The Irish garden has undergone a serious transformation over the last few years. We’ve moved past the era of the flimsy, rust-prone BBQ and entered a time where the “outdoor room” is just as important as the indoor one. Whether it’s a crisp Christmas Eve with hot chocolate or those first bright but chilly evenings in March, we are spending more time outside than ever before. But let’s be real, the Irish climate requires a bit more than a blanket to keep things comfortable. To truly reclaim your patio during the colder months, you need a strategy that combines raw heat with versatile ambience.
At FlameStyle by The Soot Doctor, we’ve found that the most successful outdoor spaces in Ireland don’t rely on just one heat source. Instead, they use “layered” heating. This means pairing a heavy-duty, permanent focal point, like an RB73 wood-burning stove, with the nimble, smoke-free convenience of bioethanol fire columns like the Planika Totem or the Chantico tabletop fire. By combining these two technologies, you create a space that is high-performance, safe, and incredibly stylish. In this guide, we’ll explore why this pairing is the gold standard for outdoor fireplaces in Ireland.
When you talk about serious outdoor fireplaces in Ireland, the conversation often starts and ends with RB73. These Dutch-designed stoves are built from 3mm Corten steel, a material that is literally designed to live outdoors. Unlike traditional painted steel that flakes and rusts in the Irish rain, Corten steel develops a protective layer of rust (a beautiful orange-brown patina) that actually prevents further corrosion. It thrives in the damp, salty air of our coastal towns and the heavy frosts of the Midlands alike.
Find it here: RB73 Quaruba Large – Outdoor Wood Stove
Models like the Quaruba or the Bijuga aren’t just heaters, they are architectural statements. Because they are closed-system stoves with glass on up to four sides, you get all the visual beauty of a campfire without any of the downsides. The glass prevents wind from blowing ash onto your guests, and the tall chimney ensures that smoke is pulled up and away from your seating area. This is a game-changer for winter gatherings. There’s nothing that ruins a Christmas party faster than a shift in the wind blowing smoke into everyone’s faces. With an RB73, you get a clean, intense heat that can reach up to 6kW or more, acting as the “warm heart” of your patio.
While the RB73 provides the heavy lifting in terms of heat, our bioethanol collection provides the flexibility and instant luxury that makes a garden feel finished. If you are looking for a compact tabletop feature, the Chantico Glassfire (starting from €295.00) is an exceptional choice. It acts like a “candle on steroids,” featuring a black stainless steel base and a glass cylinder that offers a 2.5kW heat output. For those who want a bit more of a design-led, organic feel, the Dancing Flames (from €300.00) is wrapped in a stunning oak cork surface, making it as much a sculpture as it is a heater.
As you move up the range to more substantial terrace features, the options become even more sculptural. The Simple (from €605.00) lives up to its name with a minimalist cylindrical design that offers an unobstructed view of the flame, while the Rondo (from €650.00) provides a sleek, weather-resistant insert that can stand alone or be integrated into custom outdoor furniture. For those who want to create a grand entrance or light up a large garden corner, our free-standing columns like the Totem or the Jar Bioethanol Fire act as towering beacons of light. The Jar, in particular, features a robust concrete base designed by Christophe Pillet, offering that sophisticated industrial look that sits perfectly alongside the Corten steel of an RB73.
If you are deciding between these two as your primary outdoor fireplaces in Ireland solution, it really comes down to the “vibe” and the “volume” of heat you need. A wood-burning stove is for those who love the ritual. There is the stacking of the logs, the lighting of the kindling, and that deep, radiant heat that only wood can provide. It is a permanent installation that anchors your garden design. If you have a large patio and want to sit out even when it’s 2°C, the RB73 is the tool for the job.
Bioethanol is about “on-demand” luxury. If you’re a busy professional who wants to come home on a Friday evening, click a lighter, and have a real flame instantly without having to clean out ash the next morning, bioethanol is your best friend. It doesn’t produce the same intense heat as a wood stove, but it provides a sophisticated, clean flame that is perfect for smaller spaces or for those who prioritise design and ease of use over raw heating power.
The secret to a truly “Instagrammable” and comfortable winter garden is layering. Think of your RB73 wood stove as your base layer, the heavy coat that keeps the core temperature up. You place this in the main seating area where the most warmth is needed. Then, you use bioethanol fire columns as your “accessories.”
Imagine a Christmas gathering: you have the RB73 Quaruba XL roaring in the centre of the patio, providing that deep heat and the main focal point. Meanwhile, two Totem fire columns are placed at the steps leading into the garden, acting as lit beacons for your guests. On the tables where people are standing with their drinks, you have a few Chantico tabletop fires. This creates a “glow” throughout the entire space rather than just one hot spot. This layering doesn’t just look spectacular; it ensures that everyone, no matter where they are standing, feels the warmth and the magic of a real fire.
Safety and durability are our top priorities at The Soot Doctor. When it comes to outdoor fireplaces in Ireland, you have to respect the wind. The RB73 is a heavy, solid piece of engineering; once it’s in place, it isn’t going anywhere, and the closed glass door makes it incredibly safe even in gusty conditions. You don’t have to worry about sparks flying into nearby bushes or onto your timber decking.
For the bioethanol features like the Totem, safety is built into the technology. The burners are filled with highly absorbent ceramic fibers (like Planika’s Commerce Technology™), which keep the fuel inside the burner. Even if the unit were to be accidentally knocked over, the fuel won’t spill out and spread a fire. This gives you peace of mind when there are children or pets around. While bioethanol fires are weather-resistant, we always recommend bringing the smaller tabletop units like the Chantico inside when not in use to keep them looking their best, whereas the RB73 is more than happy to sit out in a January storm and wait for its next fire.
DISCLAIMER: All descriptions of heat output, material durability, and fuel consumption are for informational purposes. Outdoor heating performance depends heavily on the openness of the space and wind conditions. We recommend an on-site consultation to determine the best layout for your specific garden or patio.
During the first few months, as the Corten steel develops its natural rust patina, there can be some “run-off” during heavy rain which might stain light-colored stone or paving. We usually recommend placing the stove on a dedicated hearth or a non-porous surface during this initial aging period. Once the patina has fully formed, the run-off stops.
A unit like the Totem can burn for up to 7 hours on a single fill, while the Chantico tabletop fire typically lasts around 3.5 hours. This makes them perfect for an evening gathering without needing to stop and refuel.
Yes! Models like the Quercus or the Quaruba can be fitted with an optional pizza stone or a BBQ grill. It turns your outdoor stove into a multifunctional kitchen, which is perfect for those early spring gatherings where you want to serve up something hot and fresh.
Generally, no. For freestanding outdoor stoves and portable bioethanol fires, you do not need planning permission or building permits. However, we always recommend maintaining a safe distance from combustible structures like wooden sheds or overhanging trees.
Because units like the Jar and Totem feature protective glass cylinders, the flame remains stable even in breezy conditions. However, in very high winds, the burn time may decrease slightly as the flame dances more vigorously. For the best experience, we recommend placing them in a somewhat sheltered area of the patio.
To get the best heat and keep the glass clean, you should always use kiln-dried hardwood with a moisture content below 20%. Since the RB73 is a high-efficiency closed system, using “wet” wood will cause the glass to soot up quickly and won’t provide that intense radiant heat needed for a cold January night.
From the industrial power of RB73 to the sleek lines of Planika bioethanol, we have the perfect solution for your outdoor space.
Visit the FlameStyle showroom or contact us today to see these fires in action. Call us on 01 902 0758 or email info@sootdoctor.ie.
