Buyer’s Guide to the Best Outdoor Heaters
Ditch the blankets during the late summer evenings with our range of outdoor heating online and in-store
What’s the difference between a fire pit and a fire globe? Is a patio heater warmer than a chimenea? How long is a piece of string? If you’re confused, but you’re sure you don’t want to be chilly in the late summer evenings, our Outdoor Heating Ultimate Buyer’s Guide is here to keep you snug and sane.
We’ll outline everything you need to know – from how often a fire pit needs to be cleaned to the nuances in industrial chimenea design. You’ll know how to tell your pendants from your overhangs and what 1800W actually means. Read on for everything toasty – after all, we wouldn’t want to leave you out in the cold.
Table of Contents
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Types of Outdoor Heaters
If you enjoy spending time outdoors, then you know how important it is to have a good outdoor heater. An outdoor heater can extend your time outdoors by keeping you warm and comfortable. There are a variety of outdoor heaters available, so it’s important to choose the one that best fits your needs. In this blog, we will discuss the popular types of outdoor heaters and how to choose the right one for you.
Choosing your outdoor heater isn’t easy, you need to understand what outdoor heating requirements need to be met for each type of heater available to you. Understanding both your needs and budget will help you find the perfect heater for your outdoor space.
Fire Pits
One of our best sellers and all-round popular type of outdoor heaters is the fire pit. Excellent when it comes to providing you with both light and heat, you can use them for cooking and your late-night entertainment needs. Gathering around a fire pit is undoubtedly one of the best ways to spend quality time with friends and family on a chilly summers evening.
Fire pits do require a lot of maintenance and upkeep to make sure it stays in its best possible condition. It’s required to regularly clean out ashes from the bottom of the fire pit, this helps to keep and ensure the pit is very well ventilated.
Fire pits are suitable for most fuels, coal, charcoal and wood, giving you the opportunity to use your firepit to cook up some grub or warm you up during those late nights.
Additionally, fire pits can be dangerous if not used correctly. If you have small children or pets, it’s important to be extra careful around fire pits.
Chimeneas
Another popular option among outdoor heating solutions are fire chimney Chimeneas, due to their style you’ll find that these are used more for entertainment purposes. Similar to fire pits in providing heat and light and depending on model and size, they can be more portable and smaller than a larger firepit.
Traditionally made from clay, Chimeneas are great for people who are looking for a low-smoke outdoor heating solution, with the iconic chimney on all chimeneas, it helps to pull the smoke up and out rather than directly into your seating space. Their style also helps them to be less prone to tip over, with a larger base it keeps its weight centralised and not balanced across a wider surface area.
Fuel for chimeneas is varied, if you are looking for a traditional fire chimney made from clay you must use dry wood to avoid damaging your chimenea. Modern day Chimeneas, you can find many found on our online store, can use a range of charcoal, coal and wood when firing up your chimenea.
A common issue with chimeneas is their difficulty to light, you may find that you’ll need to use lighter fluid or ignitors. Chimeneas can be dangerous when not used correctly, ensure to keep small children and pets away as due to its shape, the whole chimenea will be hot to touch.
Patio Heaters
If you want a convenient, hassle-free solution to your outdoor heating and are looking to extend the time you spend outdoors this summer (and winter!) electric heaters are your best choice. Often more portable and incredibly easy to use, you won’t require any fuel except electricity – so you may need to ensure you have access to it outside!
Relatively low maintenance with built-in timers and thermostats, electric heaters are the best option for the low maintenance outdoor heating option.
Similar to patio heater, electric heaters can also be expensive to purchase and run, so it’s best to be sure on what outdoor heating best suits your needs.
Perfect for Cooking
Suit your Style
No garden is the same, and neither is our range of outdoor heaters. With something to suit every style, you’ll easily find what you need.
Modern
For the more modern garden, our outdoor heating range has a host of products to fit your style.
The Ivyline Outdoor Buckingham Firebowl in Rust with its sleek, geometric design produces a stunning modern twist on this firebowl, a perfect choice for a modern fire pit.
If you’re looking for an electric heater that doubles as a light, our Kalos range has some beautiful products for both standing and table tops. Make your garden furniture feel like your living room with this modern patio heater.
Natural
If your garden has a more natural feel, a favourite style of ours is an oxidised finish. This Rust finish give the piece an old feel and requires little maintenance to the product itself due to its oxidised finish.
Check out this La Hacienda Honey Bee Fire Globe for the ultimate natural and oxidised finish. perfect for those who are after a natural and gentle look for their garden or patio.
Industrial
Industrial popular style choice among outdoor heaters, whilst many ranges give the effect of being a light, these heaters will not disappoint in both power and appearance.
Add an industrial style to any outdoor space with the Kalos Copper range, we find that this range provides you with a modern yet authentic industrial feel to your patio.
Best Chimeneas
LA HACIENDA MESH COLORADO MEDIUM CHIMENEA
LA HACIENDA MURCIA EXTRA LARGE CHIMENEA
Electric Patio Heaters vs Fire Pits
Deciding between and fire pit and patio heater isn’t easy, there are always a few things you should consider before making your purchase to find the best fit for your outdoor space.
Gas patio heaters will extend your time spent outdoors and provide you with a consistent heat output, however they can be expensive to purchase and operate. Whereas fire pits are excellent for producing both heat and light but require some upkeep. Fire pits regularly require cleaning to ensure good ventilation and the temperature may fluctuate as fuel levels burn and constantly change, unlike patio heaters which will keep a consistent temperature across the time it is on. Electric Patio Heaters are easy to move and position during use, unlike fire pits which once in use are hot to touch and should be kept a fair distance from flammable items.
Fuels make a huge difference between budget when looking at patio heaters and fire pits, patio heaters will be expensive to run due to the constant need to be plugged in. However, a fire pit will cost drastically less when using wood, coal, or charcoal – some may even use their own fuel found in gardens such as tree branches that have fallen or have required trimming.
When choosing between a patio heater and a fire pit, it’s important to consider your needs and budget. By taking the time to learn about the different types of outdoor heaters available, you can find the perfect one for your needs.
Best Electric Patio Heaters
La Hacienda Standing Quartz Heater
KALOS PLUSH ELECTRIC FLOOR STANDING HEATER
Chimenea vs Fire Pits
Choosing between a Fire Pit and Chimenea? In this section we will do the hard work of comparing the two for you, so you can find the best outdoor heater to suit your needs and your outside space.
You’ll find that these outdoor heat sources can be budget friendly, making them ideal choice for those who have a smaller budget for their outdoor space. Both fire pits and chimeneas produce light and warmth, but both have their separate benefits. Moreover, they both require upkeep to ensure their condition, and to avoid build up and allow for better ventilation. Both use coal, charcoal, and wood as their fuels, however if you are going for a traditional clay chimenea – you can only use dried firewood.
Fire pits with included grills are excellent to have for those who love to cook over the fire whereas chimeneas aren’t as accommodating to cooking. Lastly, chimeneas are perfect for those who are looking to minimise the amount of smoke they are exposed to as its fire chimney guides the smoke produced up. When it comes to fire pits, you are more exposed to the smoke it produces due to the openness of a fire pit itself, making this a less favourable option when it comes to looking for a smokeless or low-smoke outdoor heating solution.
When choosing between a fire pit and a chimenea, it’s important to consider your needs and. By taking the time to learn about the different types of outdoor heaters available, you can find the perfect one for your needs.
Best Heaters for Gazebos/Parasols
LA HACIENDA HEATMASTER SLIMLINE PARASOL HEATER
KALOS COPPER ELECTRIC PENDANT HEATER
Outdoor Heating Safety Tips
When using a naked flames or elevated temperature producing outdoor heating, it’s important to always stay safe. When used incorrectly, outdoor heaters can prove to be dangerous. Here are some safety tips to keep in mind!
- Never leave an outdoor heater unattended.
- Make sure that the area around the outdoor heater is clear of any flammable materials.
- Never use an outdoor heater indoors.
- Be sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions before using an outdoor heater.
- If you have small children or pets, it’s important to be extra careful around outdoor heaters.
Follow these tips you can help to prevent accidents and injuries around outdoor heating. Our staff are always happy to help, so if you do have any questions about using an outdoor heater – please don’t hesitate to speak to one of our many knowledgeable staff leave.
By following these safety tips, you can help prevent accidents and injuries. If you have any questions about using an outdoor heater, be sure to consult with a professional before using one.
