventilation. Although a biofireplace does not require a hood and does not evaporate harmful substances, when any flame burns, carbon dioxide is released.

Be sure to ventilate the room after operating the device and replenish the burned oxygen reserves.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

To help you make your choice, we suggest looking at several reviews about the construction of biofireplaces and assessing how they look in the interior. And for craftsmen who are accustomed to working with their own hands, here is a small bonus about the method of making a homemade device.

In this video you can clearly see the principle of operation of a simple bio-fireplace:

What to look for when choosing a device:

How to make your own burner for a biofireplace:

Fireplaces have long become the personification of home coziness and comfortable relaxation, and with the advent of biofuel appliances, each of us can decorate our home with a beautiful home fireplace.

Moreover, if you want to save on an expensive purchase, making the body and burner is quite feasible and with your own hands. But if you want your fireplace to operate in accordance with all safety rules, contact professionals who will help with choosing a model and its installation.

Still have questions about the topic of the article? Or did you find any shortcomings in the material presented? Leave your comments, share your experience, ask questions in the block below.