Bio Ethanol Fireplace vs Indoor Wood Fireplace: Hanging Ethanol Fireplace Guide
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Choosing a fireplace is not only about how it looks. The type of fuel, installation requirements, maintenance, ventilation and the way you want to use the space all matter. For Australian homes, suspended fireplace designs offer an interesting alternative to traditional built-in fireplaces, particularly when you want the fire to become part of the room rather than simply sit against a wall.
At Zen Fireplaces, the range includes both wood-burning suspended fireplaces and bio-ethanol suspended fireplaces. This makes it easier to compare two different fireplace experiences while keeping the distinctive hanging design.
What Is a Bio Ethanol Fireplace?
A bio ethanol fireplace uses bioethanol fuel rather than timber. Zen Fireplaces offers the Zen Elegante 800 and Zen Elegante 1200 Bio-Ethanol Suspended Fireplaces as part of its bioethanol range.
One of the main differences is the installation approach. According to Zen Fireplaces, its bioethanol suspended fireplace does not require the flue to penetrate the ceiling because there is no smoke to exhaust. However, adequate ventilation is still required when the fireplace is installed indoors.
The Zen Elegante 800 is handcrafted from 4mm cold rolled steel and can rotate through 360 degrees. Its bioethanol burner has a 4-litre fuel capacity and can burn for approximately four hours when using 99.8% bioethanol fuel.
For someone looking for a hanging ethanol fireplace, this type of design can create a strong focal point without the traditional chimney appearance.
What About an Indoor Wood Fireplace?
An indoor wood fireplace provides a different experience. Instead of bioethanol, the Zen wood-burning models are designed for hard wood and use a dedicated flue system.
Zen Fireplaces currently lists the Zen Elegante Wood Burning Suspended Fireplace and Zen Occhio Wood Burning Suspended Fireplace. The wood-burning models are designed, tested and accredited in Australia to relevant AS/NZS standards for solid-fuel appliances.
The Zen Elegante wood-burning model is made from 4mm cold rolled steel and has an approximate heat output of 7–8 kW, with an approximate heating area of 140+ square metres according to the product information. Actual heating performance will depend on the property, room layout and installation.
For homeowners who enjoy the traditional character of burning timber, an indoor wood fireplace offers a very different atmosphere from an ethanol burner.
Hanging Ethanol Fireplace vs Wood-Burning Design
So, which option makes more sense?
A hanging ethanol fireplace may be worth considering if you prefer a cleaner-burning fuel option without the same flue requirements as a wood-burning model. The Zen bioethanol model produces no smoke or ash and does not require electricity. Indoor installation still requires suitable ventilation and the manufacturer's safety requirements must be followed.
A wood-burning suspended fireplace may be better suited to someone who specifically wants the traditional experience of burning hardwood and the heating characteristics associated with a solid-fuel appliance.
The decision should therefore start with how you expect to use the fireplace rather than simply choosing the most attractive design.
Installation Requirements Are Different
Installation is one of the biggest differences between these fireplace types.
For a wood-burning suspended fireplace, the flue system, ceiling structure, clearances and roof penetration all need to be considered. Zen Fireplaces recommends using a qualified solid-fuel appliance installer licensed for the relevant mechanical services work.
The installation requirements can also involve structural support above the ceiling. Zen explains that the ceiling flange needs an appropriate steel beam or angle-iron support bracket suited to the individual ceiling and roof design. The flange should not simply be fixed directly to combustible timber joists.
Bioethanol installation is generally simpler because the system does not require the same smoke-exhaust flue arrangement. However, that does not mean installation should be treated casually. Ventilation, clearances, flooring and safe fuel handling remain important considerations.
Think About Your Room Before Choosing
The room itself should influence your decision.
Ask yourself:
How large is the space?
Do you want wood-burning heat or a bioethanol flame?
Is there suitable structural support for a suspended fireplace?
What are the surrounding wall and flooring materials?
Can the required clearances be maintained?
Will the fireplace be installed indoors or in another suitable location?
Do you have the right ventilation or flue arrangement?
These practical questions are often more important than choosing a fireplace based purely on appearance.
Why Choose a Suspended Fireplace?
A suspended fireplace creates a different relationship between the fire and the room. Rather than being positioned directly on the floor or built into a wall, the fireplace hangs from above and can become a central architectural feature.
Zen Fireplaces describes its suspended designs as minimalist, with curved forms intended to work within contemporary interiors. Its wood-burning suspended models are also designed to provide approximately 7–8 kW of heat, while individual heating performance depends on the installation and property.
For homeowners who want something visually distinctive, both the bioethanol and wood-burning options offer that floating fireplace appearance.
Final Thoughts
Choosing between a bio ethanol fireplace, indoor wood fireplace and hanging ethanol fireplace ultimately comes down to lifestyle, fuel preference, installation conditions and how you want the fireplace to function in your home.
Bioethanol can offer a simpler flue arrangement and a clean-burning flame, while a wood-burning suspended fireplace provides the traditional experience of hardwood combustion and substantial heating capability. Either way, proper installation and following the manufacturer's instructions should be part of the decision from the beginning.
Zen Fireplaces offers both bioethanol and wood-burning suspended fireplace options, allowing homeowners to compare the designs and choose a solution suited to their space.