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How to Clean Your Patio Heater

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A patio heater is a great way to stave off the chill of a fall night. Patio heaters come in a range of different varieties, from the classic wood burning chiminea to a freestanding propane heater.  Regardless of the type of patio heater you have, it will require a little bit of upkeep to make sure it stays in good working order 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 may shatter.  Empty out any ash, wood or charcoal from the base.  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 to air dry.
  • Fire pit:  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 your 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.

How to Childproof Your Outdoor Fireplace

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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 safe 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.

Tips for Caring for Your Clay Chiminea

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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.

How to Clean Your Outdoor Fireplace

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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.

How to Choose a Tabletop Patio Heater

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endless-summer-vacation-day-tabletop-heaterWhen it comes to outdoor entertaining in the cooler months  Tabletop patio heaters are a great accent piece for any type of outdoor furniture. They can help take the chill off an autumn night or serve as a great brazier for some quick outdoor cooking. There are a few things to know though when choosing a tabletop patio heater.

The first thing to consider is safety. Only use patio heaters outside. Both propane and charcoal give off carbon monoxide when lit.

The two main options for a tabletop heater are gas and charcoal. Both of them have their own advantages and disadvantages. And of course there are also electric patio heaters if you have a consistent electricity supply and your power costs are reasonable.

First let’s look at charcoal braziers. On the plus side they’re the cheapest heaters out there. All you need is a basic bowl with some briquettes in it.  Put a fireplace base under it and you’re set for heat.

The disadvantage of charcoal is the mess it leaves behind. You’ll have to clean out the heater after every use. Not to mention having to keep a supply of charcoal on hand for whenever you want to use it.

Next up is a propane heater. The biggest advantage to propane is never having to worry about cleaning it up. Propane burns clean. A propane heater can also be manufactured in a lot more styles than charcoal. You’ll be able to find exactly the right heater.

The biggest draw back to a propane heater is the need for a gas bottle. Unless you buy a fully self-contained unit you’ll have a gas bottle cluttering up the area.

Whatever your choice, a gas, electric  or charcoal tabletop patio heater is a great way to add style to your backyard. You can find one in any price range. Even tables that have braziers built into them. The most important thing is finding one that works for your backyard set up.

Tips for Building Your Own Outdoor Firepit

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Would you like to have the atmosphere and convenience of having an outdoor firepit for warmth and cooking, without the cost of purchasing one pre-made?  If so, the good news is that building your own custom firepit is both easy and rewarding.  However, getting started with fire pit building can be daunting if you have never done it before.  Here are the basic planning steps that you’ll need to follow to enjoy the warmth of an outdoor fire in your own back yard.

1. Decide what type of firepit you want.

An outdoor fire pit can burn wood, use a propane gas tank, or be attached to your home’s natural gas lines.  Your choice of fuel will influence many factors, from the placement of your pit to the designs that will work best for you, so it’s a good idea to make this decision early.

2. Scope out a site for your fire pit.

Your next step will be to decide where you will want to build.  Outdoor fire pits are permanent structures, so you’ll want to choose well.  Pick a place that is a safe distance away from flammable structures and foot traffic in your yard.  You’ll also want to choose a spot that has room for people to sit around the campfire and enjoy its warmth.  Before you get your heart set on a particular location, check with your local fire department to find out what laws and ordinances in your area apply.

3. Get inspired.

Firepits come in a wide variety of styles and materials.  In order to ensure that your hard work results in a pit enhances the atmosphere of your backyard or patio area, look over a wide variety of choices to pick the design that most inspires you.  Design magazines, home television shows, outdoor living books, and internet sites are excellent sources of inspiration.

Once you have a plan in mind, building your own firepit is an affordable way to raise home values and to increase your own enjoyment of your outdoor living area.