Do bioethanol fires smell?

Short answer: very little. Good-quality bioethanol burns cleanly and produces very little odour in normal use. There is no wood smoke and no gas smell. If a bioethanol fire does smell, there is usually a simple reason.

Why it burns so cleanly

Bioethanol is alcohol made by fermenting the sugar and starch in plants. When it burns it produces heat, a little water vapour and carbon dioxide. There is no smoke, no soot and no ash, which is also why it needs no flue. More on our What is bioethanol page.

When you might notice a smell

• For a moment when you light it or put it out. A faint alcohol smell as the flame starts or stops is normal and passes quickly.
• If fuel has been spilt. Spilt bioethanol evaporates and you will smell it. Wipe spills up straight away, and always before you relight.
• If the burner was overfilled. Fill to the max line and no further.
• If the fuel is poor quality. Substandard fuel can smell as it burns and affect how the fire performs.
• If the burner is too big for the room. A large flame in a small, closed room can feel stuffy. Match the burner to the room and follow the ventilation guidance in the manual.

The fuel matters most

Use the fuel the manufacturer specifies. We only recommend the fuel we sell, because we can vouch for its purity, and substandard fuel can cause poor performance and void the warranty on most fireplace brands.

Our 20 litre bioethanol comes as four 5 litre bottles, unscented or scented. One caution: it is not suitable for some Planika models, so check with us before you use it in a Planika fire.

Five ways to keep it odour free

1. Buy good fuel and store it sealed, upright and away from heat.
2. Use a pouring nozzle so fuel goes into the burner and not around it.
3. Stop at the max line.
4. Wipe up any spills before you light.
5. Keep the burner clean. Let it cool completely, then follow the manufacturer's care instructions.

How it compares

• Wood smells like wood smoke, in the room and on your clothes, and outdoors it can drift to the neighbours.
• Gas is clean when it is burning properly, but it needs a flue to carry the combustion gases away.
• Bioethanol has no smoke and very little odour, with no flue.

Still noticing a smell?

Tell us which fire and which fuel you are using and we will help you work out the cause. Call 0800 468 836. If you would like to judge for yourself first, come and stand next to one. The range is lit in our Takapuna showroom, open seven days.