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. A further reason for the rise in patio heater sales is the smoking ban. This has made owners of establishments feel obliged to provide warm places outside for smoking!

So you have decided to purchase a garden patio heater and need the facts on fuel sources, sizes and types. We hope the information here will help you to choose.

Garden Patio Heater Types

[1] Outside garden patio heaters can be bought in three general types, permanent, portable and free standing. 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. Check to see that there is a variable heat control as some have only a high and low setting which is not very flexible. Different models can have very different power outputs so check it carefully. Some of the table top models have only a low output so won’t provide very much heat. The most popular models are the standing types although permanent models are the best sellers. You also need to consider that producing more heat will of course use up more fuel and cost more.

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. Of course it is not safe to put the patio heater on a slope where it can be toppled over very easily. Place it on level ground away from anything that could cause a fire.

Garden Patio Heater Finishes

The most popular are [2] stainless steel patio heaters which can be left outside and will not rust. Powder coated models are likely to rust if left outside so you should always use a patio heater cover or bring them inside. Other finishes include a hammered finish which also does not rust easily and can be safely left outside.

Gas Fuelled Patio Heaters

Some patio heaters are made to run on either butane or propane, and some only on a  single fuel. It is a good idea to buy a dual model as, although butane is perfectly okay to use in the summer it is not so good when the weather is cooler when propane is more appropriate. Propane will work well at a lower temperature and give off more heat. A [3] 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. Take special care when using a patio heater under an awning or inside a tent. You must make sure that there is adequate clearance around the heater and that the canvas is treated to be flame retardant. Always place a patio heater on a level surface. Always check the fittings and hoses on gas cylinders before use to make sure there are no leaks or rusting before you use the heater. Keep the heater away from any source of ignition such as trees, sheds or fences.