How much does it actually cost to keep a bioethanol fireplace burning for an evening? It mainly comes down to three things: how much fuel your burner uses, what you pay for a litre of bioethanol, and how many hours you enjoy the flames.
Some bioethanol fireplaces cost as little as 60p an hour to run, while larger models with longer flames naturally use more. Use the calculator below to work out the cost for your own fireplace, then compare three examples from our range to see how the design affects fuel consumption and burn time.
Calculate the running cost of your bioethanol fireplace
Enter the figures for your fireplace and how you plan to use it. If you already own one, you will usually find the fuel consumption in the product specifications or the user manual.
The calculator estimates fuel costs only. Enter your own fireplace's stated consumption and the price you pay per litre.
What does bioethanol cost in the UK?
In the UK, fireplace-grade bioethanol currently sells for around £3 per litre, depending on the brand, the pack size and delivery. That is the price we use in every example in this guide, so the figures give you a realistic picture of what an evening in front of the fire costs. If you pay more or less, simply change the price in the calculator.
How to work out the running cost
The sum is simple: multiply the fuel consumption per hour by the price per litre. At 0.25 litres an hour and £3.00 a litre, for example, the fuel costs 75p for every hour the fireplace is lit. Multiply that by the number of hours, and you have the cost of an evening.
The size of the burner and the flame setting both affect consumption. A longer flame usually needs more fuel, while some burners can be turned down. The size of the tank decides how long the fireplace can burn between refills, but on its own it tells you nothing about the running cost.
How long does a litre of bioethanol last?
A litre goes further in a small burner than in a large one. The table shows the total burn time a litre gives at a steady consumption. It does not mean that every fireplace holds a full litre or can burn continuously for the whole period.
| Fuel consumption | Total burn time per litre | Cost per hour at £3.00/L |
|---|---|---|
| 0.20 L/h | 5 hours | £0.60 |
| 0.25 L/h | 4 hours | £0.75 |
| 0.46 L/h | About 2 hours 10 minutes | £1.38 |
Lambeth, for example, holds only 0.5 litres. At an estimated 0.20 L/h, one fill gives about 2.5 hours of burn time under normal conditions. Always keep to the burner's maximum fill level and let it cool as the manual instructs.
Three examples: small, enclosed and long flame
To make the figures more tangible, we have worked out the costs for three different fireplaces from our range. The calculations are based on £3.00 per litre and each model's stated consumption per hour. The examples sit alongside the calculator and are not settings built into it.
| Specification |  Lambeth Tabletop fireplace |
 Washington Enclosed bioethanol stove |
 Lansing L Freestanding, long flame |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat | A little extra warmth | Steel body holds the heat | Longer flame, higher consumption |
| Fuel consumption | 0.20 L/h | 0.25 L/h | 0.46 L/h |
| Tank capacity | 0.5 L | 1.5 L | 3.5 L |
| Burn time | Up to 2.5 hours* | Up to 6 hours | About 7.5 hours |
| Flame | Small, compact flame | Tall central flame | Long, wide flame |
| Cost per hour | £0.60 | £0.75 | £1.38 |
| Cost for 4 hours | £2.40 in theory (needs cooling and a refill) | £3.00 | £5.52 |
| Cost per full tank | £1.50 | £4.50 | £10.50 |
| Best for | Shorter evenings, easy to move | Long evenings | A focal point with a long flame |
* Lambeth's average consumption of about 0.20 L/h is calculated from its 0.5-litre tank and stated burn time of 2.5 hours. The four-hour cost is theoretical, because the fireplace cannot burn for four hours on a single fill. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and let the burner go out and cool completely before any permitted refill. All prices are estimated fuel costs only, based on £3.00 per litre.
Lambeth: a small tabletop fireplace for shorter evenings
Lambeth is an affordable tabletop fireplace that you can move around and light wherever suits you, as long as you follow the manual. With an estimated consumption of 0.20 litres an hour over its 2.5-hour burn time, it costs about 60p an hour to run.
The small 0.5-litre tank is its main limitation if you want a fire all evening. One fill lasts up to 2.5 hours under normal conditions, so Lambeth suits a shorter session better than three or four hours in a row.
Washington: a bioethanol stove for long evenings
Washington has the familiar look of a wood-burning stove. It uses 0.25 litres an hour, slightly more than Lambeth, but its 1.5-litre tank gives up to six hours of burn time. Four hours costs about £3.00.
The enclosed steel body warms up while the fire is lit and gives some of that heat back after the flame has gone out. It adds to the feeling of a real stove, although it is the same energy the fuel has already released, so it is not extra heat.
Does the enclosed stove make the fuel last longer? The stove body can shield the burner from draughts and change the airflow around the flame, which may affect consumption. How large that effect is, and in which direction, has not been tested in a controlled comparison with Washington. Always use the burner in its approved setup.
Lansing L: a longer flame with higher consumption
Lansing L has a long, visible flame and a freestanding design that can also work as a room divider. It uses 0.46 litres an hour, which comes to £1.38 an hour at £3.00 a litre. Four hours costs about £5.52.
With a 3.5-litre tank and a burn time of about 7.5 hours, it suits anyone who wants a large flame for many hours and is happy with the higher fuel cost.
Lambeth and Washington show why the hourly cost and the burn time should be looked at together. Lambeth uses a little less fuel an hour and can be moved around, but Washington's larger tank makes it more practical for a whole evening. Lansing L offers a different experience, with a longer flame and higher consumption.
Washington in different conditions: do draughts change the burn time?
A burner's consumption can change with the airflow around it. We are preparing a practical comparison in which the Washington burner runs in three different conditions. The times below are indicative figures that still need to be verified, not results from a controlled test.
| Measurement | Inside Washington | Showroom with draught | Outdoors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indicative burn time | 6 hours | 5 hours | 4 hours |
| Calculated consumption | 0.25 L/h | 0.30 L/h | 0.375 L/h |
| Calculated cost per hour | £0.75 | £0.90 | £1.13 |
These are indicative calculations that assume the same 1.5 litres is used in all three setups. Actual consumption and burn times need to be measured before the figures can be treated as a test result. Airflow may explain the differences, but this comparison does not prove the cause on its own. A loose burner, or one intended for indoor use only, must never be used outside its approved installation or in windy conditions. The outdoor scenario is not a recommendation.
Our tip: make your fuel last longer by turning the flame down
If you have an adjustable burner, you can often enjoy a lovely flame and use less fuel at the same time. First let the flame settle for as long as your fireplace's manual recommends. Depending on the burner, that usually takes 10 to 30 minutes.
Once the burner is warm and running normally, a lower flame setting can still give an attractive orange flame with lower consumption. We often see this with manually adjustable burners. How the flame looks and how much you save depend on the model, the fuel and the setting. Bear in mind that a smaller flame also gives less heat.
Only turn down a burner that is designed for it, using the supplied tool and following the manufacturer's instructions. Never try to adjust a burner that is not approved for it. Lambeth, for example, has a fixed flame that cannot be adjusted.
In the video below you can see Lambeth and Washington side by side. Washington has an adjustable burner, so the flame can be turned down to save fuel, while Lambeth's flame is fixed. Lansing L also has an adjustable burner.
Is a bioethanol fireplace expensive to run?
It depends on the kind of flame you want and how often you light it. At £3.00 a litre, a four-hour evening costs about £3.00 with Washington and about £5.52 with Lansing L. If you light the fire twice a week, that works out at roughly £26 or £48 in an average month, assuming the same consumption each time.
A bioethanol fireplace gives you a real flame and some extra warmth without the logs, ash and chimney that come with a wood burner. An enclosed steel model can also release stored heat after the fire has gone out. Bioethanol is not the cheapest way to heat a home, though. If your heating bill is the main concern, compare it with your electricity tariff, gas central heating, a heat pump and the other heat sources you have.
How to keep running costs down
Choose a burner with a flame size that matches the way you plan to use the fireplace. Check the stated consumption, the tank size and the burn time, especially if you want a fire for three or four hours at a time. Where the manufacturer allows it, turning the flame down on an adjustable burner can stretch the burn time further.
Buying bioethanol in larger packs or by the case often lowers the price per litre. Compare the total price including delivery, and always use the fuel your fireplace is approved for. Never refill a burner that is lit or still warm; let it cool completely as the manual instructs.
Find the fireplace that suits you
Once you know roughly what the fuel will cost, it is easier to choose a fireplace that matches the way you will actually use it. Compare the consumption figures on our product pages, or get in touch if you would like help choosing between a small tabletop fireplace, an enclosed stove and a larger freestanding model.
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