Fire power

Burning passion leads to eco-friendly portable fireplaces

~ By Carolyn Snyder.

John Foxx/Stockbyte/Thinkstock

They’re not so big that they overwhelm, yet they’re still able to provide mesmerizing flames and comforting warmth. Fueled by bioethanol, portable fireplaces are ventless, smokeless and environmentally friendly. The alcohol-based fuel, be it liquid or gel, burns cleanly, creating a real flame and a crackling noise – just like wood but without the smoke. And there’s the gratification of an instant fire with no mess.

They move with relative ease from indoors to out – handy when you’re ready to pull the party inside – and range in size from tabletop models to statement-makers. Prices start at $19.99 for a tabletop ceramic fire pot at Orchard Supply Hardware to upward of $2,000.*

* A 24-pack of gel fuel (13-ounce cans) starts at $68.24 and is widely available online and in stores; each can burns up to 2½ hours. Twelve 1-quart bottles of Brasa fuel online costs $60; each bottle provides up to two hours of bright flames.

Visual sizzle

The sleek 4-foot-tall cone-shaped Hausfire by Modfire is designed to direct heat and provide a modern centerpiece for your indoor or outdoor space. The Eco-smart burner uses ethanol, puts out a toasty 5,800 BTUs and is seated in a bowl of beautiful fireglass. In natural steel or Ultra-lounge White, Avocado, Azure, Maraschino or Tangerine. $2,250. ABA Hearth and Home, 1499 Laurel Street, San Carlos, or modfire.com.

Lantern light

Extend your outdoor living season and enjoy a real fire in the “Sierra” from Real Flame. The 29-inch-tall unit is made from powder-coated steel, glass and hand-painted cast concrete and comes with decorative lava rock and a protective cover. A slide-out drawer holds up to four cans of gel fuel. $299. realflame.com; also sold at Home Depot, Target, OSH and other stores.

Tranquility hearth

This fanciful name is an apt description for works of art created by Jamil Khayrulin, co-owner of Great American Framing in Palo Alto, from slate, marble, wood, copper and brass. Used as a table centerpiece, the hearth burns cleaner than candles, according to Khayrulin. And it provides a cozy ambience for romantic evenings or dramatic flair for your next party. 20 pounds. $500 and up. Great American, 229 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, or Jaytekdesign.com/flame.

Angle of repose

New Orleans-based Brasa Fire’s “Camden” has a unique asymmetrical shape. A glass backing means you can place the portable unit against a wall. It comes with a Slim Burner with Brasa home fragrance system, long lighter and control wand tool. 23.75 inches high by 20 inches wide by 10.5 inches deep. In silver or slate. $585. Amazon.com, Allmodern.com and other online vendors.

Floating island

German manufacturer Buschbeck is renowned for its bioethanol fireboxes. The “Boston” from the Fire Dance series by designer Michael Grebe provides up to four hours of romantic “fire art” indoors or out. The black-finished steel and glass unit weighs 38 pounds and measures 17.5 inches high by 29.5 inches wide by 12.5 inches deep. $799.99. Allmodern.com.

Fired up

Enliven any space with this Wesley Indoor/Outdoor Portable Fireplace, which fits conveniently on a patio, floor or table and provides instant relaxation. It holds two cans of gel fuel to provide a rich, fiery glow (each can lasts up to three hours on a single burn and puts off up to 3,000 BTUs). 20.25 inches high by 24 inches wide by 8.25 inches deep. $113.99. Overstock.com.