How does it reduce pollution?

• It’s really rather simple…in order to have a good hot fire you need an adequate supply of air. The EcoFire supplies air in an even pattern exactly where it is needed – in the combustion zone. This increases the temperature enough so that all of the wood molecules are burned. Which means that the volatiles in wood – those things in wood that cause pollution are burned off and broken down into their base components of Oxygen, Hydrogen and Carbon which are not harmful.

• A normal fire reaches about 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit at the hottest point. A fire built on the EcoFire reaches temperatures of about 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. Most of the volatiles in wood start combusting at about 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit.

• No, in fact, most people end up burning a lot less wood. Each piece of wood will burn minimally faster, but you are getting the maximum energy and heat out of each log. With the EcoFire, you use less wood because you can build a beautiful roaring fire with only one or two logs. On a normal grate, by contrast, you would have to pile on a lot of wood in order to get the same results.

How does it light a fire without kindling?

• If you don't have adequate kindling and your wood is dry and seasoned you can usually light a fire with a few rolled sheets of paper in each of the channels in the grate and paper running across all bars. Full sized logs can be ignited within a couple of minutes.

Does it need to be installed by a professional?

• No you simply take it out of the box , attach the heat shield and motor and place in your fireplace.

I'm going to be building a new fireplace; what kind of fireplace should I install in order to be able to use an EcoFire?

• The EcoFire Super-Grate will fit most standard fireplaces.  However, you do have some decisions to make.  First, you must decide whether you prefer a masonry  or pre-manufactured fireplace.  Second, fireplaces come in several sizes; the EcoFire is compatible with most of these (click here to see Super-Grate dimensions).  Finally, you must choose a manufacturer to purchase your fireplace from.  Click here to see a list of the manufacturers that we recommend.

Is it safe for the motor to be in the fireplace?

• Yes, it is safe, the fan that sits in the fireplace is protected with 2000° F insulation, as is the heat shield.  Also, the control unit is detachable, so when your fireplace is not in use you can store it out of sight.

What if I have a gas starter in my fireplace?

• You may use your gas starter just as you normally would. If you have a gas starter you will not need to put newspaper in the channels of the grate.

What if we have a power outage, can I still use the EcoFire?

• Yes, you can use the EcoFire just like a normal grate if you lose power. The motor is protected with 2000° insulation.

How long will my EcoFire last?

• We use only 304 series stainless steel and high ductile cast iron, as it will withstand years of burning wood at high temperatures. The original test units of the EcoFire were put into the field over 10 years ago and are still running strong.

I have an old house and fireplace. Is the high temperature all right for my type of chimney?

• If your fireplace can withstand a normal fire, it will be just fine wit the EcoFire. Always make sure to have your fireplace and chimney checked regularly – particularly if you are uncertain as to its condition.

Our primary interest is to heat our home with wood - is the EcoFire right for us?

• If heat is your primary concern then you should consider a closed system such as a woodstove. If however you want the ambience of an open fire - but want the most efficient fire you can get, then the EcoFire is for you.