Bioethanol Heaters

[ElyElyOy]

Have any preppers got one? We need a new fire and my gas man actually suggested these: we only used our gas fire about once or twice a year as a back up or for aesthetic reasons.

It’s more a “focal point” or “accessory” but I like from a prepping angle that they don’t need any outside power source (just the bioethanol which is about £35 for 40 hours moderate heat give or take) and although it doesn’t give out much heat it would just take the edge off! Also I know it works out loads more than gas or electric heating, but it’s cheaper long term than paying for a new fire/flue and annual servicing, or paying for a solid fuel burner/wood/servicing.

I suppose my main concern is storing the bioethanol: you can buy big packs of the stuff which I would probably want to do, but would a dark shed be safe enough? Would it need a metal box instead?

[AnotherShirtRuined]

I looked into bioethanol fires some years ago when we didn't have a fire place and they were fairly new. We decided against it for safety reasons, but I suppose they are a lot safer now. Not much help I'm afraid.

[bellinisurge]

I like the idea but we are going down the wood burning stove route. My dh has wanted one for years and I am happy to do it from a prepper point if view. As well as a relaxing with a book point of view.

[ElyElyOy]

I was a bit concerned about safety but I was looking at the newer ones which look like wood burners and where the flame is fully enclosed. Hmm, still not sure, but then I suppose at the moment it’s one of those or nothing so it’s probably better than nothing! :)

[user1981287]

I’m sure they’re very nice but I don’t think they’re a prepping choice. Any source of heat where you are reliant on buying a specialist product like bioethanol is a bad prep. Better option would be a multi fuel burner. Then you can burn anything you can get your hands on, coal wood or even things like pine cones, confers, acorns, waste packaging etc. Very low maintenance cost, you just need to get the chimney swept each year or buy a brush and do it yourself

[ElyElyOy]

I prep for “my boiler’s broke and my friendly gas man can’t get until tomorrow” or “power cut” rather than “Russia cut the pipeline” or “zombies!” So for me it’s a good prep in that respect. I can get a years worth of emergency fuel for £35 which would probably double the amount of hours I’ve had the gas fire on in the last year - although they predict a bad winter this year so...

Sadly it’s a choice between a gas fire (expensive as we need a new chimney top, roof work, new flue and fire plus probably a new hearth and surround and associated decoration) or nothing. We haven’t got the money for a multi fuel and we don’t have a chimney so can’t even have the cheaper grate option.

I would love a multi fuel and in the long run we can hopefully save up and get one, but for now if the pipeline goes or Zombies come we will just have to wear extra coats :)

[bellinisurge]

Never underestimate the importance of a hat in keeping warm. I used to live in Siberia and wore a hat in bed. Also mittens. Also wool. Aldi has had some great merino wool tops. Keep your eyes open for all wool blankets in charityshops or wherever.

[ElyElyOy]

Don’t worry we all have a full set of hats and gloves and coats/jumpers and a million blankets and spare quilts. A few years ago our boiler broke for 2 weeks when it was -14c so we had a short sharp lesson in cold weather preps (plus the house at the time was like a leaky sieve so only a few degrees warmer than outside)

Thanks for the Aldi tip, I could do with a few new tops, especially if the doomsday winter happens :s