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Modern bioethanol fire table with a clean flame over dark fire glass on a paved patio in a tidy Australian suburban backyard at dusk

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 ones My Acre stocks, are tested and warranted for one fuel only: e-NRG bioethanol, 96% purity. Nothing else should go anywhere near the burner. Here's why that matters and what to keep on hand.

E-NRG bioethanol fuel, the only fuel tested and warranted for EcoSmart burners.

Why Fuel Type Matters So Much

Every burner is engineered around a specific fuel. Gas burners regulate pressure differently to ethanol burners, and gel-fuel systems work differently again. When someone experiments with an unapproved fuel, things stop working properly, flames become uneven, components clog, and in the worst cases, the fuel behaves unpredictably in ways the burner was never designed to handle. The safest fire table is always the one running on the exact fuel it was built for.

What EcoSmart Burners Actually Run On

The AB8 burner is designed around e-NRG, a 96% pure bioethanol bottled in Australia specifically for this purpose. It's sold separately from the fireplace itself, in 5 L bottles packed four to a 20 L carton, with most orders running from 2 to 10 cartons at a time. Because it's classified as dangerous goods, it ships on its own rather than bundled with the table, so it's worth ordering fuel at the same time as your fireplace so both arrive close together.

Why Not Just Use Any Alcohol?

Methylated spirits, rubbing alcohol and torch fuel might look similar to bioethanol in the bottle, but they are not approved for use in an EcoSmart burner and should never be substituted. These products burn unpredictably, can produce a flame that's difficult to see in daylight, and can damage internal burner components in ways that void the warranty. Gel fuel is sometimes used in other tabletop fire bowls, but only where the manufacturer specifically approves it; EcoSmart burners don't, so it isn't an option here. If a fuel isn't e-NRG, it doesn't go in the burner.

EcoSmart Martini 50 fire table, running on e-NRG bioethanol with no tank to refill.

Fuel Media: Glass, Not Rock

Decorative media sits over the burner to spread the flame evenly. EcoSmart uses tempered glass fire media, including Black Glass Charcoal rated to 700°C, rather than lava rock. There's no lava rock product in the range at all, so if you see it recommended elsewhere, it isn't something that applies to an EcoSmart table.

Refuelling and Storage Safely

Only ever refuel a burner that's completely cool, allowing a full 60 minutes after the flame goes out before topping up. Use the safety nozzle or bottle adaptor rather than pouring straight from the bottle. If a liquid-fuel fire ever needs to be put out, use a dry chemical extinguisher rated for Class B fires, never water, since water can spread burning fuel rather than smother it. Store spare bottles upright and away from direct heat, the same commonsense rules that apply to any fuel kept around the house.

Small tabletop bioethanol fire feature burning cleanly on a minimal outdoor patio at dusk.

The Short Version

Use e-NRG, and only e-NRG, in an EcoSmart fire table. It's the one fuel the burner is designed, tested and warranted for, and swapping in anything else, gas, gel, methylated spirits or otherwise, is the fastest way to damage the burner or void the warranty for no real benefit.

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Hayden Pearson

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About the author:
“I have a real passion for helping transform outdoor spaces so people can relax, connect and entertain with confidence and pride. With My Acre, I love guiding homeowners to create beautiful and functional outdoor living areas."

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