The short answer
Every EcoSmart Fire bioethanol fire table uses one of two burners. The round AB8 gives more heat (20,433 BTU/h) from a compact flame. The linear XL900 gives less heat (15,000 BTU/h) but a longer flame line and a longer burn (8 to 13 hours per fill vs 7 to 9 hours at maximum). Choose the table height first, then the footprint, then the burner that matches how you spend your evenings.
- Coffee-table height (11.7 to 13.3 in): Base 30, Base 40, Ark 40, Manhattan 50, Martini 50, Cosmo 50, Wharf 65
- Dining height (29.3 in): Gin 90 Dining
- Bar height (41.1 in): Gin 90 Bar
- No gas line, flue or electrical connection on any of them. Fuel is sold separately.
The decision that shapes everything: AB8 or XL900 burner
Table shape and finish get most of the attention, but the burner inside decides how the table actually behaves on a cold night. EcoSmart publishes the same core figures for both burners, and they are worth reading side by side:
| Manufacturer figure | AB8 (round) | XL900 (linear) |
|---|---|---|
| Heat output | 20,433 BTU/h | 15,000 BTU/h |
| Fuel capacity | 2.1 gal | 2.4 gal |
| Burn time per fill | 7 to 9 h (up to 11 h with the included efficiency ring) | 8 to 13 h |
| Fuel use at maximum | 0.29 gal/h | 0.21 gal/h |
| Heats on average | 646 sq ft | 646 sq ft |
| Minimum room volume (indoor use) | 4,097 cu ft | 3,885 cu ft |
| Flame shape | Round, taller and fuller | Long and linear (the burner is 35.7 in long) |
Here is the part most comparison pages miss. Divide heat output by fuel use and the two burners land in almost the same place: roughly 70,500 BTU per gallon for the AB8 and roughly 71,400 BTU per gallon for the XL900. The AB8 is not a more efficient burner. It simply burns fuel faster, so it delivers more heat per hour and runs out sooner.
That gives you a clean way to choose:
- Choose an AB8 table if your evenings are short and cold and you want the most warmth you can get from an ethanol flame.
- Choose an XL900 table if you entertain for long stretches, want one fill to last the whole evening, or want the flame to run along the table rather than sit in the middle of it.
Every model at a glance
These are the EcoSmart Fire bioethanol tables currently available at Lumiflares. Dimensions are the table top (length x width) and overall height, as published by EcoSmart Fire.
| Model | Shape | Size | Height | Burner | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base 30 | Square | 30.6 x 30.6 in | 13.3 in | AB8 | The smallest footprint in the range; tight seating groups |
| Base 40 | Square | 39.4 x 39.4 in | 13.3 in | AB8 | Seating on all four sides |
| Ark 40 | Round | 39.4 in diameter | 13.3 in | AB8 | Circular conversation seating with no head of the table |
| Manhattan 50 | Rectangle | 50 x 30 in | 11.7 in | AB8 | A sofa-facing coffee table with maximum heat |
| Martini 50 | Rectangle, round flame | 50 x 30 in | 11.7 in | AB8 | Usable surface at both ends of the flame |
| Cosmo 50 | Rectangle | 50 x 30 in | 11.7 in | XL900 | The same footprint as the Manhattan with a linear flame and longer burn |
| Wharf 65 | Rectangle | 65 x 39.4 in | 13.3 in | XL900 | Anchoring a large outdoor lounge |
| Gin 90 Dining | Long rectangle | 89.4 x 43.2 in | 29.3 in | XL900 | Eating around the fire with standard dining chairs |
| Gin 90 Bar | Long rectangle | 89.4 x 43.2 in | 41.1 in | XL900 | Standing or bar-stool entertaining |
Step 1: Pick the height by how people will sit
Height is the one choice you cannot work around later, so start there.
Coffee-table height (11.7 to 13.3 in) suits lounge seating: sofas, deep chairs, sectionals. Seven of the nine models sit here, so most buyers end up in this group and then choose by footprint.
Dining height (29.3 in) is for people who want to eat around the fire. The Gin 90 Dining pairs with standard outdoor dining chairs and runs the flame down the center of an 89.4 in table.
Bar height (41.1 in) is roughly kitchen-island height. The Gin 90 Bar is designed for standing guests and bar stools, which makes it the natural choice for spaces built around hosting rather than lounging.
Step 2: Match the footprint to your seating
Measure the seating you already own or plan to buy, not just the open floor. A few practical rules:
- Square and round tables (Base 30, Base 40, Ark 40) work best when seating surrounds them on three or four sides.
- 50 in rectangles (Manhattan, Martini, Cosmo) line up with a sofa or loveseat the way an indoor coffee table does.
- The Wharf 65 is the widest rectangle at 39.4 in across, so it fills the middle of a U-shaped or L-shaped outdoor sectional.
One number to plan around: EcoSmart advises keeping flammable materials at least 1 metre (about 39 in) from the table while it is lit. Cushions, throws, umbrellas and planters all count, so leave room for them when you lay out the space.
Step 3: Choose the burner by how you use the fire
Several footprints come in both versions, which makes this choice easy to isolate. The Manhattan 50 and Cosmo 50 share the same 50 x 30 in top and 11.7 in height. The Manhattan runs the AB8 for more heat; the Cosmo runs the XL900 for a longer flame and a longer burn from one fill. If you have narrowed things down to a 50 in coffee table, that pair is the real decision.
Not sure which way to go? Tell us your space, seating and how you plan to use it, and a Lumiflares fireplace specialist will recommend a model. Ask a fireplace expert.
What a fire table costs to run
Running cost depends on fuel price and flame setting, so treat these as a worked example rather than a quote. At the time of writing, e-NRG bioethanol (the fuel EcoSmart specifies) was listed by several US retailers at $145 for a case of 16 quarts, which is 4 gallons, or about $36.25 per gallon.
- AB8 at maximum: 0.29 gal/h x $36.25 = about $10.50 per hour. A full 2.1 gal fill is about $76.
- XL900 at maximum: 0.21 gal/h x $36.25 = about $7.60 per hour. A full 2.4 gal fill is about $87.
Turning the flame down lowers fuel use and heat together. For a full comparison against propane tables, including heat output and when gas makes more sense, see our guide to ethanol vs. propane fire tables.
Planning to use it indoors? Read this first
EcoSmart lists the bioethanol versions of its fire tables for indoor and outdoor use, which is a genuine advantage over gas fire tables (those are outdoor only). But indoor use comes with conditions:
- Extra parts are required. EcoSmart states the Indoor Safety Tray must be installed before operating a table indoors, and AB8 tables must also have the AB8 Burner Efficiency Ring fitted. The tray is not part of the standard outdoor configuration and is ordered separately.
- The room must meet a minimum volume. 4,097 cu ft for AB8 tables and 3,885 cu ft for XL900 tables. Multiply length x width x ceiling height to check. A 20 x 20 ft room with an 8 ft ceiling is 3,200 cu ft, which is too small for either burner.
- Confirm the specific model with us before planning an indoor table, so the right safety parts ship with your order.
We walk through room-volume math, covered patios and balconies in detail in Can You Use an Ethanol Fire Table on a Deck, Balcony, or Covered Patio?
Materials, weight and upkeep
Most models come in Fluid Concrete (Natural, Graphite or Bone), and many also come in oiled teak. EcoSmart describes Fluid Concrete as resistant to UV, staining and mildew. Its recommended care is a concrete sealant every six months for residential use, and oiling teak once or twice a year if you want to keep the golden color rather than let it weather to silver.
Plan delivery around weight. EcoSmart lists the Wharf 65 at 231.6 lb in concrete and 192.6 lb in teak, including the burner and glass media. The Gin 90 tables are larger still. Confirm your access route and final position before delivery day; our delivery and inspection guide explains what to expect.
What to know before you buy
These are excellent tables, and they are easier to live with when expectations are set correctly.
- Warmth is local. Ethanol flame warms the people around the table, not the whole yard. If you need serious outdoor heat, a gas fire table (up to 65,000 BTU/h on EcoSmart's gas versions) or a dedicated patio heater is the better tool.
- Wind matters more with ethanol. Gusts push the flame around, increase fuel use and can put it out. EcoSmart recommends a glass fire screen and siting the table away from swaying trees, umbrellas and narrow wind corridors between walls.
- Keep rain out of the burner. The fuel reservoir is open at the top, and some owners have reported rainwater collecting in it. Cover the burner or the whole table whenever it is not in use; EcoSmart makes fitted silicone burner covers and all-season covers for this.
- Refuel only when cold. Never add fuel to a lit or warm burner. Let it cool completely first.
- Surface matters. Place the table level on a solid surface with the adjustable feet giving at least a half inch of airflow underneath. Never on grass or artificial turf.
Frequently asked questions
How much heat does an EcoSmart fire table give off?
Between 15,000 and 20,433 BTU per hour for the bioethanol versions. Tables with the AB8 burner produce 20,433 BTU/h; tables with the XL900 produce 15,000 BTU/h.
How long does one fill last?
EcoSmart rates the AB8 at 7 to 9 hours at maximum (up to 11 hours with its efficiency ring fitted) and the XL900 at 8 to 13 hours. Real burn time drops in wind or at the highest flame setting.
Do EcoSmart fire tables need a gas line or electricity?
No. The bioethanol versions run on liquid fuel poured into the burner and are lit with the supplied lighting rod. There is no gas line, flue, chimney or power connection.
Can I use an EcoSmart fire table on a wood deck?
EcoSmart approves its bioethanol tables for wood decking when the table sits level with at least a half inch of air gap underneath and flammables are kept about 39 in away while lit. Unsealed decks should be protected from moisture.
Can I turn the fire off before the fuel runs out?
Yes. The burner has a slider that closes to extinguish the flame, operated with the lighting rod. Let the burner cool completely before you refuel it.
Ready to choose?
Browse the full EcoSmart Fire table collection, or ask a Lumiflares fireplace expert to match a model to your space. Lumiflares is an authorized EcoSmart Fire dealer.
Sources
- EcoSmart Fire, AB8 Ethanol Burner specifications
- EcoSmart Fire, XL900 Ethanol Burner specifications
- EcoSmart Fire, Fire Tables collection and FAQ
- EcoSmart Fire, Wharf 65, Ark 40 and Cosmo 50 specifications and indoor requirements
- e-NRG bioethanol retail pricing observed September 2026 at US Fireplace Store and Starfire Direct
Specifications are the manufacturer's indicative figures and can vary with installation, conditions and fuel. Always follow the manufacturer's installation and operation manual for your model. Product photography courtesy of EcoSmart Fire.