subject: Green Fuels For Fire Pits & Fireplaces - An Alternative To Wood Products [print this page] Green Fuels For Fire Pits & Fireplaces - An Alternative To Wood Products
Today's modern consumer is increasingly interested in all things green and Eco-friendly. For many products it can be hard to find environmentally friendly alternatives. However, for homeonwers with fireplaces, fire pits, and other indoor or outdoor fire accessories, it is easy to find Eco-friendly fuels to use in place of traditional wood and artificial log systems.
Three of the most common fuels include:
Gel Fuel
Bio-ethanol
Propane
Any one of these fuels is a great alternative to using real or artificial wood products in your fire pit or fireplace. It is important to note that whether you are using a wood product or a more environmentally friendly product, you must have a CO detector if you have an open fire accessory within the home.
Gel Fuel
This fuel has become incredibly popular over the last few years. It is a clean burning, alcohol-based fuel that is said to produce no fumes, smoke, odors, or soot. The fuel is used most often in ventless fireplaces but it can also be used in accessories like fire rocks. It is important to research brands as some users have noted that they have had incidents in which their CO detectors were set off or alcohol-like odors were emitted when they used gel fuel. However, numerous people use and love this clean fuel and have experienced no problems with it.
Bio-ethanol
Also known as ethanol, this fuel is derived from the fermentation of various plant starches. Plants such as fermented grain, sugar cane, and more can be used to create bio-ethanol. The environmentally friendly fuel produces a very minimal amount of smoke and fumes, and produces no soot or debris of any kind. Bio-ethanol is also often used in ventless fireplaces.
Propane
This is probably one of the most commonly used Eco-friendly fuels. With the popularization of products like propane fire pits and fire tables, the fuel is being used more and more often. Propane is also used to fuel things like barbecues, engines, and even central heating. Just like bio-ethanol propane produces a very minimal amount of smoke and fumes. The odorless fuel also does not leave behind any type of soot or debris.
Some homeowners use artificial wood logs with their gas fireplaces and fire pits. In these cases fire glass is a great alternative to artificial wood. Fire glass is a beautiful product that is also Eco-friendly, leaving behind no soot, smoke, or fumes. It is also reusable. It is a great replacement for artificial wood products which are known for occassionally containing asbestos which can be harmful if emitted into the air and inhaled over long periods of time.
