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.

If 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!

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.

Building 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….

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could experience the warmth of summer all year round. That way we could make full use of our patio areas for outdoor living.

People love to entertain outdoors. Many times, the only reason that a party ends up being moved inside or to another location is that it just gets downright chilly after the sun goes down.

By adding a patio heater to the outdoor living area means you can spend more time outdoors having barbecues or just sitting around sipping wine and chatting with family and friends.

Versatile patio heaters allow you to make full use of your outdoor area in winter. Most patio heaters resemble tall, slender poles with a conical-shaped head that disperses heat over a circular area. Depending on the model you purchase, this area can be quite large.

In fact, many heaters can heat up to a 20 foot diameter. As you can imagine, the use of several of these patio heaters in your outdoor seating or entertainment area can keep your space quite warm.

Outdoor heaters are available in a wide range of styles and can be chosen to compliment your home and individual decorating style. Many are stainless steel but you can choose from designer options such as Antique Copper.

Patio Heaters: Gas, Propane and Infrared

Patio heaters utilize fuel, either propane or natural gas, to create heat. This is an advantage for many people over wood-burning options because there is no fire to start or tend and the warmth radiates almost immediately after turning the heater on.

Patio heaters are also ideal for wooden patios or areas very near the home where risk of fire might be a worry. And the fan-forced heat of a patio heater will allow your guests to roam about instead of keeping them huddling around a central fire.

Depending on how large of an area you want to heat, patio heaters can be a little expensive. One of these can cost you anywhere from just under $200 to $800 or more depending on the model. If you want to heat a large space, you can see how the cost to add enough patio heaters to do the job could cost you quite a bit.

But when it comes to providing radiant warmth over your entire outdoor space, strategically positioned patio heaters could be your best bet.

Blue Rooster Chiminea

Improve the aesthic look of your outdoor entertaining area while keeping warm this winter. Chiminea are a work of art providing good looks as well as being functional. Outdoor heating never looked so good.

The chiminea has been an integral part of many homes for more than 400 years. Resembling a large clay vase with a hole in the side, this primitive heat source was traditionally used to heat the home and prepare meals. Today, the necessity of chimineas has lessened but they are still very popular especially in outdoor entertainment and seating areas.

While the chimineas of old were made out of a solid piece of fired clay, a few different materials are used to create them today. Yes, clay is still a beautiful option but you can also choose from cast iron and cast aluminum as well. There are advantages and disadvantages to each material so be sure to do your research before you make your final selection.

Copperfield 16139 GSS36N Outdoor Fireplace

When landscaping their outdoor spaces, many people choose to splurge on one major feature.

Many times this is a water feature such as a fountain or pond. While these features are beautiful and add ambience to any outdoor space, they offer little else by way of comfort. Outdoor fireplaces, on the other hand, can add beauty, ambience, functionality and comfort to your outdoor areas.

Fireplaces are also a great way to add a decorative focal point to any space. You can create an elegant statement or add rustic charm. You can incorporate them into elaborate outdoor entertaining areas or simply create an intimate, cozy area for you and that special someone. Or how about snuggling up to a fire after an evening dip in the pool?

Fireplaces – Make practical use of the outdoors in the Fall & Winter.

Another reason that you may want to include a fireplace in your outdoor plan is a very practical one. You may have noticed that the use of traditional indoor fireplaces has declined. This is not because people do not want to have fireplaces in their home. It is because insurance companies have made it very expensive and sometimes impossible to include one in your home. With an outdoor fireplace, though, you can still have the fireplace that you’ve always dreamed of and it won’t cost you a fortune in insurance premiums.

Fireplaces are also more functional than building a regular pitted fire in many ways. With a fireplace, you can direct heat into your seating area instead of dispersing it aimlessly into the air. Just think about the times that you’ve sat with your loved ones around a fire. Did it seem like every time that you got comfy the wind would shift and the comfy warmth you were feeling would be replaced by a chilly breeze? And what about the smoke? With a fireplace the smoke is directed up and away from you and your guests.

Granted, fireplaces take a little more thought and planning than a fire pit would. Some are permanent fixtures and cost quite a bit more. So, they should only be chosen by people who would really get some use out of them or those who want to increase the value of their home. If this doesn’t sound like you, you might want to look into portable fireplaces. These cost quite a bit less and can be moved when your décor changes or if you move from your home.