There’s a Chill in the Air
Not to be dissuaded by the cold of winter, we started looking for ways to keep warm while still enjoying our patio even though winter has set in. Some kind of localized heat generator was going to be needed (read: a heater right next to me on the cold patio). Since our patio is not connected to our house in the backyard we need a free standing unit that would keep four to six people toasty.
Power Sources to Consider
Our patio has no electrical service run to it. And, although our stove, furnace, and water heater are natural gas, the cost to pipe and bury a gas line from our house to the patio was more than we wanted to invest for outdoor heat. Plus, we wanted our heat source to be mobile over the entire 432 square feet of patio surface. So the heater must be portable (moveable). That left propane as the best option.
Research, of Course . . .
We started looking at all the propane patio heater options available that fit our criteria:
- Portable
- Uses a 20 LB tank (I already had a spare tank and didn’t want to buy another potentially adding $40 to $50 to my cost)
- Heat at least a 100 square foot area (10’ x 10’)
- Low maintenance
- Well constructed for longevity
- Purchase price of $150 or less with emphasis on “less”
Many propane patio heater models looked very similar so buyer reviews became very important. Sometimes buyers were complaining about the same issues on any given model — not good. Sometimes buyers loved their purchase and updated their review months or years later to say that their unit was still performing very well — wonderful! So buyer reviews can be very helpful to your research, especially if you read them from several unbiased sources. And remember to pay it forward. If you rely on credible reviews to influence your purchase and you are happy (or not), be sure and take the time to review the product yourself for the benefit of the next person researching the same item.
We Made Our Choice: Propane Patio Heater
When is was all said and done, we found a model at a local BJ’s Wholesale Club. Buying local for this item was a blessing as many reviewers of propane patio heaters they purchased identified damage to their purchase due to shipping. I didn’t want to hassle with a supplier over damaged goods.
Here’s the blurb about our propane patio heater from BJ’s Wholesale Club website:
Berkley Jensen Outdoor Propane Heater
“This heater neatly conceals a standard BBQ style propane tank up to 30-lbs. inside the stainless steel base. Powerful heat element produces over 48,000 BTU’s of radiant heat that reaches out up to a full 15′ around the unit (175 sq./ft).”
The three most important factors to consider when choosing a propane patio heater are its size, its BTU output, and the heating diameter it covers. Heating diameter can vary considerably depending on the brand and style of heater; make sure you have a model that covers the entire area you want to keep warm.
Generally outdoor propane patio heaters run from $150 to $200 or more but can be had for less if you are diligent in your research. We paid less than $100 on sale at BJ’s Wholesale Club.
Important Note:
Once you make a purchase, please read your heater owner’s manual specifically to note the amount of open space needed for your propane patio heater both side to side and on top of the heating unit to prevent starting a unintended fire.
Patio Heaters Are a Necessity for Winter Entertaining
A friend of mine and I have a habit of enjoying a cheap scotch on the patio most Friday afternoons. Summer adult beverages were easy. But when it got cold that made our ritual a challenge. Enter the propane patio heater. We’ve used it down to around 40 degrees (maybe a bit colder) and it has worked splendidly. It can be breezy (sometimes windy) on our patio and that diminishes it’s heating capacity, but when the breeze quits we are toasty!
UPDATE
OK, so it is December 2023. We have just begun to use our patio heater for this cool-air season. And . . . it wouldn’t start.
In the summer season I had disconnected the propane line from the propane tank and wrapped the line and regulator in plastic to prevent dirt from getting blown in and plugging up the line. Plus, I could smell gas when I tried the final step in lighting the heater. So the line and regulator were not the problem.
Next, I went to YouTube and typed in “outdoor propane heater will not start”. There were several videos from other people who had experienced the same issue. They recommended taking off the top of the heater to look at the simple workings of how the gas gets ignited. They mainly focused on the thermocouple that has to get hot and stay hot when you first start the heater. The hot thermocouple acts as a constant igniter for the gas running the heat lamp until you shut the gas off. If the thermocouple gets dirty or sooty it won’t get hot enough to continue to ignite the gas as the heater is running. The recommended fix is to clean the thermocouple with some steel wool and then reinstall the top of the heater. But that wasn’t my issue. My thermocouple was still bright and shiny.
Now, when I worked the manual spark clicker (meaning the starting clicker was not battery operated) used for igniting the gas there was no spark. That was the problem.
I seriously thought about replacing the heater because many of the commenters on the YouTube repair videos said they were just about to replace their heater until they watched the repair videos. Their issue was the thermocouple and so they fixed their heaters and are now toasty warm. But I was not interested in buying a new part — my clicker — for a heater that I had only used a few times last season. So, what was my “old school” fix that works every time, saved me from buying a new heater, and has kept me toasty warm on my patio during these cool autumn days and nights? Matches.
There is a hole at the bottom of the heater head where the gas comes out from the tank. It is there to start your heater with a match. Strike your match and put it in the hole. Then turn your heater gas knob to “start”. Volia! Instant start! Just don’t push in the “start” button releasing gas into the heater head and then start messing around with your matches unless you want your hair to get scorched. Even safer yet, use a Click N Flame Butane Lighter.
This is an easy fix and now I am throughly enjoying my patio heater once again without spending any money on a repair. Oh, and remember to enjoy a Julie’s Hot Toddy while you’re getting nice and warm under your patio heater.
Propane Patio Heater FAQ
Are propane patio heaters worth it?
Propane patio heaters are a great option, as they heat quickly and can be easily moved from one spot on the patio to another. The average heating area for any outdoor heater is about 100 square feet. Typically, a propane patio heater is effective to about 40 degrees. Effectiveness drops as the temperature cools.
How long does a 20 LB propane tank last in an outdoor patio heater?
The average portable propane patio heater houses a 20 LB propane tank or about 4.7 gallons of fuel. A 20 LB propane tank can last up to 10 hours and costs between $15 – $20 to fill up, making the average cost per hour between $1.50 – $2.00.
Can a propane heater be used on a covered porch?
Propane patio heaters typically require measurable amounts of clear space and can be safely used as long as there is proper ventilation and clearance — at least three around the heating unit and at least three feet above the heating unit as a minimum clearance away from any fire hazard or other combustible materials. Please, let common sense be your guide, and consult your product’s owner’s manual for specifics.
Can outdoor propane heaters be left out in the rain?
No. Outdoor gas heaters should be stored in the upright position in an area that is sheltered from direct contact with rain and other inclement weather conditions.
Wheels are important to be able to reposition your patio heater under covering to avoid leaving it out in inclement weather such as hard rain or excessive snow.
What does BTU mean?
The British Thermal Unit is a way to measure energy. One BTU is the amount of energy it takes to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit at sea level.
A heater with a higher BTU rating is more powerful — that is, it has a higher heat output than one with a low BTU rating. The higher the BTU the better to raise the temperature in your space each hour, so you can either heat your space more quickly or heat a larger space.
Please Leave a Comment: Propane Patio Heater
Leave a comment below and tell us if this information was of value to you or let us know what we missed and can add to this post. Have you added a heater(s) to your patio and what kind? Let us know how it is working for you. Add a picture so we can see you relaxing on your (winter) patio, warm and toasty and sipping a Julie’s Hot Toddy.
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