Fireplace Inserts

Zero-clearance construction gives a bioethanol fireplace insert genuine freedom at the face: marble, timber, concrete, and custom millwork all sit flush against the unit frame with no side or rear spacing required. The surround becomes a material decision, not a compliance one.

Approved face finishes include honed or book-matched marble, figured timber veneers, poured or board-formed concrete, and bespoke joinery. Tile, plastered masonry, brick, and natural stone work as substrate and typically as finish too, with non-combustible backing behind the cavity (EcoSmart Fire specifies vermiculite board, fibre cement, or steel framing lined with fire board). Matte surfaces like raked plaster or fluted stone read the flame as warm and painterly; reflective finishes like polished marble or blackened steel double the fire visually and throw light deeper into the room.

The only real constraint sits above the unit. EcoSmart Fire's installation guidelines specify a minimum of 600 mm [23.6 in] from the flame for non-combustible mantels or shelves, and at least 1,500 mm [59.1 in] for combustible materials including timber mantels, ceilings, joinery returns, and curtains. Everything beside and behind the firebox is yours to specify.

For retrofit projects, the wall finish can be reworked later without damaging the insert or the surrounding structure, which keeps the surround a live design decision rather than a permanent commitment.

Ideal mounting height for EcoSmart Fire wall-mounted bioethanol fireplaces depends on how you want to experience the flame rather than a single fixed measurement. Position the burner at eye level when seated in your primary viewing area, typically 1,200–1,400 mm [47–55 in] from the finished floor, so the flame draws your gaze naturally as you relax.

Viewing angle is the real guide. If you'll stand in front of it, aim higher. If you're watching from a dining table, position lower. The beauty of bioethanol fireplaces is that ventless installation frees you from chimney positioning, ceiling-height constraints, or ventilation paths. Design comfort first, then build clearance into the architecture around it.

Maintain overhead clearance of 1,500 mm [59.1 in] from the flame to any combustible material (ceilings, shelving, curtains). Non-combustible mantels can sit as close as 600 mm [23.6 in]. These aren't rigid rules but sensible margins that protect finishes and ensure safe operation.

Your placement becomes a design choice driven by sightline and room proportion, not a compliance checklist.

Bioethanol fireplace inserts are designed as supplemental heat sources rather than primary heating systems for whole homes. EcoSmart Fire's zero-clearance inserts effectively heat individual rooms ranging from 35 to 65 square metres [377 to 700 square feet], depending on burner configuration and room volume. This focused heating strategy is intentional: inserts deliver 90 per cent efficiency because ventless design retains all heat within the room, rather than losing it up a chimney.

For whole-home heating, consider two approaches: combine multiple inserts in key gathering spaces (living areas, gathering spaces), or use your existing central heating system with inserts adding warmth and ambience to high-use zones. A single insert won't replace your primary heat source, but it reduces energy demand in the room it occupies whilst delivering the aesthetic benefits of real flame. This targeted approach suits luxury residential design where thoughtful zone heating aligns with sustainable living principles.

EcoSmart Fire bioethanol fireplace inserts cost significantly less to install than traditional gas or wood-burning fireplaces because they eliminate structural modifications, gas line installation, and chimney work. Installation focuses on securing the insert in a framework and finishing the surround, a zero-clearance design that removes expensive building work.

The cost advantage comes from simplicity: no venting requirement, no electrical wiring, no combustion air ducts. Installation typically completes in under an hour once the framework is ready, keeping labour costs lower and timelines shorter. Many homeowners invest in professional finishing work, but the fireplace insert itself requires minimal specialist input.

EcoSmart Fire reports up to 70% in cost savings compared to gas fireplaces across the full installation journey. This includes the insert and surrounding build work. The remaining costs reflect design choices: cabinetry finishes, materials, and architectural integration, decisions that would apply regardless of fireplace type.

Once installed, running costs are minimal. A 9-litre fuel refill burns for 8–13 hours depending on heat setting, making it one of the most economical focal point options. Total cost of ownership, including installation and fuel, typically proves competitive with traditional alternatives.

No, ethanol fireplace inserts don't require a chimney. The clean-burning chemistry of bioethanol combustion produces only heat, water vapour, and minimal CO2, with no smoke, soot, or harmful gases that would need venting through a flue. This zero-clearance capability means the insert can sit inside your existing fireplace opening with heat retained in the room.

When retrofitting an existing fireplace with an active chimney, simply seal the damper or install a metal plate to block the opening. This prevents warm air escaping up the unused flue and maximises the fireplace's heating efficiency. All EcoSmart Fire bioethanol inserts are UL-listed and EN 16647 certified, meeting international safety standards for clean-burning, unvented operation.

EcoSmart Fire bioethanol fireplaces feature true zero-clearance design. At the back and sides, the appliance frame installs directly into wood or metal stud walls with no spacing required between the unit and surrounding combustible materials.

For mantels and surrounds fitted above or beside the unit, specific vertical clearance distances apply. These differ depending on whether the material is combustible or non-combustible; your model's support page provides the exact dimensions and diagrams for your configuration.

Each model specifies a minimum room volume for adequate ventilation. This is an air quality requirement rather than a physical clearance distance. Your product specifications or installer will confirm the threshold for your room.

Before installation, verify your wall cavity dimensions against the product's cut-out specifications to ensure tolerances align.

A zero-clearance ethanol fireplace insert is a self-contained bioethanol fire unit designed to drop into a wall cavity or an existing hearth, delivering a real flame without a chimney, flue, gas line or electrical connection. It burns liquid bioethanol fuel cleanly, producing only heat, water vapour and a small amount of CO2, with no smoke, soot, sparks or ash. That clean combustion is what sets it apart from a wood or gas insert, and what allows the unit to sit directly against timber or metal studs.

EcoSmart Fire builds ethanol inserts across three ranges, each suited to a different architectural setting:

• Frame: recessed wall inserts for indoor or outdoor single-sided viewing, built around a Grade 304 stainless steel burner and toughened glass screen.
• Heritage: a contemporary take on the traditional hearth and firebox, designed for classic fireplace openings.
• Grate: drop-in bioethanol grates that convert an existing wood-burning fireplace into a clean-burning fire, suitable for retrofit projects.

All ranges are safety-certified and designed for use in adequately ventilated indoor and outdoor spaces.

Yes, EcoSmart Fire bioethanol fireplaces can be recessed into walls. The Flex range is specifically engineered for recessed installation, with the appliance mounted inside a wall cavity and finished flush with the surrounding surface, eliminating any protrusion.

A recessed Flex fireplace requires a framed cavity with specific dimensions: 365 mm [14.4 in] deep, 730 mm [28.7 in] high, and width from 488 mm [19.2 in] up to 4,140 mm [163 in] depending on the model chosen. The appliance slides into the cavity and anchors to the wall framing via mounting flanges. Crucially, any framing above the installation must be self-supporting; the fireplace itself carries no load from the structure.

The zero-clearance design means the unit installs directly against framing with no additional clearance requirements. Recessing integrates seamlessly with marble, timber, concrete, and bespoke millwork finishes, maximising the room footprint while creating a sculptural architectural focal point.

Recessed into an interior wall, a Flex bioethanol fireplace delivers a clean, indoor-optimised flame — no flue, no gas line, and no chimney required. The bioethanol fuel burns cleanly, producing no soot or smoke, making it well suited to sealed indoor environments where air quality and interior finish integrity matter. From living rooms and bedrooms to hospitality spaces, the flush, frameless installation creates a living indoor flame feature that is as architecturally refined as it is practically suited to indoor living.

EcoSmart’s fireplace inserts are mostly used for new construction when an entirely new fireplace is desired for a given space. They are not designed for the conversion or remodelling of an existing masonry or gas fireplace but could be used if the dimensions align.

To convert an existing fireplace we recommend using our fireplace grates or ethanol burners as noted above.

Ensure that the flue has been closed off and the relevant suppliers have officially detached all connections to utilities.

Three zero-clearance bioethanol series, three distinct design intents. Flex is the format-flexible range for bespoke and commercial builds, Heritage reimagines the traditional hearth for compact and high-rise settings, and Frame delivers low-profile linear flame for contemporary and retrofit interiors.

Where they diverge:

• Flex offers the widest format choice: 12 single-sided sizes from 378 to 4,030 mm [14.9 to 158.7 in] viewing width, available across eight configurations (single-sided, left corner, right corner, bay, double-sided, peninsula, island, and bench). The viewing area is all live flame. Select models include an optional decorative box and copper log set. Single-sided models share a 365 mm [14.4 in] depth.
• Heritage is the single-sided traditionalist. Three sizes, 860 to 1,624 mm [33.9 to 63.9 in] wide, with the tallest proportions and deepest 539 mm [21.2 in] profile of the three. A SECC steel grate and toughened glass fire screen come standard, creating the classic log-fire read inside a modern firebox. Zero-clearance, ventless installation makes it suited to compact living spaces and high-rise buildings.
• Frame is the shallowest and lowest-slung, at 363 to 403 mm [14.3 to 15.9 in] deep and 598 mm [23.5 in] high. Five single-sided sizes, toughened low-iron glass for clearer flame, and a design that lets wall finishes be updated without disturbing the insert.

Flex for design freedom. Heritage for traditional proportions without the infrastructure. Frame for linear, low-profile statements and renovations.