Research date: September 20, 2026. Product-safety actions change. Check cpsc.gov/Recalls for the latest before you buy.
The short answer
A third-party-listed bioethanol appliance, installed and used exactly as its manual says, can be operated safely. But liquid ethanol is unforgiving, and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission has linked liquid-fuel tabletop fire pits to deaths and dozens of serious burns. The highest-risk moment is refueling. Never add fuel to a burner that is lit, or that has not cooled for the full time the manufacturer specifies. For EcoSmart Fire burners, that is 60 minutes.
What regulators have said since 2024
If you have searched this topic recently, you have probably seen alarming headlines. Here is what the official notices actually say.
CPSC, December 2024: a category-wide warning
The CPSC urged consumers not to buy or use fire pits designed to burn pooled alcohol or other liquid fuel, including products sold as tabletop fire pits, fire pots and miniature or portable indoor fireplaces. The agency said these products had been associated with two deaths and at least 60 injuries since 2019.
The CPSC's specific concern is products that require you to pour isopropyl alcohol or another liquid fuel into an open container or bowl and then light the pooled liquid in the same place. It says that design violates the voluntary safety standard ASTM F3363-19, which is intended to prevent pool fires and flame jetting.
CPSC, 2026: brand-specific warnings
The agency has since named individual products. In May 2026 it warned consumers to stop using Northlight Bio Ethanol Portable Tabletop Fireplaces. In July 2026 it issued a similar warning covering at least 53,500 Houswise Tabletop Fire Pits. It has also warned about Rozato Tabletop Fire Pits, which it associated with one death. In each case, the products were containers that you fill and light in the same spot.
Health Canada, April 2026: two EcoSmart Fire portable models
We sell EcoSmart Fire products, so you deserve to hear this from us directly. In April 2026, Health Canada recalled two portable EcoSmart Fire products sold in Canada: the Stix Portable Fire Pit and the Mini T Designer Fireplace, both with the small AB3 burner. Health Canada said these portable units allow fuel to be poured into the burner and lit where it pooled, a configuration it considers a flame-jetting risk, and that their labeling did not meet Canadian consumer-chemical requirements. The company reported 3 units sold in Canada and no incidents or injuries as of April 7, 2026.
That recall did not name EcoSmart Fire's fire tables or its larger AB8 and XL burners. As of our research date, we did not find a CPSC recall or warning naming EcoSmart Fire products. We do not sell the recalled models.
We also want to be plain about something: every liquid bioethanol burner, including the AB8 and XL900 burners in the fire tables we sell, is filled with liquid fuel and lit at the burner. What differs between products is the engineering around that process and whether the user follows it. That is why the operating rules below are not optional.
What is flame jetting?
Flame jetting happens when a flame ignites the vapor around a stream of liquid fuel as it is being poured, and fire travels back into the fuel container. The container can then expel burning fuel several feet onto the person pouring and anyone nearby, faster than anyone can react.
According to Health Canada, it usually happens when someone refuels a fire that is still burning, often because the flame is hard to see, but it can also happen after the flame is out while the device is still hot. The CPSC notes that alcohol and ethanol fuels burn above 1,600°F and can cause third-degree burns in under a second.
Why ethanol behaves differently from gas
- The flame can be nearly invisible, especially in daylight or when the burner is nearly empty. Never assume a burner is off because you cannot see a flame.
- The fuel is a liquid. A spill can become a pool fire, where flame spreads across the surface of spilled fuel.
- Refueling is manual. With propane or natural gas, fuel stays sealed in a tank or pipe. With ethanol, you handle an open flammable liquid near a burner every time you fill it.
What separates a safer ethanol appliance from a risky one
No feature makes an open flame risk-free. These are the design and documentation points worth checking on any bioethanol product you consider.
| Check | Why it matters | EcoSmart Fire tables we carry |
|---|---|---|
| Third-party safety listing | Shows the burner was tested to a recognized standard, not just described as safe | AB8 and XL900 burners are listed by OMNI-Test Laboratories to UL 1370 (unvented alcohol-fuel decorative appliances) and certified to EN 16647 |
| Fixed, stable installation | A unit that can tip or be carried while lit is a serious hazard | Concrete or teak tables on adjustable feet. The manual requires a fixed, secure position and prohibits moving the unit while in use |
| A shut-off mechanism | Lets you smother the flame without blowing it out or pouring anything | Slider shut-off operated with a supplied lighting rod |
| Dedicated fill point and volume markings | Reduces overfilling and spills | Marked burners, a supplied jerry can and a bottle adaptor |
| Flame arrester on the fuel container | Helps stop flame from traveling back into the container | EcoSmart states e-NRG bottles are fitted with a flame arrester |
| A glass fire screen | Shields the flame from wind and keeps hands and clothing back | Included, and the manual says not to operate without it |
| Clear written instructions | Most injuries come from use, not just design | Published burner manuals and safety instructions |
A cheap tabletop bowl you fill with rubbing alcohol typically has none of these. That is the product category the CPSC is warning about.
How to operate a bioethanol fire table safely
These rules come from EcoSmart Fire's published safety instructions. If you own a different brand, follow its manual.
- Use only the specified fuel. EcoSmart burners are designed for e-NRG bioethanol. Never use gasoline or any other fuel.
- Refuel only when the burner is off and cold. Close the shut-off, then wait 60 minutes before adding fuel. The shut-off mechanism itself stays hot for up to an hour.
- Fill from the jerry can, never near an open flame, and never smoke while filling or lighting.
- Wipe up spills immediately with a dry cloth, then a damp one, and let the area dry completely before lighting.
- Check under the burner periodically for fuel residue. The manual warns that fuel accumulating beneath the burner can cause an explosion.
- Light only with the supplied lighting rod and lighter. Matches and standard lighters bring your hand too close.
- Keep the glass screen in place whenever the fire is lit.
- Never leave the fire unattended, and keep children and pets away. Surfaces get hot enough to burn skin.
- Do not add decorative stones over the burner mouth or anything that could interfere with the shut-off.
- Keep an ABC dry-chemical fire extinguisher nearby, and install and test smoke alarms if you use the unit indoors.
Using a bioethanol fire indoors
You will often read that bioethanol produces only carbon dioxide and water vapor. EcoSmart's own safety instructions go further: open fires consume oxygen and carry a risk of indoor air pollution, and improper ventilation can cause serious injury or death. People with breathing problems should talk to a physician first.
In practice that means:
- Meet the minimum room size. EcoSmart lists 4,097 cubic feet for the AB8 burner and 3,885 cubic feet for the XL900. Multiply length × width × ceiling height. A 20 × 26 ft room with 8-ft ceilings is 4,160 cubic feet.
- Ventilate without creating drafts. The room should be well ventilated but protected from strong cross-ventilation that pushes the flame around.
- Never use it where oxygen tanks are in use or flammable vapors may be present.
- Treat it as decorative. EcoSmart describes its burners as decorative appliances not intended for continuous operation, cooking or heating water.
Local fire codes and building rules, especially in condos and apartments, may be stricter than the manufacturer. Check with your building and local fire department.
Outdoor placement: decks, turf and wind
- Wooden decks: EcoSmart says its bioethanol fire tables can be used on sealed wooden decking, provided the table keeps a minimum half-inch air gap underneath. The adjustable feet provide it.
- Artificial turf and grass: Not suitable. Turf compresses unevenly and blocks airflow under the unit.
- Clearance: Keep flammable materials at least one metre (about 3.3 feet) away while the fire is lit.
- Wind: Gusts can push the flame off-center, increase fuel use and put the burner out. Avoid narrow gaps between buildings, and keep the table away from umbrellas, trees and shrubs that move in the wind.
Storing ethanol fuel
e-NRG bioethanol is classified as a Class 3 flammable liquid. Keep it in its original bottle or the supplied jerry can, away from heat and ignition sources, and away from the area where the fire is located. EcoSmart says not to use red containers for it. Local rules on how much flammable liquid you can store at home vary.
Where Lumiflares stands
We carry EcoSmart Fire tables. Their burners carry independent safety listings, the manufacturer publishes detailed operating instructions, and the burners sit in heavy tables designed to stay in one place rather than in loose tabletop bowls. We do not sell pour-and-light tabletop fire pots. If heat matters more to you than placement freedom, a gas or electric option may serve you better. Our ethanol vs. propane fire table comparison covers that trade-off with real numbers.
Planning a fire table for a balcony, deck or indoor room? Send us the space dimensions and surface type. We will check burner room-size minimums, clearances and placement against the manufacturer's requirements before you order.
Frequently asked questions
Are ethanol fireplaces banned in the US?
No. The CPSC has warned against a specific type of product: containers where you pour liquid fuel and light it where it pooled, which it says violate ASTM F3363-19. It has also named specific brands. Bioethanol appliances listed to safety standards such as UL 1370 remain on sale. Check cpsc.gov for current notices on any product you are considering.
Can you refill an ethanol fire pit while it is burning?
Never. Refueling a lit or hot burner is the main cause of flame jetting. Turn it off with the shut-off, confirm it is out, and wait the full cool-down time. EcoSmart Fire specifies 60 minutes.
Do ethanol fire pits produce carbon monoxide?
Any open flame consumes oxygen and produces combustion gases. Manufacturers describe bioethanol combustion products as mainly carbon dioxide and water vapor, but EcoSmart still requires good ventilation, a minimum room size and a working smoke alarm for indoor use. If you use any fuel-burning appliance indoors, a carbon monoxide alarm is a sensible addition.
Is it safe to use an ethanol fire table on a wood deck?
EcoSmart Fire says its bioethanol fire tables can be used on sealed wooden decking if the table keeps at least a half-inch air gap underneath, which its adjustable feet provide, and flammable materials stay at least one metre away. Do not place it on artificial turf or grass.
What should I do if I own one of the recalled tabletop fire pits?
Stop using it and follow the instructions in the CPSC or Health Canada notice for that product, which usually means disposing of it according to local waste rules. Do not sell or give it away.
Sources
- US CPSC, Consumer Alert on alcohol and liquid-burning fire pits (December 19, 2024)
- US CPSC, Northlight Bio Ethanol Portable Tabletop Fireplaces warning (May 7, 2026)
- US CPSC, Houswise Tabletop Fire Pits warning (July 16, 2026)
- US CPSC, Rozato Tabletop Fire Pits warning
- Health Canada, EcoSmart Fire Stix Portable Fire Pit and Mini T Designer Fireplace recall (April 21, 2026)
- EcoSmart Fire, Safety Instructions – Ethanol Burners
- EcoSmart Fire, AB8 and XL900 burner specifications and certifications
- EcoSmart Fire, Fire Tables FAQ (decks, turf, wind, clearances)
This article is general safety education. It does not replace your appliance's manual, your local fire code, or advice from your local fire department.