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Why Hotels and Caterers Are Switching Away From Traditional Gel Fuel

For years, gel fuel and wick chafing fuels have been the standard for buffet service across hotels, wedding venues, conference centres and catering operations.

But across the hospitality industry, that is beginning to change.

More venues are now moving towards safer, cleaner and more sustainable buffet heating systems that reduce waste, improve staff safety and lower operational costs.

One of the biggest shifts has been the move towards refillable systems like EcoBurner.

The Problem With Traditional Gel Fuel

Traditional gel and wick fuels create several operational problems for hospitality venues:

High Daily Waste

Most gel fuels are single-use products. A typical buffet setup can easily use multiple gel pots per service, creating unnecessary landfill waste every day.

According to EcoBurner data, a single chafing dish running two 3-hour services daily can create approximately 200g of fuel waste per day from discarded gel containers. This may not sound like a lot but for larger hotels or conference venues, that quickly adds up.

Open Flame and Chemical Risks

Gel fuels also present safety concerns:

  • Open flames near guests and staff
  • Fuel spills during setup
  • Hot discarded containers
  • Chemical handling risks

Many operators are now reviewing safer alternatives as part of wider sustainability and health & safety initiatives.

Mess and Soot

Traditional fuels can leave:

  • black residue on cookware
  • soot marks
  • unpleasant smells
  • sticky spills during refilling and disposal

This creates extra cleaning time for kitchen and front-of-house teams.

What Is EcoBurner?

EcoBurner is a refillable buffet heating system designed to replace traditional gel and wick fuels with a safer, cleaner and more efficient solution.

Unlike disposable fuel pots, EcoBurner uses refillable fuel cans and controlled burner technology to provide consistent buffet heating with significantly less waste. You can see how it works here.

The system is designed around three core benefits:

1. Safer Buffet Service

EcoBurner systems are designed to:

  • stay cool-to-touch externally
  • switch off if overturned
  • reduce open chemical exposure
  • minimise spill risks during service

This is particularly valuable in busy hospitality environments where staff safety and operational consistency matter.

2. Lower Environmental Impact

Independent carbon footprint testing referenced within the EcoBurner system documentation shows:

  • up to 75% lower carbon emissions compared to gels and wicks
  • zero disposable fuel pots going to landfill
  • reduced packaging waste
  • reduced transport waste

The system can reduce carbon emissions by approximately 0.65kg CO2e per chafing dish per day compared with traditional fuel systems.

3. Reduced Operating Costs

Fuel costs are another major factor driving the switch.

EcoBurner estimates show venues can save approximately £3.69 per chafing dish per day compared with traditional gel fuels.

For venues operating multiple buffet stations every day, the annual savings can become substantial.

Waterless Buffet Service Is Growing

Another major trend in hospitality is the move towards waterless buffet systems.

Traditional chafing dishes often require:

  • water filling
  • draining
  • heating water
  • manual handling of hot water

Modern systems like EcoPan and EcoServe eliminate the water bath entirely, helping venues:

  • reduce setup time
  • reduce labour
  • improve safety
  • eliminate water waste

EcoBurner estimates suggest a single waterless buffet setup can save over 2,000 litres of water annually per chafer.

Which Venues Benefit Most?

EcoBurner systems are increasingly popular with:

  • Hotels
  • Wedding venues
  • Conference centres
  • Stadiums
  • Contract caterers
  • Banqueting operations
  • Universities and colleges

These environments benefit most from:

  • repeated buffet service
  • high fuel usage
  • sustainability targets
  • reduced labour pressure
  • safer front-of-house operations

Is It Worth Switching?

For many venues, the answer is yes.

The switch is usually driven by a combination of:

  • sustainability goals
  • rising fuel costs
  • operational efficiency
  • guest experience
  • staff safety

Many operators now see refillable buffet fuel systems as the long-term replacement for disposable gels and wick fuels.

Looking to Upgrade Your Buffet Setup?

Flomatic supplies EcoBurner systems, EcoServe waterless chafers, EcoPan and buffet service equipment for hotels, caterers and hospitality venues across the UK.

Whether you want to reduce waste, improve safety or modernise your buffet presentation, there are options available for both small venues and large-scale operations. Why not call the office on 01536 481977 to learn more how the system can fit in with your operations?