Fireplaces
A flame without a flue and without wood comes from two technologies, both of which appear in this range. Bioethanol fireplaces burn a real flame fed by liquid alcohol, while water vapour fireplaces build the flame from mist lit by LEDs. They come as wall models, freestanding in a stove style on legs, as inserts and as tabletop units. Neither type needs a flue, so it can stand in practically any room.
Fireplaces
A decorative fireplace brings the sight of fire into a room without building work, without a chimney and without storing wood. The fireplaces in this range burn no solid fuel, so they need neither a chimney inspection nor a non-combustible hearth plate underneath. The difference between the two technologies is fundamental: one really burns, the other only imitates the flame.
The bioethanol fireplace burns liquid bioethanol in a stainless steel burner and has a real flame. Besides light it also gives heat, usually around two to three kilowatts, enough as a supplementary source for one room. Consumption runs roughly from 0.3 to 0.5 litres per hour depending on burner size. Because combustion produces carbon dioxide and water vapour, the room has to be ventilated while the fireplace is running. Fuel is never topped up into a hot or burning burner.
The water vapour fireplace burns no fuel at all. An ultrasonic mister breaks water into a fine haze lit from below by LEDs, producing a flame that looks convincing but stays cold. The fireplace simply plugs in and is topped up with water, on larger models roughly every eight hours. Because nothing burns, there is no risk of burns or ignition, and the fireplace can run where there are children and pets. Some models carry an extra heating element; otherwise they do not heat on their own.
By placement there are wall, freestanding, insert and tabletop models. A wall fireplace hangs like a television and saves floor space, while a freestanding one in stove style on legs can be moved at any time. Inserts are recessed into furniture or a niche so that only the firebox shows.
Among materials, steel, tempered glass and lacquered MDF dominate, most often in black or white. Before buying it is worth measuring the spot and, on bioethanol models, checking the room volume the manufacturer recommends. Instructions for operation and for the recommended fuel are always in the manual and are worth following.