What does a bioethanol fire cost to run in Australia?
A four-hour evening with a bioethanol fire costs roughly A$6 to A$36 in fuel in Australia, depending on the burner and how high you run the flame. Here are the numbers for each fire.
Bioethanol fuel costs roughly A$5 to A$8 a litre in Australia, depending on pack size and delivery. A suspended fire uses about 0.3 to 1.1 litres an hour, so a four-hour evening costs roughly A$6 to A$36 in fuel. Smaller burners and a lower flame sit at the bottom of that range; the largest burners on a high flame sit at the top.
What fuel costs
Prices from Australian online suppliers in November 2026:
- 5 litres: about A$32
- 20 litres: about A$103 to A$160, depending on the supplier and whether delivery is included
That works out to about A$5 to A$8 a litre. Buying 20 litres at a time brings the cost per litre down. See where to buy bioethanol fuel in Australia.
Fuel use and cost for each fire
Fuel use is worked out from each burner's tank size and burn time per fill. A higher flame burns faster.
| Fire | Tank | Burn time a fill | Fuel use | 4-hour evening |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cocoon Aeris | 1.5 L | up to 5 hours | about 0.3 L/h or more | about A$6 to A$10 |
| Naked Flame Sphere | 5 L | 10 to 13 hours | about 0.4 to 0.5 L/h | about A$8 to A$16 |
| Curve 90, Orbit, Silo | 7 L | 9 to 12 hours | about 0.6 to 0.8 L/h | about A$12 to A$25 |
| Iconic 900 | 6.5 L | up to 10 hours | about 0.65 L/h or more | about A$13 to A$21 or more |
| Naked Flame Curve 120 | 9 L | 8 to 13 hours | about 0.7 to 1.1 L/h | about A$14 to A$36 |
The Planika Pillar is made to your ceiling height, so we confirm its fuel use with your quote.
Cost of a full tank
At A$5 to A$8 a litre, filling a 5 L tank costs about A$25 to A$40, a 7 L tank about A$35 to A$56 and a 9 L tank about A$45 to A$72. A full tank lasts one to three evenings depending on how long you run it.
A typical winter
As a worked example: a 7 L burner run for four hours, four nights a week, over a 16-week winter uses about 150 to 200 litres. At A$5 to A$8 a litre that is about A$750 to A$1,600 for the season. Run it less often or on a lower flame and it costs less.
Other running costs
- No gas bill, no electricity for manual burners. The Planika Pillar uses a small amount of power for its pump and controls.
- No chimney sweep. There is no flue to clean and no ash to empty.
- Cleaning. Wipe the burner and firebox occasionally when cold.
How to keep costs down
- Choose the right size burner for the room. An oversized burner on a low setting still uses more fuel. See our size guide.
- Run the flame lower once the room is warm.
- Buy fuel in 20 litre lots.
- Put the fire out when you leave the room.
Common questions
How much does it cost to run a bioethanol fireplace per hour?
Roughly A$1.50 to A$9 an hour in Australia, depending on the burner and flame height. A mid-size 7 L burner costs about A$3 to A$6 an hour.
Is bioethanol cheaper than gas?
Per unit of heat, usually not. A bioethanol fire is chosen for the flame and the fact it needs no gas line or chimney, not as the cheapest heating. See bioethanol vs gas.
How long does a litre of bioethanol last?
About one to three hours, depending on the burner and flame height.
Fuel prices are from Australian online suppliers in November 2026 and will change. Burn times are from the makers' figures.