If you've ever lit a real fire, you'll know the pain of building kindling and firelighters and then trying to get it to light for long enough to add more fuel to the fire. Wood burners are usually much easier to light, but it can take a few attempts to get it burning fiercely. 

Bioethanol fireplaces are a cinch in comparison. All you need to do is first check that there is no fuel from previous use either inside, around or underneath the fuel box.  If there is fuel INSIDE the fuel box, then we strongly suggest you light this first and allow it burn off.  If there is any sign of spilled or accumulated fuel AROUND or UNDERNEATH the fuel box, then clean that away first.  If your biofire has a secondary chamber / housing around the fuel box, please check this too.  Once you are happy that there is no biofuel remnant, you can now squeeze up to 1 litre of biofuel into the fuel box. Never fill past the 'max indicator on the fuel box, or in any case more than 1litre of fuel.  You're now ready to light it.  (we have a short video showing how to light it here).  You'll get small, blue flames at first, but they'll grow into beautiful, warming yellow flames once the fireplace has warmed up….usually within around 10 minutes but it depends on a few factors such as natural ventilation levels in the home, or the temperature of the fuel box.  

Can I use matches to light my bioethanol fireplace?

Never use matches to light your bioethanol fireplace - if you drop the stick/match into the fuel box filter, it will give off smoke. The beauty of a bioethanol fireplace is that it creates no smoke, soot, or ash — you don't need a chimney or flue — so, you don't want to risk producing smoke inside your home. 

We recommend using a refillable long-reach lighter — that way, your hand will be nowhere near the flame when it ignites. The sort of lighters that cost a £ or 2 from supermarkets or Amazon. 

How long does it take to light a bioethanol flame? 

After filling your bioethanol fuel box, lighting the fire is easy. The fuel gently ignites as soon as you expose it to the flame of your long-reach lighter. Remember that the fire will be small to start with - this is normal and will grow once the fireplace has warmed up. 

The flame may go out if your bioethanol fireplace is very cold. Make sure there's no flame, then simply relight. The flame will take after the second lighting. 

How big is a bioethanol flame?

While a bioethanol flame isn't as hot as a wood or coal flame, you'll enjoy large, yellow flames similar to a wood burner once the bioethanol fireplace has warmed up. 

It takes around ten to twenty minutes for the yellow flames to appear — the flames look blue at first. The flames build in size over time, like a conventional fire, so expect smaller flames when you first light your biofire. 

What happens if I spill some bioethanol fuel?

Always check there is no spilled fuel around or underneath the fuel box.  If you biofire has an additional outer section to hold any spills, always check this too.  Wipe up any spilt bioethanol fuel that's fallen outside the fuel box aperture before you light your bioethanol fire. Use a paper towel or a cloth to mop up the fuel.

You're much less likely to spill or dribble any biofuel with ImaginFires products because we supply our bioethanol in a handy squeezy bottle with a no-drip cap, and we build no-spill fuel boxes into all our bioethanol fireplaces.