A patio heater is a great way to stave off the chill of a fall night. Patio heaters come in all sorts of different varieties, from the classic wood burning chiminea to a freestanding propane heater. Whichever type of patio heater you have though will require a little bit of upkeep to make sure it stays working for years to come. How to clean your patio heater basically boils down to the type of heater you own.
Here are a few tips on cleaning the different types:
Chiminea: The most important thing to remember before cleaning a chiminea is to make sure it’s completely cool before starting. If you spray cold water on a hot chiminea it can shatter. Move the chiminea to somewhere you can clean it. Next empty any ash, wood or charcoal out of it. Now spray out the inside of the chiminea with a garden hose nozzle. Use a stiff nylon brush on the chiminea stack to remove any soot. Just let the unit dry and move back into place.
Fire pit: A fire pit cleans about the same as a chiminea. Empty the fire pit, hose down the flame arrestor screen and scrub the sides and bowl of the pit.
Propane heater: Propane burns much cleaner than wood or charcoal so you’re clean up will be much easier. You don’t need to worry about cleaning up a bunch of soot and ash. Instead shut off the gas supply to the propane heater and wipe the entire unit down with a damp cloth. The fire screen will probably be a little discolored from heat; unfortunately there isn’t much you can do about that. The metal changes color when exposed to heat. Just make sure there isn’t any dust or soot on the fire screen itself. And you’re finished
These are just a few tips on how to clean your patio heater. With proper care it will last you for years and let you enjoy plenty of crisp fall evenings.
An outdoor fireplace is a great way to extend your summer evenings outside. You do need a little bit of caution with them though. Outdoor fireplaces get very very hot and can cause serious injury if the proper precautions aren’t taken. One of the best things you can do is figure out how to childproof your outdoor fireplace. Childproofing your outdoor fireplace will give you greater peace of mind and let you relax and just enjoy the cool fall air.
The first thing that you’ll want to do to childproof your outdoor fire place is make sure that there’s a spark arrestor and flame guard installed. These are typically a heavy gauge wire mesh screen that you install over the hearth of the outdoor fireplace. A spark arrestor and flame guard will keep your child from being able to reach into the fireplace itself as well as prevent any sparks from jumping out.
Another thing you can use to childproof your outdoor fireplace is a barrier. What this means is that you spend a little bit of time installing a decorative fence around the outdoor fireplace. Make this an off limits area for the kids. You’ll still get plenty of heat from the fireplace and the fence will add a decorative border.
Use safer fuels for the outdoor fireplace. This includes fire gels, paper logs, and charcoal. These items won’t pop like a piece of wood eliminating some of the risk of shooting up a shower of sparks.
How to childproof an outdoor fireplace just takes a little bit of planning before use. Eliminate the chances of sparks by using a spark arrestor and low spark fuels. Create a barrier around the fireplace to keep kids at a safe distance and most important of all don’t let the kids around a hot fireplace unless an adult is there to supervise.
A fire pit is a wonderful place to sit and chat when the weather starts to cool off. Raised fire pits with a built in table are especially appealing. You don’t have to go through the hassle of digging a hole in your back yard. Instead a table and fire pit is portable and can be put on any decking. Not only do you get a great cozy fire but with the table you have a place to set your drinks and plates.
Since the Strathwood table is made out of aluminum it’s much lighter than other units made out of steel. This means you can easily move the fire pit around for cleaning. Another great thing about aluminum is that you don’t have to worry about it rusting out.
The copper fire pit really sets off the black aluminum. It’s a great set of contrasting colors that really catches the eye.
Things We Like about the Strathwood St Thomas Table with Fire Pit:
The fire pit is recessed below the table and comes with a lid that matches the scroll work of the table. The lid serves as a spark catcher as well.
This unit is very reasonably priced. We’ve seen units that cost a lot more but don’t offer nearly the quality and value of the Strathwood St. Thomas cast aluminum table and fire pit.
Another thing to keep in mind is how easy it is to assemble. The directions are clear and you can set it up in just a few short minutes.
Create a Co-ordinated look for your Strathwood fire pit
Just look at the great range of patio furniture that lets you create a totally coordinated look on your patio or in your entertainment area to match Strathwood St Thomas fire pit.
Chimineas are very popular additions to many backyards. This is not a surprise if you have seen one. They offer the warmth and coziness of a fire, while being made in a beautiful clay pot formation that has a folksy and homey feel to it.
But it is important to remember that chimineas are fragile. After all they are made of clay and the proper care of them means you need to keep a lot of rules in mind.
Getting it Home
The first hurdle you have to overcome is getting your chiminea home. Usually, chimineas come in two pieces the chimney and the bowl when you are taking your chiminea home you should separate these pieces and try to make sure each are set where they will be protected and not bang around as that could risk breakage. Of course when you buy online, your chiminea will be delivered right to your door properly packaged.
Seasoning
When you first get your clay chiminea home you will need to season it. This means you need to create a small fire inside the chiminea. Choose a couple of large pieces of wood and let them burn out on their own. This long burning time will do a couple of things it will remove any chemicals that may be inside your chiminea from it’s creation and also help seal the inside which will give it a longer life.
Weather
Most people see clay chimineas outside and think that they can just toss them in the backyard and leave them. This is not the case. It is vital to remember that most chimineas do not have any protection against the elements. They are simply fired clay. Rain and water can damage them. Therefore you, you may want to apply a coat of sealant in an attempt to protect your chiminea from the elements. Also keep in mind if it is too cold outside, the clay may crack, so when winter approaches, it’s best to bring your chiminea in out of the weather.
Many people who have a chiminea in their backyard initially purchased it as a way to be able to have a great heating element in their backyard. But eventually, they always ask the question, can I cook in my chiminea? The answer is yes and here’s how.
Season
You should always season your chiminea before you ever use it for cooking food. You never know what kinds of chemicals and treatments were used on it when it was being made and you want to burn these off. To season it start a number of fires in the chiminea and let them burn for a while. This should burn off any residue.
Preheat
The first thing you need to do is preheat the chiminea. If you have cooked with any type of grill you understand this is typical procedure for cooking. Start by setting charcoal briquettes inside the chiminea and let them burn for a while. It is important that you use self-lighting charcoal, as you do NOT want to use any lighter fluid or other accelerant in your chiminea.
Bring On the Food
Put the food you want to cook on skewers or wrap them in foil. You can also put them on metal sheets before putting them in the fire.
If you have a grill built into your chiminea you can set the food on this area. If not, you can set foil wrapped foods directly on the charcoal and let them cook that way. Make sure to use a tool like tongs made for a grill to put the food items in, as the chiminea will be hot.
Check your food. A chiminea can cook food very quickly sometimes; so don’t get too far away from your food. The reason for this is because the heat radiates into the food from all sides, as it is essentially a hot pot. You should check it regularly (every 10 minutes or so)
Nothing brings warmth to your backyard like an outdoor fireplace. But just like an indoor one it needs periodic cleaning. The joy of it being outside is you don’t have to worry as much about kicking up soot and dust. But you do still have to clean it up from time to time. Not sure about how to go about it?
Here are a few tips when it comes time to clean your outdoor fireplace.
The first thing you want to do is make sure that there aren’t any hot embers in the fireplace. Wait at least a day after use before scooping the ash out of it. You don’t want to catch your trashcan on fire.
After you’ve swept out the major ash piles just grab your garden hose. Spray the whole thing down from top to bottom. This should remove most of the soot and dirt from it. It also helps to wet down any dust and keep it from flying all over the yard and in your face.
The next thing you need is a stiff nylon brush and a bucket of hot soapy water. Crawl up into the fireplace. Starting at the top, scrub all around the inside working your way down to the base and back of the fireplace. Next work your way back out scooping all the dirty water towards the front.
If there isn’t much build up then this should be all you need to do to have a nice clean fireplace. If you still have some trouble spots though you’ll need to break out some harsher chemicals.
Use a fireplace cleaner specially designed for removing caked on soot. Be sure to wear gloves and goggles to prevent any skin or eye irritation.
Just spot treat the trouble areas then hose off. That should do it!
If you clean your outdoor fireplace on a regular basis you will minimize the effort required to keep the fireplace in excellent condition.
is a great combination table. The decorative scroll work in the aluminum tabletop adds a touch of style and class to the unit.