In short
A tabletop bioethanol fireplace is a small manual burner under glass that burns 2 to 3.5 hours on one filling and gives 1 to 2.5 kW of warmth at arm's length. Indoors it works on any stable, heat-resistant table in a room of the specified minimum volume; outdoors it needs a windbreak, which is why glass-cylinder models such as Chantico Glassfire are the better terrace choice. The rules are the same everywhere: fireplace-grade fuel, never refill while warm, nothing flammable within the clearance.
Key takeaways
- Indoor use: any model, in a room of the minimum volume from the manual, on a heat-resistant surface.
- Outdoor use: choose a model with a glass cylinder or windshield; open bowls blow out and flare in wind.
- Burn time 2 to 3.5 hours per filling, heat 1 to 2.5 kW: warmth for the hands and the table, not room heating.
- Safety: fireplace-grade fuel, refuel only when cold, 1 metre from textiles, out of children's reach.
Tabletop fireplaces are the entry point to bioethanol fire: no installation, no power, a few kilograms, lit with a long lighter. The questions people ask are practical: can I use it inside, will it work on the balcony, does it heat, is it safe on a wooden table. Here are the answers, with the two models from our range as examples.
Indoor or outdoor: what changes
| Indoors | Outdoors | |
|---|---|---|
| Wind | none; any model | flame leans and flares; glass cylinder or windshield needed |
| Ventilation | minimum room volume from the manual (25 m³ for Lotus and Chantico) | unlimited |
| Heat you feel | pleasant at the table, warms a small room slightly | only at arm's length; a patio heater is for warming a terrace |
| Surface | stable, heat-resistant; a mat under the fire on wood | stable table, not on a plastic tablecloth |
| Storage | stays on the table | bring it in cold; do not leave fuel in the sun |
Two models, two jobs
Lotus: the open flame for the dining table
Lotus is a 4.5 kg bowl-shaped fireplace with a 1.5 litre tank, up to 3.5 hours of burn time and 2.5 kW. Its open flame looks best indoors on a dining or coffee table; outdoors it works on a sheltered terrace, not in a breeze.
Chantico Glassfire: the flame in a glass cylinder
Chantico Glassfire puts the same burner inside a tall glass cylinder: the glass protects the flame from wind and keeps hands away from it. 4.2 kg, 1.5 litres, up to 3.5 hours, 2.5 kW. Owners use it on balconies, garden tables and indoors alike; it is the model to choose if you want one fire for both.
How to use a tabletop fireplace safely
- Fuel: fireplace-grade bioethanol only, such as Fanola. Fill to the mark, never over it, and wipe any drops before lighting.
- Lighting: a long lighter or fireplace match, from the side, never leaning over the burner.
- Refuelling: only when the burner is cold. This is the one rule that prevents almost all accidents with manual burners.
- Clearances: about 1 metre from curtains, napkins and anything that burns; nothing above the flame.
- Children and pets: out of reach, never left burning unattended; the glass of Chantico helps but does not replace supervision.
- Extinguishing: with the lid or snuffer supplied, never with water. Let it cool before moving.
How much does it cost to run?
A 1.5 litre filling costs a few euros and lasts an evening at full flame, longer at a lower setting. There is nothing else to pay: no installation, no electricity, no maintenance beyond wiping the glass.
When a tabletop fire is not enough
If you want warmth you can feel across the room, step up to a freestanding stove: 3.5 to 4 kW, automatic ignition and sensors on BEV models, up to 20 hours per tank. Compare them in our ranking of freestanding bioethanol stoves. For heating a terrace, a gas patio heater does what no table fire can.
FAQ
Can I use a tabletop bioethanol fireplace indoors?
Yes. It is ventless and smoke-free; keep the minimum room volume from the manual and air the room occasionally.
Does a tabletop fire work on a balcony?
With a glass cylinder, yes. Open bowls are for sheltered spots only. Check house rules for open flame on balconies.
How long does it burn?
2 to 3.5 hours per filling depending on model and flame height.
Can I put it on a wooden table?
Yes, on a stable table; a heat-resistant mat under the fireplace protects sensitive finishes.
Planika Team, October 2026. Burn times and outputs are from the technical specifications on the product pages; all tabletop models are in the tabletop fireplaces collection.
