Cheap Ethanol Fireplace For Camper Vans - Test Video

[@Rockhopper1]

my van had a maritime ethanol stove for cooking on, it had two canisters lasted me for ages, the only problem was sometimes it had a invisible flame. I loved it.

[@Rockhopper1]

forgot to mention above I made a activated carbon extractor it had a silica scrubber as well.

[@davidpiper3652]

I have been thinking about this for a few minutes and have concluded that I could not risk naked flame heating. The balanced flue is the only safe option.

[@markharris1845]

Great assessment indeed. I have a 9Kw multi-fuel wood/coal burner in my small house, which really keeps me warm. But my £33 ethanol burner from Amazon is a great table top accessory and I see a further 2-3 deg. C improvement when running it. It it a great 'effect' fire and I have loads of guests asking about it and where I got it from. That itself is priceless although I do agree with you that it likes to get through the fuel. But for me, at least, this is a great secondary source of heating.

[@groundbeef662]

Just found you .. that has to be the best channel name on the whole of Hugh Tube !

[@angelatbluehairedsudios8106]

Someone just gifted me one because I'm starting FT (mini) van life. Thanks for this info. I'm still not convinced in a small space but it is a smaller alcohol stove. It'll be fun camping anyway! And or Emergency heat.

[@mikeclifton7778]

I hadn't seen these before and it looks like it could be ideal for my camper - I started the conversion to be a day van - four or five seats, cooker and fridge so days out can give us somewhere to make a brew, sit and chat etc. Mission creep now means it's got a Rib Altair bed so it could be useful as overnight accommodation to but I didn't install a heater. This looks ideal for the odd times when we need a bit of background heat without breaking the bank, they're on Ebay for under £50 and 12 litres of Ethanol for £39. Great video, covered all the basics and delivered well as usual.

[@HughTube]

Cheers Mike, just make sure that if in use its installed safely and that you have a CO alarm!

[@davidjacobs828]

​@@HughTube hi ,new subscriber here, great video ,can you post a link to this heater please ?

[@daviddickson3181]

I’d be interested to see this perhaps used to heat storage heater bricks as not to prolong the open flame and reduce ethanol costs and increase the overall heat output.

[@pa_maj.MARTINI-van-MAN]

David, the storage heater bricks would actually take some heat away from the fire until they eventually heat up to give back once the fire is out. They would help give some extra radiant heat rather than convection. I've heated a storage brick on my cooker/hob, then placed it beside me to see how well it heated and lasted. I was very hot after one hour on the hob and stayed warmish for around four hours, I was not as impressed as I though I would have been unfortunately but this could work well enough during sleep to keep the chill out. You may fair better. I like my Eberspacher very much but I don't like how it consumes my battery, it's great on diesel until I have to use extra diesel, driving to charge my battery in winter. Finding a Good solution has been a thorn in my side. Anyway David, I hope you find something that suits your needs, I just stay home in winter, toasty warm and spoiled hehe, getting old and like the comfort, I've roughed it plenty enough!

[@SewingBoxDesigns]

Very cool. I think is a definite add to the enjoyment of the RV/Van life lifestyle. Thank you for the info!

[@gordsjackson8109]

I have been using one for years. Ventilation as with anything that burns is essential. I have one in an old wood burner too in the house and it surprisingly works well to take the chill out the room. If you close it too tightly though it will occasionally puff out a flame. And the bottom does get hot. It’s a great little back up for some heat if needed and your not using large gas tanks in your vehicle 😂

[@johnemmons9087]

Gotta redesign this to an alcohol jet stove like the mini soda can stoves. Uses less fuel. Thank you!

[@victoryfirst2878]

Look up Robert Murray video on alcohol stove. You will be surprised as to how efficient the design works.

[@MrNugget425]

Another great alternative video Hugh, thank you for sharing and taking the time to make the vid.

[@NorthcoastPatty]

I purchased a tiny wood stove from ETSY. I use an ethanol burner similar to yours in it. Something to be aware of: Do not relight the burner while it is still hot. I made that mistake. Thank goodness the only thing exposed to the giant fire flare was my right arm which had all the hair singed off in a flash. I would not feel safe burning this thing not secured in a wood burner with a latched door. It gets plenty hot enough to cook on.

[@wordwealth7014]

Would love to see a photo

[@xgymratx]

I been thinking of doing same thing for my BEDROOM lol.....with an external air source and secondary or catalytic burn to get most out of glame before it goes up flue and using alcohol/ethanol burner as well

[@jenniferpetrellicarslearni2265]

Omg, thank goodness that you are ok! Could you please post a picture of the wood stove that you have with the ethanol burner in it?

[@rustyholt6619]

in the u.s. denatured alcohol is $20 a gal. not cheep , but used a lot in sailboats for cooking /heat

[@ryanferris7841]

The condensation is the problem with those! However it has it pros

[@ifell3]

If you could also keep it in a container to slow down the ethanol evaporating when not in use it might be handy to use here and there.

[@HughTube]

Theres a great video of someone, might be in Canada, who designed basically a stove but for candles that allowed him to heat the air and also vent the burnt fumes from the candles. I think in combo with one of these would be an amazing addition to a van

[@Noniinthebush]

I’ve been using a large version of this with thick glass sides in my house for years! I paid $40 AUD best thing I’ve ever bought. Heats my small cottage every winter. 1 litre lasts about 3 hours which is all we need.

[@bizzweed]

Loving the test!

[@RustyRoseAdventures]

I think this is a very cool idea, maybe as sort of a daytime or having friends round heating, nice to watch much like a wood burner but as you say much easier to install.

[@raymanmufasa]

Was looking for a bioethanol fire place and only come accross Hugh .... my man hope all is well!! Great Vid!

[@losingbaggage]

Condensation nightmare. Used an origo cooker with pan heat diffuser in previous van for heat. Great heat but terrible condensation and also headaches without setting off carbon monoxide detector.

[@HughTube]

Thanks for sharing! I was wondering whether long term exposure would result in and effects. Although they say no flue is needed I think GOOD ventilation is a must

[@pa_maj.MARTINI-van-MAN]

@@HughTube That's the problem Hugh, isn't it, turn the heating up and open the windows more; there goes more £$s out that window adding to the expense. I've got one solution...A Campsite once a week, charge up six leisure batteries and have a long shower, no driving to charge leisure batteries during the week and you've had one GOOD wash a week 😆, Eberspacher dry heat heaven. Financially and for efficiency in general, I bet this is probably the best way overall when living in a van through the winter. A van travelled in by one person, designed for two or three usually in the front...75kg+75kg=150kg missing, so, sticking four batteries up front isn't any heavier than one person of average size. The other two batteries can stay in the back. 50 usable amp hours every day for six days, then, one day in the camp site sounds good to me. Use electric kettle, hob and heater that day...independently of-course as not to trip their electric but also save your gas and diesel. The amount of fuel used driving in winter to charge low batteries is ridiculous and most often inconvenient is it not. Anyway, I made a bioethanol fire/stove Hugh, I thought it was great until I noticed how thirsty it was too when achieving a nice flame 😮 Definitely nice for a treat now and then though.

[@salan3]

To me the problem with any naked flame is moisture.(as when cooking etc). That could be a problem long term especially in high humid countries (e.g.UK). Always a problem.

[@HughTube]

Yes definitely, as mentioned it could be a good backup rather than the main source.

[@matthewspry4217]

It's great for additional heat or where other sources are not an option.

[@steveoz32]

We’ve been using these at home in fireplaces for a few years. The downside is they are expensive, it is currently £40 for 12 litres (used to be about £25). 1 litre will last three hours of heat. One of our rooms we use a fireplace in is probably 10x the sqft of the back of our van though, so should hopefully heat the space quicker. In our rooms we normally have metal fireplace and I put heatproof glass at the back, the flame also heats the glass and acts almost like a radiator. You do meed to crack open a window as they should be used in ventilated spaces, but they still heat the space. Even the unscented smell especially when you put the flame out. I have been thinking of buying one for the van, but it’ll have to be in a glass case with a door of some sort for safety.

[@eduardomaldonado1647]

why not use Isopropyl alcohol it is a hell of alot cheaper then Ethanol. 4 gallons is 68 dollars.

[@jenniferpetrellicarslearni2265]

​@@eduardomaldonado1647 alcohol doesn't burn as clean as ethanol. People have tried using 70% alcohol. Unfortunately the 70% causes a lot of soot and some people have even had to throw their things out. Not sure how much soot is in the 91. I buy the regular ethanol because I find the alcohol at 91% is just as expensive, but the ethanol burns much cleaner.

[@jenniferpetrellicarslearni2265]

Can you please tell me where you get heat proof glass from and do you know if it comes in different sizes?

[@tenij000]

gives way more heat then other ways else fent all heat out second if battery dies in winter still got a heating option

[@denisbassom172]

Awesome test and review, thanks

[@malcolmchannel4264]

Good idea I run my diesel heater on red diesel it cost me about £20 a week for round 8-10 hours on low

[@Dirt-Diggler]

Ethenol stoves allways burn stronger when warned up because the heat vaporises the ethenol so the mixture alters closer to stoich or the perfect burn mixture with the air 👍 I use one when tent camping 😁 i also use meths but it smells way more and stains ☹️

[@HughTube]

Thanks for the info! yeah i agree the meths version is just unpleasant for me to smell

[@underhiversunderconstructi290]

Just found your channel, enjoying going through the videos and came across this one. I know it's a year old but do you have a link for this specific model or one similar?

[@terrychard6838]

Hi Hugh, great video heater looks very good does the bottom of the metal box get hot.

[@whisthpo]

If you want dry air heating with Propane please consider Propex Heatsource. Talking about Ethanol Stoves see.... Robert Murray-Smith 1750 DIY Ethanol Stove - Easy, Simple, Cheap. 2125 Converting A Wood Burning Stove To An Alcohol Stove

[@Daz5Daz]

What was the advertised kW rating of the burner you tested?

[@gadois8674]

their can be issues/have been accidents with ignition of alcohol vapour, esp in closed space when lighting heater so - > Never fill/refill warm/hot heater container. Risks. Naked flame. Products of burning Ethanol are H2O and CO2 - get ready for those issues

[@lapinfurax615]

Thanx for video ! Why don t you use ethanol on fuell station ? It s half the price and it s ethaol too !!

[@kronos4136]

I see this as perhaps a temporary stand in should a diesel heater pack up. I suspect this video will bring out all the budding 'Fire Chiefs' in the comments. I don't see these as dangerous given the open flame. I would probably make a taller surround for three sides just to help contain the flames better, but there's no denying the heat output as being a serious consideration for smaller vans too where it would work very well.

[@HughTube]

Yeah and with cost per hour I still hold at them being good to have as a backup just in case

[@clivewitney3557]

Had one of these sitting on a fireplace with good ventilation, gave off a lot of fumes was uncomfortable. Instructions do identify good ventilation required, how much was debatable.

[@chrisrynn1]

I've been using bioethanol in trangia stoves to heat my van for years. The only worry I ever had was if some idiot crashed into me, then flaming fuel would go everywhere. Of course, trangia stoves hold a lot less. And cost a lot less.

[@HughTube]

that would such a bad day if someone hit you while that was running. How do you vent the fumes?

[@chrisrynn1]

No need to vent bioethanol, as it burns cooler and produces very little CO, but having said that, there is a roof fan. I normally crack the front windows open a bit, too. Plus, it's a 21 year old LDV school bus, so I couldn't hermetically seal it even if I wanted to. When I drive it faster than 50mph, I can feel the wind on my right leg, through a gap in the door. :-)

[@KrzysztofChrzaszcz]

Good bio ethanol burner have wool insert which absorbs the fuel and if the burner falls over, the fuel will not spill

[@internettrotterinavan9943]

Hi, i have suggestion and i m open to your comments and ideas : Frozen temperature of Ethanol is -114C. Let consider this emergency heater system to warm the van until temperature come enough high to charge the lithium batteries. Necessary to do correct ventilation to avoid CO/CO2. What we can do to avoid naked flames and spread the heat ?

[@JARISHA100]

Hi how do you refill the fireplace with wick

[@GregWorzel]

What model is this? I have been looking for a very long time for an alcohol fireplace that will burn for longer than an hour. This one looks like what I've been looking for.

[@LabFan369]

Hi Hugh, where do you get your little sliding window from ?

[@HughTube]

vanwindowsdirect.co.uk

[@pa_maj.MARTINI-van-MAN]

It's definitely a rather expensive form of heat Hugh.

[@HDsharp]

Could you use methanol for fuel instead of ethanol instead?

[@funkydozer]

Was thinking about one of these but as most of my van is clad in beeswaxed spruce I would rather avoid naked flames in there, especially an alcohol flame that is almost invisible. Still want a Wallas XC Duo, but the price is ridiculously prohibitive, and getting worse every year.

[@errolmagill1611]

That was interesting, though I would still be afraid of fumes and naked flame. On another matter; any chance of an in dept tour of your van build?

[@HughTube]

I am looking to refurb my shower but yes for sure. Have some ideas for mods over spring too!

[@ashtonwoodturnings225]

Could you use this in a shed ?

[@KrzysztofChrzaszcz]

Yes why not

[@steveffuksake]

Don't you need a tile underneath and some kind of tin above it,its a big flame and not very high ceiling😮

[@oloyang431]

What is that white material that holds the ethanol? Does anyone know?

[@christopheuhlin7309]

It's ceramic wool available online though most burners are sold with some in it. Alternatively can use ecoss which is the filling wool in loft insulating rolls which is what I use. Make sure that it is non combustible organic wool and made from silica NOT sheep wool.

[@JARISHA100]

Hello what it smells like

[@KrzysztofChrzaszcz]

Good bio ethanol fuel is not giving any smell or smoke

[@michealgillman7418]

Every flame burns oxygen..Good luck!

[@peterlovink2642]

the use of ethanol is very dangerous. when ethanol burns, it's hard to get it out again. it is also not always visible when it burns. in the racing world they use special heat resistant racing suits. it is better to use a diesel heater or gas heater, but also that they are professionally installed.

[@Happytruth]

Diesel is a filthy form of fuel one of the worst bio ethanol is clean in fact it’s cleanest fuel there is!

[@fuxaplexlegends9028]

I was actually thinking something like this > kzbin.info/www/bejne/ZpjYpp-pg7iEjrc would be the best heater for a Van. I was thinking you could modify it so it could burn anything. You could have exchangeable elements inside one that burned Ethanol one that burned oil, one that burned straight wood. So, no matter what heat source you had access too you could always burn something. But, Idk. I do not live in a van and I do not have a youtube channel. Maybe you could do a video on making one with exchangeable elements.

[@albertanasoul]

haha, I was just watching this same video about a week ago. It has potential for sure!

[@samuelfox8126]

Burning alcohol produces CO2 and water vapor.

[@Freespeechunion1]

Ethereum 👍

[@RemusKingOfRome]

I would never allow any open flame in my van, like I never allow candles in my house.

[@HughTube]

interesting about the candles, for you is it just naked flame dangers or burning of paraffin?

[@RemusKingOfRome]

@@HughTube .. flames, too dangerous

[@darrylperkins7342]

🌺 P"R"O"M"O"S"M!!!

[@medwayhospitalprotest]

Ugh comments about fire safety are so annoying. Obviously OBVIOUSLY if you have a big dog bouncing around, small children, or your vehicle is unstable then its probably not a good idea. I would hope these considerations are obvious to all watching 🙄 IF not, just stay home under the duvet the rest of your life. Plainly you need somewhere safe to place your ethanol fire and to store the fuel.

[@kevgermany]

Not keen on the idea. Highly flammable fuel badly stored is a fire risk. And it isn't just carbon monoxide, it is CO2 and oxygen depletion, so suffocation risk. Then there's the other by product of combustion. Water....

[@HughTube]

totally understandable, as mentioned near the end for me I would only use as a backup if all else is not working

[@alanford2099]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqetepZomKaMi6s

[@disclosed2229]

Hi, are you still alive? Although these don't produce carbon monoxide, they produce vast amounts of carbon dioxide. Not suitable for small enclosed spaces or even small invented rooms. Humans need oxygen in the air they breathe. Not being piosioned is no consolation when you suffocate in your sleep, it's the same kind of dead.

[@WisselUK]

Honestly, have a think about this. A naked flame in a wood lined box? I think done right it might be okay, but what about the person who does this and it isn't okay? There's one out come which isn't good and could be really bad. Saying this with the best of intensions. This video is a bad idea. You make good videos, so people listen to you, This isn't a dig.

[@WisselUK]

I've thought more about this and I think this video is outright irresponsible. What if someone watches this and loves the idea. I mean who wouldn't want a lovely flame burning in their dream van. Then they install it next to a wall, or with a breeze from a door/window. Please think.

[@HughTube]

hi buddy, I hear where you are coming from. I want to confirm that I am sharing knowledge thats already out there, I took information from manufacturers and never said anyone should buy this particular one. The reason for the video is to share info on alternatives I found, every form of heating is dangerous in some way and this wasn't an install video it was a test to see what they are capable of. There are a lot of different shapes and sizes on the market some with a surrounded flame. I will adjust the title to remove easy install though as I can understand this could be misleading

[@MrNugget425]

@@WisselUK Really? Hugh is experimenting something that many people, including myself is interested in. In respect of your feelings of irresponsible, the kit shown here is anti spill and only dangerous if not used with common sense, similarly to any other hazardous substance.

[@WisselUK]

@@MrNugget425 Common Sense is sometimes an issue with some selfbuilders. I'm sure you've seen examples yourself. I'm all for experimenting with different materials/products in vans and do it all the time, but this was a bad idea. If the video showed an enclosed model, or the burner being used outdoors, I wouldn't have commented.

[@MrNugget425]

@@WisselUK I see no difference with an ethanol burner and using a gas hob, both can be controlled and both have an open flame. This is absolutely a self build channel and as such; provides good tips, advice and resources for others to consider, I dont see this as irresponsible.

[@vanman_bavaria]

Absolute no go in a van! Just don't do it.