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Did you know that outdoor patio heaters are one of the best selling home items right now. Everyone enjoys being outside in the garden or on the patio and patio heaters can extend the time that you can do this. You can use your patio and garden on cooler evenings in the Spring and Fall, not just in the warmer summer months. One reason that outside patio heaters are best sellers at the moment is the smoking ban in many establishments. This has forced proprietors to provide somewhere outside for their customers to smoke!

Once you’ve decided to purchase a patio heater you will need some facts about types, sizes and fuels sources. Hopefully the facts we’ve gathered together here will help you do this.

Garden Patio Heater Types

Outside garden patio heaters can be bought in three types, free standing, permanent and portable. Permanent patio heaters produce the most heat but the most popular is a free standing gas model as it is very easy to use and versatile. Many models only have low and high settings so try to buy one with a more flexible, variable heat control. Check out the power output as it can differ markedly between models. many of the table top models have a low output so won’t provide a great deal of heat. Standing models are the most popular but permanent models, as we said earlier, produce the most heat. The more heat produced of course the more it will cost to run your patio heater.

Safety

Most newer models of patio heaters have a flame failure device. You should also look for model that has an anti-tilt device which will shut off the fuel supply if is over turned. Do not place the patio heater on a slope as it can be knocked over easily. Place it on level ground away from anything that could cause a fire.

Garden Patio Heater Finishes

The most popular are stainless steel patio heaters which can be left outside and will not rust. Powder coated models are not rust resistant so should be covered when not in use or brought inside. Models with a hammered finish are also rust free and can be left outside uncovered.

Gas Fuelled Patio Heaters

Some patio heaters are made to run on either butane or propane, and some only on a  single fuel. Some models are available in dual models that can use either butane or propane. Butane is fine for warmer evenings but propane is more suitable as the temperature falls. Propane will work well at a lower temperature and give off more heat. A gas patio heater will generally run on a cylinder of gas for about 4 to 5 weeks of regular use.

Where to Place Your Garden Patio Heater

Some things to think about  when placing the garden patio heater is to realize that it needs lots of ventilation around it. You need to make sure that there is plenty of space around the heater if you are using it beneath an awning or inside a marquee. At least 100 cm clearance is needed and the canvas must be fire retardant. Always place a patio heater on a level surface. Always make sure there are no gas leaks and that the fittings have not corroded before you use the heater. Make sure you put the heater well away from trees, fences, sheds or anything else that could easily catch fire.