F.A.Q. Everything you need to know about bioethanol fires
Q – Does the bioKamino heat?
A – Certainly, it’s a real flame, the heating power generally varies from 2 to 8 Kw according to the burner model; and, without a chimney, the heat is not dispersed outdoors.
Q – How many square metres does it heat?
A– There is no accurate answer, there are too many factors involved. However, it is not suited as primary heating system. It can considerably increase the temperature in a medium-sized room.
Q – Where does the bioethanol go?
A – In manual models it is poured directly in the burner that is also a tank using a funnel and following the enclosed directions. With our new Automatic Burner, you just need to connect the refill pipe and press a button; the burner will automatically fill up.
Q – How is it lit?
A – With a long lighter (gas lighter) or a long match for our manual burners, while by pressing a button for the Automatic Burner.
Q – Can the flame be adjusted?
A – Yes. All our burners have adjustable flames.
Q – Does it emit toxic fumes when used?
A – Bioethanol is an alcohol. If it’s high quality, it does not emit harmful fumes except in absolutely negligible quantities (like a kitchen stove), like all free flames, it consumes oxygen and thus adequate room ventilation is recommended.
Q – Is it dangerous to store bioethanol?
A – Just keep it away from heat and children. It is an alcohol and, obviously, do not exaggerate quantities.
Q – Is a specialised technician required for installation?
A – The wall bioKamino is installed like a picture, with four dowels; the floor model is ready for use once unpacked, easy to move from one room to another. The built-in line, though, must be installed by a professional.
Q – Does it come with an on/off remote control?
A – Our Automatic Burner can be controlled via Smartphone App.
Q – Does it need to be plugged in?
A – A bioKamino does not require electricity or other power source. On the other hand, the Automatic Burner must be connected to an electrical socket
Q – Does it emit unpleasant odours when operating?
A – Our burners are designed for optimal combustion. If good quality bioethanol is used, they do not emit any unpleasant odours.
Q – I read that scents can be used, how?
A – Our wall fireplaces are equipped with a burner protection chamber that can be used to add scents mixed with water to emit fragrances in the house while heating.
Q – Is periodic maintenance required?
A – No maintenance. BioKamino is built to last long without any maintenance except for normal cleaning with a damp cloth. Bioethanol quality is always important. Other fuels should never be used.
Q – Can I heat or cook food?
A – BioKamino is a decorative element and cannot be used to cook food.
Q – I’ve heard that the bio-fireplace can be dangerous. Is this true?
A – Is a car dangerous? It depends on how it’s built and especially on how it’s used; in the same way, if well-built and correctly used following the instructions, a bio-fireplace is not dangerous at all.
DOES IT HEAT OR IS IT JUST FOR DECORATION?
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BIOETHANOL FIRES
Over the years we’ve been in business, we’ve supplemented our website with a wealth of information so that anyone thinking about a bioethanol fire can make an informed purchase and know exactly what to expect from this type of product.
There are often a lot of doubts surrounding the purchase of a bio-fireplace and so we see many people visiting our site in search of information, which is why we wanted to shed some light on this new and alluring interior design piece.
HEAT
Bioethanol fires produce a real flame and thus also generate heat.
The amount of heat given off depends on the size of the burner (The heart of the bio-fireplace).
Our burners have outputs ranging from 1.75 to 8.6 kilowatts depending on the model; sometimes the type of fire they are installed in can boost their performance.
While it’s not strictly correct to talk about a bio-fireplace in terms of the area it can heat – as there are simply too many factors in play affecting the outcome – here’s just a rough guide to give you an idea: tables show us that 3 kW are enough to heat a room measuring approx. 5x5x3 m with good insulation and an outside temperature not below 0°.
Bio-fireplaces do not require a chimney, but since they produce a real flame, they consume oxygen and give off carbon dioxide, meaning they do require a supply of fresh air, which reduces the room’s insulation.
A bio-fireplace on its own is not going to be sufficient to heat an apartment or a large room. It is not suitable as your main heating source, but it does make a good secondary source to supplement a traditional heating system.
Consequently, a bio-fireplace is best seen mainly as an interior design piece that also has the properties of a heating device.
CONSUMPTION
Bioethanol consumption varies depending on the bio-fireplace model: fireplaces with smaller burners consume around 0.2 litres/hour, while models with a higher output can consume as much as 1.2 litres/hour.
The burner’s flame, and consequently its consumption, can be adjusted using the burner’s damper, which you can open either fully or partially based on your needs.
BIOETHANOL
Bioethanol is easy enough to get hold of, being stocked by most major supermarkets or DIY home stores.
It is a plant-derived alcohol made from plants such as beet, sugar cane, wheat, maize…
Bioethanol does not give off harmful substances, but the combustion process means it burns oxygen and gives off CO2, a naturally occurring gas (Please note: CO2 is carbon dioxide, the stuff we expel as we breathe, not to be confused with CO, carbon monoxide: a potentially hazardous gas), which is why it is advisable to ventilate the room once the air gets “stale”.
The effect is like having a room full of people expelling CO2 as they breathe: after a while, the air seems to get heavier and you simply need to open a window to get rid of the stuffy feeling.
Bioethanol, however, is an alcohol that will be ignited inside our bio-fireplace (inside the burner), so it’s essential you never buy poor-quality products that are not safe.
BURNERS
A quality burner must be solid, built with materials designed to withstand high temperatures and packed with certified ceramic fibre, whose job is to absorb the bioethanol so that the ignited bioethanol is never allowed to move freely inside the burner and gradually release its vapours.
That way, even if the fire is tipped over or knocked, the bioethanol stays contained inside the burner, with no risk of it pouring out onto wooden flooring, sofas or any other flammable surface.
In addition, this also avoids the risk of micro-explosions that could otherwise be caused by vapours forming inside the burner should the bioethanol not be contained.
WHERE TO POSITION IT
There are floor bio-fireplaces, wall-mounted models, that you hang on the wall just like a picture, as well as built-in bio-fireplaces.
As with a traditional fireplace, it is important to comply with given clearances, keeping fires a safe distance from flammable materials.
The bio-fireplace must not be exposed to draughts, which could compromise its operation.
Nonetheless, certain models can be installed outdoors, provided they are suitably sheltered from the elements.
