Who doesn’t like being able to extend the summer by sitting outside around a fire. It’s a great way to get an early start in spring or extend summer into autumn.

Regular fire pits and chimenea all have one major draw back to them though, they burn wood.

Sure we’ve burnt wood since the first cave man found a tree struck by lightning but thanks to modern technology we can have fire with out all the mess of ash and soot.

Using a gel fuel means we don’t have to shovel a bunch of ash out after use. Not only that but we don’t have to worry about any hot ashes catching the surrounding shrubbery on fire.

The Real Flame Sierra Outdoor Fireplace is a great outdoor heater. It uses up to four gel fuel packs in a sliding tray to give off plenty of warmth. There’s no worry about scraping out built up soot. All that is needed is to slide the tray out and replace the gel fuel packs

The Sierra outdoor gel fireplace is a sturdy piece of out door equipment to boot. It’s made out of powder coated steel, glass, and concrete weighing in at about seventy pounds.  It comes with a black finish so the minimal sooting that might occur from using gel packs won’t even show up.

Another feature you will like about the this fireplace is that it comes with a set of lava rocks to help disperse the heat. It also comes with a cover to put over it, protecting it from the elements. You can leave this fireplace outside all year long and not have to worry about it standing up to the elements.

Things we like

• Solid hefty construction

• Total heat output of the Sierra outdoor gel fireplace

• Ability to customize fuel usage from 1 gel pack up to 4 gel packs in a hidden tray

Real Flame Gel Fuel

• Made from gelled isopropyl alcohol
• Perfect for indoor and outdoor use
• 24 – 13 oz cans per case
• Environmentally friendly

Click to Buy the Real Flame Sierra Outdoor Fireplace and Real Flame Gel Fuel

Have you ever found yourself in the backyard thinking it was getting a little chilly and having to give up on enjoying a beautiful night outside because it was too cold? The CharBroil 03505784 Firenzy Outdoor Fireplace with Screen will bring those days to an end.

With the   Firenzy Outdoor Fireplace  you will be able ignore the chill in the air and light up a fire to keep you warm and toasty so you can enjoy much more of that fresh air that you love.

This easy to set up unit will put out heat, warming up everyone who is sitting around it. What a better way to wrap up an evening than to have your family and friends sitting together around this style of heating unit with a few drinks and great conversation.

Not only can it be a great heating unit, but you can also pop off a screen, pull out some sticks and marshmallows and make up a few smores after dinner. The kids will love it.

This fireplace measures 30x 21 x 7 inches and has a number of features including:

• Steel construction

• Screens on all sides for maximum heating

• Built-in log rack

• Powder coated for durability

What We Like

• It’s not as hard to assemble as it looks like it would be.

• It’s a great deal and a good unit for the price.

• We like the removable screens from the side that will let you put new wood in.

• It’s a very sturdy unit.

Other Things to Consider:

• Follow the manufacturers recommendations to ensure your fireplace is given proper maintenance and care, especially in more tropical or seaside locations.

• It gets VERY hot, so make sure you have gloves or something else to protect your hand from getting burned while using it.

CLICK HERE TO BUY & READ WHAT OTHERS HAVE TO SAY

Have you been thinking you would love to add a little more to your back yard? Perhaps you want to have a place to play at the end of the day. This could have you thinking that an outdoor fireplace is the perfect accessory. It can be as long as you make sure to get the right one for your yard. Here are some things to consider before you buy:

Fireplace or Fire Pit

Many people use these words interchangeably, so it bears a little mention. A fireplace is structure that is built with an obvious front where you tend to the fire and where the majority of the heat comes out of. A fire pit on the other hand is a usually round container where the heat and light of a fire emanates out on all sides.

Also,  consider if  you want an outdoor fireplace that allows you to cook food as well as keeping you warm.

Size

Remember the size something looks online or in a store can be very different than the size that it is once in your home. Make sure to take measurements of the area where you want your outdoor fireplace and look for a piece that fits. You will generally find that online stores include the measurements of the fireplace/fire pit in the item description.

Care

Before you purchase an outdoor fireplace find out what it will take to keep it in tip-top condition.  Some fireplaces  require more maintenance than others. It’s best to know what is needed before you have it installed.

Fuel Type

Do you want a fireplace that is burns wood or is powered by electricity or gas?  If you select gas, do you want to use natural gas or propane gas?  The fuel type is a major consideration when purchasing an outdoor fireplace from the point of view of both convenience and cost.  Also you local council may not allow wood burning fireplaces in the district. So if you are hankering to have a cozy wood burning stove you may have to rethink that option.

Safety

Before you make a purchase consider the safety issues  in your yard and home. If you have children and pets that are curious, you may want to make sure you have a more secure fireplace than if you don’t have these safety risks.  Make sure the fireplace is installed away from wooden fences and overhanging branches that may catch alight. Follow the manufacturers instructions for installation and use, they generally include a brochure with safety factors included.

So it is simply a matter of doing your homework before you make any purchase. Read up on the fireplace you like and ensure you purchase the size that suits your yard and family.  Once you know it will fill all of your needs, you will know you have selected the right one for your home.

There is nothing quite like being outdoors in the cooler months when you have an outdoor gas fireplace.

The Lennox Hearth Elite Stainless Outdoor Ventless Gas Fireplace adds an elegant and functional look to your outdoor entertaining area.

The front face, top, bottom and the firebox parts are all made from weather resistant, 304 stainless steel which not only looks good but is also durable. So this outdoor gas fireplace is going to last you a long time.

The fire  gives the appearance of a charred oak campfire-style log set and has been designed to give  you the natural look of real stacked wood, while the enclosed pan tube and hidden burner ports produce 17″  flames with a deep red glow that gives you the appearance of  a realistic fire.

There are no louvers to block your view of the fire through the 36 inch screened opened.

The back and side walls have a stylish herringbone pattern and there is a large stainless steel fire grate.

The fireplace has a maximum output of 50,000 BTU (Natural Gas) and 46,000 BTU (Propane) and you have total  control over the height and heat of the flame  simply by using the turn down valve.

There is a weather resistant control panel with junction box that can be  remotely installed in a convenient location.

Even a power failure won’t affect you using your fireplace as it has a battery backed-up ignition, so you are assured that your fireplace will ignite even during those times of power failure.

As this is a ventless fireplace and there is no chimney required, it can be placed on outdoor patios, screened porches and lanais.

What has smoking got to do with Patio Heaters?  Quite a lot, actually!  As many Countries now ban smoking indoors in pubs and restaurants, establishment owners have been increasingly found themselves having to provide outdoor areas for their smoking customers and buying outdoor heating to keep them warm in the cooler months.  This sudden surge in buying has brought the costs of outdoor heating down so that it is now an affordable option for homeowners.

There are many types of patio heater and it is important to choose the right one for your needs, space available and budget.  Here are ten things that you need to consider before making that exciting new purchase.

1.  Which type of outdoor heating will suit you best?

You can choose from free-standing, fixed (plumbed into your household gas supply), table-top, wall mounted (if space is tight), fire pits, or fireplaces.

2.  How would you prefer the heat to be generated?

The main choices here are gas, electricity and solid fuel although there are solar-powered models available too.

• Gas patio heaters look like lampposts and are known as ‘mushroom’ heaters.  They usually run from a canister of propane but they may also be plumbed into your household supply.

• Electric ones are infrared and may be freestanding, table top or wall mounted.

• Fire pits are basically free-standing, decorative metal receptacles for an outdoor fire.
  

• Brick built outdoor fireplaces are gaining in popularity and can look stunning.

3.  Where do you want it positioned?

Bear in mind that wind is not great for patio heaters.  A breeze of only five mph can double the amount of heat needed to warm the area – halving the efficiency of the heater.

The perfect setting would be a sheltered spot near walls, fences and overhead structures, to contain and radiate the heat back.

4.  I know where I want to put it but there are no walls or fences nearby…

Mushroom heaters radiate a lot of their heat horizontally, so if there are no walls or fences to help radiate it back, you may prefer to buy a Tilt Reflector Kit.  These are not expensive and can increase the both the heat and the efficiency of the heater.

5. Are they safe?

Yes – if you look for the right features.  Most heaters now have an electric starter so there’s no need to worry about lighting a pilot light with matches.  Another fairly standard feature is an automatic emergency shut off.  It the heater is overturned (which is fairly hard to do), tilted (if someone tries to reposition it while it’s running) or even hit, it will immediately turn itself off.  Flame failure devices are also pretty standard and will also shut it down safely.
Other features to look for are sealed burners and flame control.

Outdoor fire pits can be contained in a decorative unit or open.  Open ones will need to be treated with the respect due to any open fire.

6.  How much heat do you need?

The more expensive heaters can heat an area of up to twenty feet in diameter.  The more affordable ones will cover a ten foot diameter which is usually enough for most needs.  Many people buy more than one and overlap the heat outputs.

7.  What type of look are you going for?

Consider what your outdoor space and your home look like.  There are heaters in stainless steel or antique metal finishes, different colours, stone, metal and even glass.  Choosing a heater that is in keeping with your surroundings will help it to blend in and make it an attractive addition to your home.

8.  How much do you want to spend?

Budget is a consideration for most people.  Outdoor heaters start at quite basic, affordable prices.  Table-top heaters are the smallest and therefore the least expensive.  If you’re looking at a custom built outdoor fireplace you’d be parting with some serious cash – but it would add to the value of your home.
As with anything, prices do vary so shop around.

9.   Don’t forget the ‘hidden’ extras!

Gas tanks can run out when you most need them so you may wish to invest in a gas level indicator which attaches magnetically to the canister.  Crystals change colour when the gas is running low.
You may wish to keep a spare tank for easy changeover.  If you have nowhere to store it, covers or ‘outdoor tank cupboards’ are available.
Portable mushroom heaters should be kept in a shed or garage when not in use.  If this isn’t possible, you can buy a cover for it.  This is well worth the money as it will prolong the life of your heater.

10.  Watch out for fingerprints and bugs!

If greasy fingerprints are left on the surface of a reflector, they will burn into its surface and cause discoloration.  Before turning the heater on, clean the reflector with alcohol and a lint-free cloth.
Bugs are the biggest problem for outdoor heaters!  They set up nests in the burner openings and can cause annoying blockages.  A cover will keep them out.

There are many options when it comes to outdoor heating. You can choose from a simple fire pit or construct  a beautiful and elaborate  stone and mortar number that will endure for years and become a permanent focal point of your home.

One thing that most of these options have in common, though, is that the majority of them utilize wood to heat your outdoor space. And while wood has its endearing qualities, many people simply do not have the time to build a fire in one of these let alone clean and maintain them. Gas outdoor fireplaces, on the other hand, require virtually no maintenance and starting a blaze in them is as easy as pushing a button.

As with traditional outdoor heating sources, there are many options with gas fireplaces. There are small, portable gas heaters that resemble rolling carts and beautiful gas clay chimineas. You can construct a gas fireplace/cook stove or surround your outdoor patio with gas patio heaters.

The options are limitless.

Gas Outdoor Fire Places – Mess Free

No matter how you choose to heat your space, doing so with gas has many benefits. With gas heat, there is no fire to build, maintain and clean up after. Gas heat is delivered instantly when you need it. Never again will you and your guests have to huddle around a small flame waiting for the promise of warmth that comes from a roaring fire. Gas heaters also turn off in a moment so that means that you won’t have to bank and tend to a dying fire for fear of sparking a blaze.

And with a gas fireplace you will not have to worry about storing and splitting wood or having supplies on hand for kindling. This alone is reason enough for many to choose gas heating instead of wood. But for some, the romance of a wood fire will always win out over convenience. Only you can make the best choice for your outdoor space.

The Benefits of Outdoor Natural Gas Heaters

If you want to create an oasis of warmth in your patio or back yard, outdoor natural gas heaters can help you.  Clean-burning, economical natural gas has many advantages over electric or wood-burning heating units.  Here are the top ten reasons why natural gas is so popular.

Natural gas is:

Flexible – Using natural gas in an outdoor heater, you have the choice of using the existing gas lines in your home for a permanent installation or a liquid propane tank to fuel a portable patio heater.

Powerful – Residential natural gas heaters can provide up to 50,000 BTU of energy, warming your outdoor living area by as much as 30 degrees Fahrenheit and casting cozy warmth over a radius of 20 feet.

Convenient – If you already have gas lines installed in your home, the fuel for your outdoor heater will be delivered directly to your door.  If you use a propane tank, refills are widely available, without hassle or fuss.

Comfortable – Natural gas delivers warm, cozy air mere moments after the unit is turned on, without messing with dirty wood or expensive electricity.

Economical – Natural gas is one of the most cost-efficient heating methods available today, costing only a fraction of the price of electricity.

Environmentally friendly – Natural gas heaters burn cleanly, without releasing carbon dioxide or toxins into the air.

Neighbor friendly – Billows of smoke from a wood-burning outdoor heater can lower air quality and disturb your neighbors.  A natural gas heater releases no smoke or burning smell.

Attractive – Natural gas heaters come in a wide variety of styles to fit any patio décor.

Tidy – With natural gas, you never have to worry about long electrical cords, which can be a tripping hazard, or stacking piles of wood on your porch.

Safe – Natural gas heaters come with a variety of safety features, including heat controls, sealed burners, and safety tilt switches, which keep your home and your family safe.

Why wait? Find the natural gas heater that is right for your outdoor living space today!