Gel fuel fireplaces, personal tabletop designs and fire bowls are popular additions to outdoor living and entertaining spaces. In addition to visual appeal, they can protect you, your family, and your guests from mosquitoes and other annoying insects. Many of these gel burners use a variety of fuels, which include canisters, pourable, BioEthanol, citronella and eucalyptus gel fuel.
You have a choice of basic fuels, bio ethanol gel or isopropyl fuel. Original fuel, isopropyl, performs better than bio ethanol fuel. However, the bio ethanol fuel is environmentally friendly. For a more specific comparison, Isopropyl has a brighter yellow flame and a louder, naturalistic crackle sound. The flame may dance approximately an inch higher than the flame generated from bio ethanol fuel. Isopropyl usually generates 3000 BTU’s per hour per can for three hours versus bio-ethanol gel which burns approximately three hours and emits 9000 BTU’s per hour.
These fuels tend to package in different size canisters and even in pourable form and can be intended to accommodate specific burners. However, certain manufacturers have made it possible to purchase pourable fuel which has identical ingredients having the same performance as the canisters do to refill the original canisters or empty cans can be purchased and used up to four times. This can be a beneficial savings in the long run because the pourable fuel along with empty cans tends to be cheaper. While some manufactures have made it possible to reuse the canisters, some manufactures have not. Pourable fuel being the cheapest way to purchase gel fuel, you should always follow manufacture guidelines with flammable fuels and check individual product labels for specific instructions to see if this option is available with your current choice of fuel. When buying cans or bottles of gel fuel, you will want to store it properly. Fuel should be stored in a dark location and in a cool location. The canisters and bottles are all packaged in DOT approved packaging for shipping and storing.
Alcohol gel fuel produces many of the benefits you will find from a natural fireplace, sound of crackling embers and the dancing yellow flame without the hassle of gathering wood and free from smoke that tends to shift direction with a slight wind. However there are some other benefits and alternative uses that aren’t available with wood burning fire. Pesky mosquitoes and irritating insects can ruin a relaxing evening outdoors. Using gel burners one has the option of using citronella or eucalyptus fuel to repel those unwanted nuances. Citronella traditionally has been a popular option with citronella lamps using a wick to offer light while burning the citronella oil. With these modern personal fireplaces, manufacturers have cleverly introduced citronella to their gel fuel to enhance the usability of their outdoor fireplaces. Addition to fighting off mosquitoes, another choice for defending your outdoor gather against insects is known as eucalyptus gel fuel. Specifically, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, which has been categorized by CDC and EPA as a “bio-pesticide repellent”, derived from natural materials being a environmentally friendly insect repellent. Found in the leaves and twigs of the eucalyptus plant, first registered as an insecticide in 1948 and used primarily in sprays and lotions.
Once you experience the enjoyment of using tabletop personal fireplaces and fire bowls along with the many other forms of burners available, you will experience the many benefits to enjoy the warmth and beauty of a fire without the smoke, ashes, or messiness of a traditional fireplace. Most fuel is safe for indoor and outdoor use. However with the exception to the type of fuel being used like citronella and eucalyptus gel fuel which is for outdoor use only. Citronella and eucalyptus fuel are excellent insect repellents and using either of these fuels will make the time you spend outdoors in the summer much more enjoyable. For particular uses, safeguard your family and you by following the manufacturer guidelines for the particular fuels and uses.
