Purchased the retreat outdoor umbrella, had no isuues the quality is nothing but awesome would definitely recommend this product and my Acare was very easy to work with
Guides for outdoor living
Practical guides and honest advice on outdoor fire, pizza ovens, greenhouses and outdoor fridges. Written by the people who install, live with and stand behind what we sell.
Latest guides
64 guides-
Fire & Warmth
Fire Bowl vs Fire Pit: What the Terms Actually Mean
Fire bowl vs fire pit: the real distinction is shape and scale, not fuel or burner technology, and it changes how well a small...
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Fire & Warmth
Are Bioethanol Fireplaces Legal in Australia
Are bioethanol fireplaces legal in Australia? Yes, under a mandatory ACCC safety standard, with a second layer of approval needed for apartments and rentals.
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Fire & Warmth
Bioethanol vs Electric Fireplace for Outdoor Entertaining
Bioethanol vs electric fireplace for outdoor entertaining: why a real flame's radiant heat outperforms simulated warmth once there's a breeze.
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Fire & Warmth
Outdoor Fireplace vs Fire Pit: Which Suits Your Backyard
Outdoor fireplace vs fire pit: a permanent structure versus something freestanding, compared on cost, heat and how settled your outdoor-fire habit already is.
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Fire & Warmth
Fire Pit vs Chiminea: Which Suits an Australian Backyard
Fire pit vs chiminea for an Australian backyard: what real owners report about heat, smoke, cooking and durability, and where a bioethanol fire pit...
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Fire & Warmth
Small Outdoor Fireplace Ideas for Courtyards and Balconies
Small outdoor fireplace ideas for courtyards and balconies: match the fuel to the space, from flueless bioethanol pits and tables to a compact wood...
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Fire & Warmth
How to Clean a Fire Table
Wipe the surround after each use, clean the burner monthly, and wait the full 60 minutes before touching it. What to use, what to...
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Fire & Warmth
Our weekend at the Melbourne Home Show
A weekend at the Melbourne Home Show: trade partners, new suppliers and the outdoor living trends worth talking about.
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Fire & Warmth
What To Look For In A Fire Table
A practical checklist for choosing a fire table that holds up in Australian conditions: heat output, safety certification, materials and clearance, explained plainly.
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Fire & Warmth
What Is A Fire Table
What a fire table actually is, how the EcoSmart bioethanol burner works, and why more Australian backyards are adding one.
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Fire & Warmth
What Fire Table Gives Off The Most Heat
Every EcoSmart fire table runs the same fixed heat output. Here's what actually changes how warm one feels.
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Fire & Warmth
How Much Heat Output Is Good For A Fire Table
How much heat output you actually need from a fire table, and why EcoSmart's fixed 6 kW works differently to old BTU-tiered gas burners.
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Fire & Warmth
What Is The Average Height Of A Fire Table
Ever sat down at a fire table and felt like you were dining with your ankles? EcoSmart's own range sits at coffee-table height: the...
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Fire & Warmth
What Size Fire Table Do I Need
Buying a Fire Table that's too big for your patio is a bit like squeezing a barbecue into a broom cupboard: technically possible, not...
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Fire & Warmth
How Much Bioethanol Fuel Do I Need For A Fire Table
Wondering how big a gas bottle you'll need under your new fire table? None at all. EcoSmart fire tables run on e-NRG bioethanol, not...
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Fire & Warmth
What Fuel Do Fire Tables Use
Nothing ruins backyard drinks faster than a fire table that won't light properly. So, what fuel do fire tables actually use? EcoSmart burners, the...
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Fire & Warmth
How Does Bioethanol Compare To Gas For Fire Table Heating
Choosing fuel for a fire table used to mean picking between propane and natural gas. For an EcoSmart fire table it's a different question...
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Fire & Warmth
Can You Put a Fire Pit on a Deck? What's Safe in Australia
Yes, you can put a fire pit on a deck with the right fuel and clearances. Here is what is safe on timber and...
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Fire & Warmth
How to build a DIY fire pit in Australia (and when to buy instead)
How to build a DIY fire pit in Australia: cost, council rules, what to put in the bottom, a besser-block build, and when a...
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Fire & Warmth
How To Choose A Fire Table
Choosing a fire table comes down to five things: your space, whether it's for indoors or outdoors, the size and heat output you actually...
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Fire & Warmth
What Is The Best Material For A Fire Table
Buying a Fire Table without checking the material first is a bit like buying outdoor cushions in white: brave, but risky in Australia. The...
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Fire & Warmth
How Warm Is A Fire Table
How warm is a fire table, really? Short answer: EcoSmart's AB8 burner puts out 6 kW (21.56 MJ/h), enough to comfortably warm a zone...
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Fire & Warmth
What Is The Difference Between A Fire Pit And A Fire Table
Bonfires or backyard luxury? A fire pit creates a rustic campfire vibe, while a fire table adds sleek style and dining convenience. Still undecided?...
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Fire & Warmth
Are Bioethanol Fire Pits Safe to Use Indoors?
Bioethanol fires can be used indoors safely on an indoor-rated model, in a large-enough room, with ventilation and the correct fuel. Here is exactly...
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Fire & Warmth
Will a Fire Pit Damage a Composite Deck?
What actually damages a composite deck, how to protect it, and why a bioethanol fire pit is the low-risk choice for Australian decks.
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Fire & Warmth
Fire Pit Ideas: 15 Designs for Australian Backyards
Fire pit ideas for Australian backyards, from sculptural concrete bowls to built-in linear burners. A smokeless, design-led guide for paved decks and courtyards.
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Fire & Warmth
Outdoor Fireplace Ideas for Australian Homes
Outdoor fireplace ideas for Australian homes, from built-in rendered masonry kits with a chimney to flueless bioethanol fireplaces for balconies and rooftops.
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Fire & Warmth
Best Fire Pit in Australia (2026 Buyer's Guide)
The best fire pits in Australia for 2026, compared. Honest verdicts on the EcoSmart Pod 30, Pod 40, Stix, Mix 600 and Mix 850...
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Fire & Warmth
The Best Fire Pit for a Small Apartment Balcony
A compact bioethanol fire pit is the balcony-friendly choice: no smoke, no embers, no flue. What works on an apartment balcony in Australia, and...
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Fire & Warmth
What Is the Best Smokeless Fire Pit? (And Do They Really Work?)
Smokeless wood fire pits reduce smoke but never remove it. Only a bioethanol fire is truly smoke-free. Heat, decks, downsides and what to buy...
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Fire & Warmth
Are Bioethanol Fireplaces Safe?
Yes, a bioethanol fireplace is safe when it is a certified model on the correct fuel, with sensible clearances and ventilation. Here is what...
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Fire & Warmth
How Does a Bioethanol Fireplace Work?
A bioethanol fireplace burns denatured plant alcohol in a stainless-steel burner, giving a real flame with no smoke, flue or gas line. Here is...
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Fire & Warmth
Do Bioethanol Fireplaces Give Off Heat?
Yes. A bioethanol fireplace gives off real, usable heat, up to about 6 kW from a large burner, and with no flue more than...
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Fire & Warmth
How Much Does a Bioethanol Fireplace Cost to Run?
A bioethanol fireplace costs about $2 to $7 an hour in e-NRG fuel, and fuel is the only cost. Here is what a litre...
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Fire & Warmth
Bioethanol Fireplaces Indoors: An Australian Buyer's Guide
An indoor bioethanol fireplace brings a real flame into the living room with no flue or gas line. Here is how to choose one...
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Fire & Warmth
Can You Cook On A Fire Table
Can you cook on a fire table? Short answer: no. An EcoSmart bioethanol fire table is built for warmth and ambience, not food preparation,...
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Fire & Warmth
How Do Fire Tables Work
Ever wondered how a fire table produces a real flame with no gas bottle, no gas line and no smoke drifting across the patio?...
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Fire & Warmth
What Is The Difference Between A Fire Table And A Fire Bowl
Choosing between a Fire Table and a fire bowl is a bit like picking between a coffee table and a sculpture. The short answer:...
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Fire & Warmth
Does a Fire Table Need a Cover?
Yes, once the burner has cooled for at least 60 minutes. What a cover actually protects, which fabric suits your table, and when to...
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Fire & Warmth
Why Are Fire Tables So Expensive
Ever looked at a Fire Table price tag and done a double take? The short answer: you're paying for grade 304 stainless steel construction,...
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Fire & Warmth
How Much Clearance Do You Need For A Fire Table
A fire table needs a minimum of 600mm clearance from any fixed object and 2,000mm of overhead clearance if it sits under a roof,...
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Fire & Warmth
How Long Do Fire Tables Last
A quality fire table can last well over a decade with proper care, but Australian weather has a habit of testing that promise. Before...
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Fire & Warmth
How High Should A Fire Table Be
The ideal fire table height depends on how you actually relax outdoors. Low lounge styles suit laid-back drinks around deep seating, while taller designs...
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Fire & Warmth
Can You Have A Fire Table Under A Pergola
Yes, you can have a fire table under a pergola, but only with proper ventilation, safe clearances and a fuel type that will not...
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Fire & Warmth
Can You Have A Fire Table Under A Gazebo
Yes, you can have a fire table under a gazebo, but only with proper ventilation, safe clearances and a fuel type that will not...
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Fire & Warmth
Can I Have A Fire Table On My Deck
Yes, you can have a fire table on your deck, but only with the right heat protection, spacing and setup underneath it. An EcoSmart...
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Fire & Warmth
Can A Fire Table Go Under A Covered Patio
Yes, a bioethanol fire table can go under a covered patio, and being ventless actually makes it a better fit for the job than...
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Fire & Warmth
How Safe Are Fire Tables
Ever wondered how safe a fire table actually is? Short answer: an EcoSmart bioethanol fire table is very safe when it's used as designed,...
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Fire & Warmth
Are Fire Tables Safe On Composite Decks
Wondering if fire tables are safe on composite decks? The short answer: yes, an EcoSmart bioethanol fire table sits comfortably on composite decking, provided...
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Fire & Warmth
Are Fire Tables Worth It
Thinking about adding a fire table to your backyard? The short answer: yes, if you want real flame and genuine zone heating without the...
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Fire Pits
Can I have a fire pit in my backyard in Canberra?
Can I have a fire pit in my backyard in Canberra? Learn the current rules, safety requirements and practical tips in this friendly how-to...
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Fire Pits
Can I have a fire in my backyard in Victoria?
Can I have a fire in my backyard in Victoria? Learn the current rules, permit requirements and safe burning tips in this practical guide...
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Fire Pits
Can I have a fire pit in my backyard in South Australia?
Can I have a fire pit in my backyard in South Australia? Find current rules, safety tips and practical guidance in this friendly best...
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Fire Pits
Are you allowed to have a fire in your backyard in QLD?
Are you allowed to have a fire in your backyard in QLD? Learn Queensland rules, permits, fire bans and safe backyard fire practices in...
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Fire Pits
Can I burn off in my backyard in NSW?
Can I burn off in my backyard in NSW? Learn the current rules, permits and safety tips for backyard burning in this practical Australian...
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Fire Pits
Are backyard fires legal in NSW?
Are backyard fires legal in NSW? Find out what permits you need, where fires are allowed and how to stay safe with this practical...
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Fire Pits
How big can a fire be without a permit?
How big can a fire be without a permit? Learn Australian rules, size limits and when to apply, with this practical guide for safe...
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Fire Pits
Are fire pits allowed in backyards?
Are fire pits allowed in backyards? Discover Australian rules, safety tips and permit advice before lighting a fire pit at home with this helpful...
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Fire Pits
What are the different types of outdoor fire pits?
What are the different types of outdoor fire pits? Explore wood burning, gas and portable options in our friendly Australian buyer’s guide to choosing...
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Pizza Ovens
What are common pizza oven problems?
What are common pizza oven problems? Learn practical fixes for uneven cooking, smoke and heat issues in this Australian how-to guide for better results.
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Pizza Ovens
What else can you cook in a pizza oven besides pizza?
What else can you cook in a pizza oven besides pizza? Roasts, bread, seafood and slow-cooked dishes, matched to each stage of your oven's...
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Pizza Ovens
Best wood fired pizza ovens in Australia: how to choose
The best wood fired pizza ovens in Australia, compared honestly by size, fuel and budget, with Valoriani and Polito picks and how to choose...
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Greenhouses
Polycarbonate Greenhouse Buying Guide (Australia)
How to choose a polycarbonate greenhouse in Australia: polycarbonate vs glass, what size to buy, and what to look for in frame, venting and...
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Outdoor Fridges
Outdoor Bar Fridge Buying Guide (Australia)
How to choose an outdoor bar fridge in Australia: what makes a fridge outdoor-rated, outdoor vs indoor, built-in front-venting, sizing and why coastal homes...
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