Buying guide
Gas, electric or bioethanol?
| Fuel | What you need | Heat | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gas | A gas supply and, for most models, a suitable chimney or flue. Fitted by a Gas Safe registered engineer. | 1.3kW to 4.1kW on our Ekofires range | Main room heat in a home with a chimney |
| Electric | A plug socket. No chimney, flue or gas. | Up to 2kW on the Adam Helios and Colorado | Any room, including flats and new builds |
| Bioethanol | No chimney, flue or wiring. Burns bottled bioethanol and needs the ventilation the maker sets out. | 3kW on the Adam Quatro Large | A real flame where there is no chimney |
Hole in the wall fires
A hole in the wall fire is an inset fire set straight into a recess with no surround or mantel, for a minimal, modern finish. Slimline gas fires such as the Ekofires 3010, 3015 and 3020, and the slimline electric fires, suit the look best. For a gas fire the recess has to be built around a suitable flue, and the fascia and surrounding wall must meet the clearances in the installation instructions.
Slimline or full depth?
Slimline fires need the least depth: the Ekofires 3010 and 3015 have a 108mm firebox. Full depth fires such as the Ekofires 3060 and 3065 need around 250mm and suit a traditional brick chimney. See slimline fires and full depth gas fires to compare.
Installation and safety
- Gas fires must by law be installed by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and should be serviced every year. Fit a carbon monoxide alarm in the room.
- Flueless gas fires, such as the Ekofires 5510, need a permanent air vent and a minimum room size set by the manufacturer.
- Electric fires plug into a standard socket. Plug them straight into the wall rather than an extension lead.
- Bioethanol fires should only be refuelled when the flame is out and the burner is cool, with fuel stored away from heat.
Shop by fuel with inset gas fires, inset electric fires or bioethanol fires. Need a surround to finish it? See fireplace surrounds and suites.