Bio ethanol fires ~ sweep chimney ?

[citychick]

I am considering putting in a bio ethanol fire place into the recess we have in the living room. it currently has an electric faux log burner in the space.

We'd need a proper hearth put back in but should we get the chimney swept too? I know bio fires don't need a chimney etc but I can't find any advice on-line.

Has anyone done this? What did you do ?

Thanks!

Are they pots of stuff you burn? They are minging.

Wow what a helpful comment there.

Bio ethanol fires don’t need a chimney but if you’re going to put it in the recess I’d probably board off above the fire instead. We have a wood burner and bits fall down the chimney all the time when it’s windy even after it’s been swept.

I’m not sure how effective bio ethanols are at actually creating heat, if you’re going to all the effort of a hearth and stuff I’d consider a real burner instead.

We have a bioethanol in a column created for it in the middle of the room so not a chimney. It was lined with fire retardant board & has a ‘top’ to avoid scorching- its open on 3 sides so like a u shape on its side.
It doesn’t give out huge amounts of heat but does warm the area. There is a slight smell when it burns but not too bad.
For us it was the cleanest & cheapest option to get a fire that looked modern & real.
I would look for one that you could slot in the space & line area with fire retardant plasterboard.

Just board up the chimney and it will be fine. Ours heated our open plan downstairs very nicely and produces far more heat than we expected. There is no smell if you use them in a good sized room. They are environmentally friendly options and far cleaner/easier than a wood burner. Buy the fuel from a reputable dealer (we use the fires manufacturer) and have no issue with smells.

Any combustion that doesn't require ventilation to replace the oxygen used won't add much heat to the room. Surely there must be decent electric alternatives?

Tbf you do notice a difference when ours is on - you wouldn’t want it as a primary heat source though