Ethanol Fireplaces: A Glossary of Useful Terms

Adjustable Flame An adjustable flame is a flame that is able to be adjusted by restricting the amount of ethanol vapors that are being introduced into the fuel reservoir; thus adjusting the flame in size and appearance.

Approximate Burn Time The approximate time that an ethanol fireplace will stay alight when ethanol fuel is actively burning in the reservoir. For example: The approximate burn time of an IGNIS® EB1200 Burner Insert is 5 - 9 hours.

Bay Style A Bay Style Fireplace is a fireplace that is visible from 3 sides. This is also commonly associated with a "C-Shaped" fireplace.

BITR By adding BITR, a bittering agent, a third level of defense is built into the fuel to prevent the harm of children or pets that may reside in the household.

BTU Is an acronym for British Thermal Unit (BTU) which is defined as: the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of o =ne pound of water one degree Fahrenheit at a specified temperature (such as 39°F). For example, an IGNIS® EB2400 Burner Insert will produce approximately 12,700 BTUs of heat.

Carbon-Dioxide All ethanol burners will produce trace amounts of Carbon-Dioxide, this is a greenhouse gas that is natural to the environment. This gas is not harmful when using Ethanol Burners due to the extremely low amounts that are produced when burning Ethanol Fuel. This in turn allows it to be an eco-friendly solution when compared to other hazardous gases such as natural gas or propane which may be harmful to the environment and your household if a leak were to occur.

Carbon-Steel Carbon steel is a special type of steel that has a higher concentration of carbon than other types of steel. This is an alloy metal that primarily consists of carbon and iron, which makes it significantly stronger than other types of steel.

Ceramic Media Is a mesh-like material, composed of ceramic materials that absorbs fuel, while allowing the ethanol vapors to be available for combustion. This is the "medium" for the Spill-proof technology found in all IGNIS® Ventless Ethanol Fireplaces.

Class B Fire Extinguisher Class B fires involve flammable and combustible liquids such as gasoline, alcohol, oil-based paints, lacquers. Therefore, extinguishers with a B rating are designed to extinguish fires involving flammable and combustible liquids such as bio-ethanol fuel that is required for all ethanol burners to operate.

Clearance Is defined as: the distance by which one object clears another or the clear space between them. For example, the minimum overhead clearance for a bio-ethanol burner insert manufactured by IGNIS® Development is 30" inches from the top of the bio-ethanol burner.

Code Enforcement Code Enforcement is the prevention, detection, investigation and enforcement of violations of statutes or ordinances regulating public health, safety, and welfare, public works, business activities and consumer protection, building standards, land-use, or municipal affairs. Due to the variety of different codes in buildings and municipalities globally, IGNIS® Development INC, cannot attest to each individual code.

Combustible Is a material that has the ability to burn easily or catch on fire. Examples of combustible material include, but are not limited to: gasoline, propane, paper, clothing, plastics, and wood.

Concrete Backer Board Is a board that is primarily composed of concrete or cement. Concrete Backer Board is typically used as an added layer of protection when installing ethanol fireplaces due to it's ability to absorb the heat transfer given off by an ethanol burning fireplace. Popular brands are Durock®, Hardie Board®, and Wonder Board®.

Cooling Period Is the time between the initial extinguishing of the ethanol flame. The minimum time for an ethanol burner manufactured by IGNIS® is 20 minutes before re-igniting the flame. This cooling period is to allow adequate time for the ethanol vapors to fully dissipate from the burner before bio-ethanol fuel is entered in the chamber once again.

Cubic Feet Is the cubic footage in found in a certain area of space like a living room or bedroom. Cubic Footage is found by multiplying Length x Width x Height. For example, the cubic footage found in a 20' x 15' x 10' room is 3000 Cubic Feet (ft³).

Cutout A cutout is a hole designated for the insertion of an object.

Damper Tool A Damper Tool is a tool that comes with all IGNIS® Ethanol Fireplaces in which the primary function is used to open the ethanol burner or close it. This tool is included as to prevent the physical touching of the ethanol burner which may be extremely hot, especially after use.

Decorative Media Is a decorative feature that enhances the visual appearance of a fireplace. All of our decorative media is composed of ceramic material that further adds onto the safety of placing this decorative feature near the open flame. We offer media such as: 9 & 8 - Piece Log Sets, and pebbles that are offered in colors of white, black, and grey. NOTE: Decorative Media should never be introduced into the open flame itself, but placed around the open flame.

Double-Sided Fireplace A double-sided fireplace, is a fireplace that is open on both sides. This is also commonly known as a "see -through" fireplace, or a "two-sided" fireplace.  

Double Wall Construction All IGNIS® Bio-Ethanol Burners are constructed with two layers of high quality stainless steel. This dual protection system insulates the ethanol fuel to ensure the safety of the surrounding area. Coupled with our spill proof technology, IGNIS® Ethanol Burners are the safest solution on the market.

Electrodeposition Is the process in which a metal is annodized and the oxidation of the metal that darkens the metal. It should be noted that this is different from powder coating a metal.

Emergency Damper The Emergency Damper tool is featured with our EB range of bio-ethanol fireplaces. The purpose of the emergency damper tool, is that in the very rare case that you cannot extinguish the flame through normal means; the emergency damper tool can be used to snuff out the flame in event of an emergency.

Ethanol Burner Insert An ethanol burner insert is an insert that is composed of high grade 304/430 Grade Stainless Steel. All IGNIS® Classic Ethanol Burner Fireplace Inserts are manually operated and feature a ceramic media inside of the burner that absorbs and retains the ethanol fuel that is required for operation. The Ethanol Burner Insert is designed to burn ethanol fuel which is a renewable fuel source and allows for an eco-friendly application within your desired location.

Ethanol Firebox Insert Is a fireplace that is designed for applications of commercial and residential use. Due to the IGNIS® Insulant & Airflow System that impedes heat transfer between the firebox and surround, making it a safe fireplace insert for new constructions, renovations, or custom furniture pieces. The firebox should be built at the same time as a wall or cabinet as a base must be constructed for the firebox. The firebox features two fireplace inserts: Classic Burner Insert (Manually Operated) or a Smart Burner Insert (Automatically Operated).

Ethanol Fireplace An ethanol fireplace is an appliance used for the combustion of liquid ethanol fuel. Ethanol Fireplaces may also be referred to as bio ethanol fireplaces, bioethanol fireplaces, or biofuel fireplaces. There is no difference in meaning, as they all use liquid ethanol fireplace fuel. 

Extinguishing To cause a fire or light to cease burn or shine.

Flame Arrestor Is Flame arresters are passive, mechanical devices installed on a storage tank nozzle or in a vapor piping system. Its primary function is to allow gases to pass through during normal operating conditions, but stop a flame in order to prevent an explosion or fire propagation under emergency situations.

Flame Height This is the height of the flame. Typically bio-ethanol fireplaces will have a flame height of 8" to 14". NOTE: Flame Height may vary on other factors such as any forced air, amount of fuel available, and where the fireplace is located/placed.

Flame Length The length of the flame itself. For example: The flame length for an EHB3600 Ventless Ethanol Fireplace Insert is 32" from left to right.

Flammable Is a material or object that is easily set on fire.

Fireplace Lighter A fireplace lighter is a tool used to ignite the fuel. An example of a fireplace lighter is: a grill lighter or long lighter. A long match can also be used to ignite the fireplace. 

Fire Retardant A fire retardant is a substance that is used to slow down or stop the spread of fire or reduce its intensity.

Fuel Capacity The amount of fuel that a bio-ethanol fuel is able to hold. For example the maximum fuel capacity of an EB4800 Bio Ethanol Insert is 15 liters. The amount of ethanol fuel that is required for combustion is 5 liters.

Fueling Is the process in which bio-ethanol fuel is introduced into the reservoir. 

Funnel A funnel is a tool that comes with all IGNIS® Ethanol Fireplaces that allows for a safe pour of the IGNIS® ethanol fuel. The funnel prevents spillage of the ethanol fuel which may light during combustion.

Grade 304 Stainless Steel The stainless alloy resists most oxidizing acids and can withstand all ordinary rusting. This grade is easy to form and fabricate with excellent resistance to corrosion. It is a nonmagnetic steel. All of our Classic Ethanol Burners, Recessed/Wall Mounted fireplaces, Freestanding, Ethanol Fireboxes are composed of Grade 304 Stainless Steel, making them an idea solution for indoor or outdoor use.

Grade 430 Stainless Steel The stainless steel has good corrosion resistance in mildly corrosive environments and good resistance to oxidation at elevated temperatures. This stainless alloy is magnetic. This makes the Grade 430 Stainless Steel suitable for indoor/residential use only.

Heat Output Is measured in BTU (British Thermal Units) and measures the amount of heat produced in units of measure.

Igniting The process of causing a fire or light to burn or shine.

Lead time The time it takes from the initiation and completion of a production process. For example, the lead time for an IGNIS® 48" Smart Ethanol Burner Insert is 3 - 4 weeks.

Mantel Is a shelf that is commonly located above a fireplace opening.

Manually Operated The process of operating a fireplace manually or by hand; not automatic. For example, all IGNIS® Freestanding Fireplaces are manually ignited, filled, and extinguished.

Minimum Required Space This is the minimum required space for safe operation of an Ethanol Fireplace. For example, the minimum require space for an IGNIS® Ardella Recessed Bio-Ethanol Fireplace is 3,600 Cubic Feet (ft³).

Open Flame Is a flame that is exposed to the surrounding area temporarily. 

Power Coated Powder coating is a dry coating process used as a metal finish mostly on industrial equipment.

Recessed Is set or built in a recess in the surrounding wall or surface. For example, the IGNIS® Quadra Black - Recessed Ethanol Fireplace is a fireplace designed to be recessed into the wall.

Renewable Fuel Source Renewable energy, also referred to as clean energy, comes from natural sources or processes that are being constantly replenished. For example, our IGNIS® Bio-Ethanol Fuel is derived from corn. Corn is a natural agricultural plant that can be grown yearly, thus being renewable for years to come while being environmentally friendly and producing no greenhouse gases.

Seismic Shift Sensor Is a safety feature that comes standard with all IGNIS® Smart Ethanol Burner Inserts. For example, if someone were to bump into the fireplace or unexpected movement of the fireplace were to occur while the fireplace is in operation; it will automatically shut off.

Single-sided Firebox A single-sided firebox or "one-sided" firebox is a firebox that is visible on one side. 

Smart Electronic Burner A Smart Electronic Burner is a burner that is automatically operated. The IGNIS® Smart Ethanol Fireplace Burner Insert can be paired with Amazon Alexa® or Google Home®, as well as a "hard" or "dry connection" featuring Smart Home systems such as Savant®, Crestron®, or Control4®. They also feature safety features such as a Child Lock System and Seismic Shift Detection. All Smart Burners are powered by a standard 120V outlet which is found in most homes today. 

Spill-Proof Technology Located within the bio-ethanol burner inserts, is a ceramic media that absorbs the ethanol while making it readily available for ignition at any given time. This also prevents accidental spillage which may occur if the ethanol burner is tipped or bumped into.

Studs Are vertical structural support beams commonly found in every household today as a standard construction feature. 

UL Listing Underwriters' Laboratories, or UL as it is universally known, tests and evaluates components and products that allows a certification mark to be placed by the manufacturer.

Ventless Fireplace Is a fireplace that is designed to not require any ventilation such as that of a vented gas, propane, or traditional wood burning fireplace. All IGNIS Fireplaces are designed to be ventless eliminating the need for flues, chimneys, pipes, and ventilation of any kind.

Wall Mounted A Wall Mounted fireplace is a fireplace that is designed to be mounted onto the wall. The typical application for a Wall Mounted wall is that it is hung like "a picture". The wall is typically finished and the unit is added after the fully 

Well Ventilated Thoroughly ventilated. To provide a plentiful supply of fresh air; well-aired. For example, the room was well ventilated because there are multiple windows open in the home, providing fresh air throughout a home.

Zero-Clearance Means that there is no required distance from combustible materials from the firebox.