Tenderfuel vs bio-ethanol

Is bioethanol dangerous?

What's really in your gas flame? The differences in safety, air quality, and daily use, clearly explained.

Flashpoint +100ºC

No soot or smell

Controlled fuse

6 min read

VIEW THE COMPARISON Why safer

+100°C

Flashpoint Tenderfuel

0 soot

No odor, no residue

Tested

Certified product

Clean

Clear windows, clean air

THE DIFFERENCE

Warmth is more than a flame

It's about peace, attention, and a home that breathes. That's precisely where the fuel makes the difference. Bio-ethanol may seem simple on paper, but it burns intensely and unpredictably. Tenderfuel has been carefully developed for a clean, controlled flame that instills confidence in daily use.

BIO-ETHANOL RISKS

Flash point 13°C (lower than petrol)
Vapors at room temperature
Burns freely from reservoir
Frayed wires = immediate fire risk
Alcohol smell during use
Soot from incomplete combustion

TENDERFUEL BENEFITS

Flash point +100°C, not spontaneously flammable
Combustion controlled via wick
Liquid does not readily ignite at room temp.
Soot-free and odorless
Stable flame for daily use
Specially developed Steel Wick

BIO-ETHANOL

What exactly is bioethanol?

Bioethanol is an alcohol fuel with an extremely low flash point of only 13 degrees Celsius. That is lower than petrol. The vapor ignites quickly, even at room temperature, and burns freely from the reservoir.

Fierce, unpredictable flame. Difficult to control when turning on and off
Sharp alcohol smell: noticeable in the room, annoying with prolonged use
Risk of smoke and soot. When combustion is not optimal, soot is produced
Spilling = immediate danger. Spilled liquid or vapor can ignite very quickly
Flammable vapors above an open reservoir. Can unexpectedly ignite, especially immediately after refilling

TENDERFUEL

What is Tenderfuel?

Tenderfuel is Tenderflame's own fuel, specially developed to work with the stainless Steel Wick. Unlike bio-ethanol, Tenderfuel does not burn freely from the reservoir. Combustion takes place in a controlled manner within the wick.

Flashpoint +100°C. The liquid does not spontaneously ignite at room temperature
Controlled combustion: calm, stable flame without flare-ups
No smoke, no soot, no strong odor. Your interior stays clean
Designed for everyday use. No stress, no extra security measures needed

COMPARISON

Bio-ethanol vs Tenderfuel

All differences at a glance. From flash point to air quality.

Property	Bioethanol	Tenderfuel
Flashpoint	13°C (lower than gasoline)	+100°C
Combustion method	Free from reservoir	Controlled by wick
Spontaneous combustion	Yes, via steam	✓ No
Soot	Possible	✓ No
Smell	Strong alcohol odor	✓ Odorless
Risk of spilling	High	✓ Low
Daily use	With extra caution	✓ Yes
Air quality	Negative emissions (particulate matter)	✓ Minimum
Surface contamination	Black residue possible	✓ None

AIR QUALITY

What makes smoke and soot harmful?

Soot particles are fine particulate matter (PM2.5), particles so small that they penetrate deep into the lungs through your nose and throat. Prolonged exposure is linked to respiratory diseases and reduced air quality. Windows, ceilings, and curtains slowly turn black.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) reaches the deepest parts of the lungs, even with short-term exposure

Black deposits on windows and walls is visible evidence of indoor air pollution

Paraffin candles are a well-known source of indoor fine particulate matter, comparable to the pollution levels found on busy streets.

Soot particles (fine particulate matter) settle on walls, ceilings, and windows, affecting indoor air quality. Traditional paraffin candles produce visible soot. Tenderfuel burns through a controlled wick and produces virtually no soot.

1 PARAFFIN WAX TEA LIGHT

1x

Noticeable soot buildup. Black residue on windows.

VS

TENDERFLAME LILLY 10

50x

More candles are needed to produce the same level of soot buildup.

SOOT OUTPUT BY CANDLE TYPE

Paraffin tealight 100%

Bioethanol flame ~60%

Beeswax candle ~30%

Tenderfuel Lilly 10 <0.2%

* Relative indication based on soot particle production per hour of burning. Rule of thumb: 1 tea light ≈ 50 Tenderfuel Lilly 10 candles.

TRUST

Why you can trust Tenderflame

Expertise

Tenderflame developed Tenderfuel in collaboration with fuel experts, specifically formulated for the Steel Wick.

Authority

Certified products, available through authorized retailers across Europe.

Reliability

Thousands of satisfied customers, transparent about fuel composition and safety.

REVIEWS

What are users saying?

Reviews from customers who have switched from bio-ethanol to Tenderfuel.

★★★★★

"I used to have a bio-ethanol burner and always found the smell unpleasant. Since switching to Tenderfuel, there's truly no comparison; no smell, no soot, the flame is calmer, and I feel much safer with it."

Marjolein V. — Rotterdam

Verified

★★★★★

"My windows were always blurry after an evening with candles. Now with the Tenderflame Lilly, they stay clear. No more bioethanol for me, this is a completely different experience."

Thomas D. — Antwerp

Verified

★★★★★

"Frankly, I was skeptical, but the flashpoint of +100 degrees convinced me. Bioethanol at 13 degrees... that's lower than gasoline. I don't want that in my house anymore."

Sanne K. — Utrecht

Verified

★★★★★

"We had a small accident with our previous bio-ethanol burner; it splattered when lighting. With Tenderfuel, it just feels safe. Good product, clear explanations on the website."

Pieter M. — Amsterdam

Verified

Is bioethanol dangerous?