Anywhere Fireplace SoHo Flat-Front Wall-Mounted Ventless Ethanol Fireplace

A Real Fire That Hangs on Your Wall Like a Framed Picture

The Anywhere Fireplace SoHo is a wall-mounted ethanol fireplace: a square-edged, flat-fronted frame that hangs on a bracket and burns liquid bio-ethanol for a real flame. There is no chimney, gas line or outlet to plan around, so it can go in a bedroom, dining room, condo or office where a built-in fireplace never could. It comes in black, high-gloss white or stainless steel, and it suits a modern room that wants a fire as a focal point rather than as a heat source.

It Needs a Nonflammable Wall: Drywall, Tile, Brick or Stone

Anywhere Fireplace is specific about the wall. Drywall, tile, brick and stone are fine. Wood paneling and wallpaper are not, because the wall itself must not be flammable. The SoHo mounts on the surface only; it cannot be recessed into a wall or set into a cabinet.

Mounting takes a level, a drill with a 3/8-inch bit, a hammer and a screwdriver. The bracket goes up with four anchors made for drywall; if a hole lands in a wood stud, skip the anchor and screw straight in. On tile, brick or stone, buy hardware rated for that surface. Four spacers on the back hold the fireplace off the wall, and it hooks onto the bracket. The maker puts the whole job at under 30 minutes.

Leave 4 Feet Around It, and Shield a TV Mounted Above

Pick a spot at least 4 feet from drapes, upholstered furniture and anything else that can burn. If a TV will hang above the SoHo, Anywhere Fireplace calls for a nonflammable shelf or mantel between the two to turn the rising heat away from the screen.

The flame gives off real warmth, but the manual is clear that it should not be a main source of heat. Think of the SoHo as the fire you sit near, not the thing that keeps the room warm.

A Sliding Lid Sets the Flame and Snuffs It Out

The burner has a lid you move with the included handle. Open it wide for a taller, warmer flame, or close it partway for a smaller one that makes the fuel last longer; Anywhere Fireplace rates the SoHo at up to five hours per liter. Slide it fully closed and the flame goes out for lack of air. Keep it closed a few minutes to be sure.

Same Burner and Size as the Chelsea, With Square Edges

The Anywhere Fireplace Chelsea is the SoHo's twin underneath: the maker lists the same dimensions, the same burner and the same installation instructions for both. The difference is the face. The SoHo's frame is flat with crisp corners, while the Chelsea's front bows outward in a soft curve. The color options differ too: white is SoHo only, red is Chelsea only.

Buy Fuel With It, and Let It Cool Before Every Refill

Fuel is sold separately. Use only liquid bio-ethanol made for ventless fireplaces; Anywhere Fireplace warns that drugstore and hardware-store alcohol can give off emissions that aren't safe to breathe. Pour with the funnel until you can see fuel just above the perforated holes inside the burner, and no higher, then wipe up any drips before lighting with a long wand lighter or long match.

The flame can be almost invisible just before the fuel runs out. When it seems to die, close the lid for at least 2 minutes, then wait 15 minutes for the burner to cool before you add more.

Optional Accessories

• SMARTFUEL ethanol fuel for ventless fireplaces, the fuel Anywhere Fireplace sells for its own ethanol models