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Enjoy Café Culture at home with Propane Patio Heaters

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Café culture and outdoor restaurant dining has recently boomed in popularity.  Many people are taking these ideas home with them and creating their own outdoor dining areas.  The propane patio heater, so commonly used now in city cafes, plays a large part in creating that ambience.

The increase in popularity has meant that outdoor patio heaters are now more affordable than ever.  The most popular type is fuelled by a tank of propane gas and is versatile and reasonably priced.  These are called ‘mushroom’ or ‘umbrella’ heaters because that is what they resemble.

Rays of heat radiate from the ‘mushroom’ top and can warm an area of 12 – 20 feet in diameter, depending on the model that you buy.  The bigger the ‘mushroom’, the bigger the area it heats!

Are they expensive to run?

No – they’re quite economical.  Depending on the level of heat output that you select, a standard tank of propane will last for between ten and twelve hours – long enough for most outdoor parties!

Most models house the gas tank in the base of the unit – so it’s out of sight and also gives the heater a low center of gravity which helps to prevent it tipping over.  This is a necessity as many models are around eight feet tall!

It’s advisable to keep a spare tank as nothing is more annoying than running out of gas just before the guests arrive!

To take the guesswork out of it, it’s worth buying a ‘gas level indicator’.  This is a very inexpensive small unit that fixes magnetically to the side of the tank.  When the gas is running low, crystals in the unit change color.

If you have nowhere to house a spare tank and don’t like the thought of it decorating your outdoor space, it is possible to buy slip-on tank covers or you may consider having an outdoor cupboard built against the wall.

How moving!

Many people prefer these heaters because they are portable so you can position them wherever you like.  Just make sure that they are on level ground.

Most models now feature wheels, discretely hidden in the base, for maneuverability.  When not is use, it is easy to store them in a garage or shed to protect them from the weather.  Salt air is particularly bad as it can cause the metal housing to erode.

Storage also helps to prevent the common problem of bugs setting up home in the burner orifices.   Check the orifices regularly to prevent annoying blockages.  If no storage is available, waterproof, slip-on covers are easily obtainable.

The heaters are available in stainless steel and now in other colors and finishes too.  As their popularity grows, so more styles are becoming available.  It pays to shop around until you find what you want.  Once you have chosen a model, check out different suppliers for the best price.

If you’re still undecided, don’t forget that as these heaters are portable, they can also be used to heat

Add Comfort and Quality to Your Patio with a Blue Rooster Chiminea

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blue-rooster-venetian-cast-aluminum-chimineaWhen it comes to adding a fire source to your outside patio or garden, quality is one of the most important factors to consider.

Shoddy workmanship not only shortens the lifespan of your outdoor grill, but it also can put the lives of yourself, your family, and your friends in jeopardy. This is why a Blue Rooster Chiminea is such an excellent choice.

Blue Rooster creates high-quality chimineas from cast iron and cast aluminum. These chimineas will not break or crack as easily as their clay counterparts, giving them a longer lifespan. A chiminea such as this Venetian Cast Aluminum from Blue Rooster can last years longer than a low-quality outdoor oven made from clay.

Unlike some other companies, Blue Rooster does not try to cut corners in the quality of the metal used in their chimineas.

Cast iron chimineas can weigh up to 200 pounds. Why is that an advantage for a homeowner? Heavier chimineas will resist tipping, which is both a safety hazard and a threat to the longevity of the oven. Furthermore, solid cast iron will resist dents, chips, and other damage that can occur over time.

A cast aluminum chiminea from Blue Rooster is somewhat lighter than iron, which makes it more portable. It also requires little to no maintenance, whereas cast iron chimineas need to be painted to prevent rust.

A true cast aluminum oven will also serve your family for many years; just be sure that the quality of the metal is high. Cast aluminum should not be mistaken for cheap sheet metal ovens, which do not have the durability that can be found from Blue Rooster.

Turn to Blue Rooster if you want to buy a safe and long-lasting chiminea that your family can enjoy worry-free.

Add Ambiance to Outdoor Dining with a Fire Pit Table

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strathwood-st-thomas-cast-aluminum-table-with-fire-pitEveryone loves to gather around a fire.  From the excitement of crackling wood and leaping flames to the tranquil beauty of glowing embers, fire provides the warmth and ambiance to create a convivial atmosphere for outdoor dining.  If you would love an easy and convenient way for your friends and family to sit around a cozy fire in your own back yard, then you should consider a fire pit table.

A table with a built-in firepit is a great way to enjoy the crackling flames in comfort.  Forget about trying to carry your patio chairs down to the campfire, or sitting on the cold ground with only a thin blanket to protect you.  Now you can have the fire right where you want it – in the middle of your gathering.

If you feel like you are only able to enjoy your outdoor living area a few nights a year, fire pit tables really extend the usefulness of your patio.  Have dinner in comfort, even on cool evenings, thanks to the warmth radiating from the flickering fire.  Let your guests grill their own meals to perfection without ever having to leave the table.  Toast marshmallows over the flames for dessert, and then chat over drinks as the fire burns down.

Fire pit tables are a lovely addition to any outdoor area.  Choose from tabletops made of lovely granite, elegant marble, natural stone, or decorative materials such as cast aluminum or faux bamboo.  The firepots themselves come in a wide variety of styles to match the tables, ranging from dark cast iron to brilliantly polished copper.  Whatever style you’ve chosen for your patio area, you can find a firepit table to match.

A table with a fire pit built in is a focal point for your outdoor living space, a convenient grill, and a beautiful way to warm your patio.  Why not consider one for your deck or garden?

If you want to enhance your outdoor entertainment area with a practical heating and serving solution Amazon.com have just what you need with their  great range of tables with built in firepits.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Gas Patio Heaters!

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Many people are now discovering that patio heaters are an affordable way of outdoor heating to make the most of an outdoor space.  Trying to choose the right model to suit your needs can be confusing.

One of the decisions to make is how you want it to run.  Gas patio heaters are usually cheaper than electrical ones and this makes them a popular choice.

If you decide that gas if for you, then you have the choice of buying a heater that runs from a propane gas canister or one that runs on natural gas and can be hooked up to your household gas supply.  Both have their pros and cons.

Hook up or bottle?

natural gas is cheaper than propane and it burns much more cleanly.  So, it’ll save you money and be better for the environment.  However, putting in a gas line to your patio is a job for a certified contractor.

Ask your gas company for a list of properly credited contractors who could do this – and then get several quotes before choosing someone.  The job shouldn’t take more than a couple of hours.  Make sure that you ask the fitter to fix up a ‘quick connect’ hook up for you and ask him to fit one with a cover that drops down.  This will protect it from the weather and nesting bugs!  Once it’s fitted, you will be able to quickly and easily connect your heater to the house supply.

It also means that in the unlikely event of the patio heater catching fire, you can turn off the gas supply at the ‘quick connect’ point without having to go near the heater itself.  You can also disconnect it for storage elsewhere when it’s not in use.

Having a patio heater that you can hook up means that you never need worry about the gas running out and getting caught without a spare!  It also solves the problem of where to store spare bottles of gas as there aren’t any!  But it does mean that you will be limited as to where you can position your heater.  The maximum length allowed for a hook up hose is 12 feet.

sunglo-natural-gas-patio-heaterIf you don’t have a home gas supply or you don’t want the cost and hassle of having a gas line run to your patio then a propane gas bottle version would suit you better.  It would also give you the choice of having your heater in different positions and means that you could use it to heat the garage or a workshop.

The bottle that runs the unit usually sits in the base and is not seen.  Don’t forget that you will probably want to buy a spare tank.  If you have nowhere to store it, you may wish to buy a cover for it or have a ‘bottle cupboard’ built against the wall.

Whichever gas you choose, your Patio heater will give you pleasure for many years and will take your outdoor entertaining experience to a new level!

A Guide to Cleaning Outdoor Fireplaces

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As with indoor fireplaces, an outdoor fireplace requires cleaning and maintenance to keep it looking and working at its best. While you might not have to clean your outdoor fireplace as often, you will need to be sure to keep it reasonably tidy and maintained.

To do this, follow these simple tips:

Wood burning outdoor fireplaces require more cleaning and maintenance than the gas variety. The main issue with cleaning outdoor fireplaces is ash removal. The tendency with outdoor fireplaces is to let the ash build up until it becomes unmanageable or it starts to cause problems or hazards. To avoid this, clean the ash out of your fireplace weekly. If you use your fireplace every night, you might want to step this up to two or three times a week.

Other problems that are unique to outdoor fireplaces are animal droppings and weather elements that might work to mar the brick and mortar of your fireplace. To keep these issues from becoming overwhelming, clean any droppings or stains on the brick immediately after you spot them. Cleaning a spot here and there is a lot easier to handle than spending an entire afternoon on this nasty little project.

Also remember to clean your chimney if you have one. Even though the chimney on your outdoor fireplace does not pass through your home, a clean chimney is vital to maintain a properly burning fire and is a necessity for directing the smoke up and into the air instead of out to you and your guests.

Accessories and Parts

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landmann-outdoor-fireplaceBuilding your own outdoor fireplace allows you so many choices. You may just want to build a simple outdoor firepit or you may be looking to build a full stone outdoor kitchen.

Whatever your choice you are going to need all the parts to make your project come to life.

More coming soon….

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