What is a patio heater and how effectively can it keep my guests and or customers warm? The most common patio heaters are the mushroom heaters, the heat shroud at the top is what gives it the nickname “mushroom,” mushroom heaters are powered by propane and or gas and provides up to 40,000 BTU’s of heat. They provide great supplemental warmth and are most effective in dining areas and or patio decks. Restaurants will normally carry at least five or more patio heaters as they are both aesthetically appealing and effective in providing supplemental warmth in outdoor settings. The stainless steel Firesense patio heater below is commonly found in many commercial settings.
When in action they will feature a small flame and a red glow at the top of the patio heater, you can see this from the picture above of the Firesense patio heater. Patio heaters are available in a wide range of models and styles, the main difference between patio heaters are the power source whether that may be propane, gas, or electric.
Outdoor fire pits, fire tables, and tabletop fireplaces are also great supplemental sources of heat while providing great aesthetic appeal. Depending on the model and style that you select there are different fuel sources for fire pits and fire pit tables which can vary from ethanol fuel, propane, gas, and or traditional wood or coal fuel. Special considerations to take into account when mounting and installing a patio heater or gas fire pit is your building code, installations do need to conform to local codes especially for commercial patio heaters. You will also want plenty of air in the surrounding area as with no air restrictions and any and all intake air holes should be uncovered.
Infrared heaters are most popular in restaurant settings as they provide the most comforting and natural warmth. The heat provided by infrared heaters, are made from combustion which is the same as the heat emitted from a fire and the sun! However unlike the sun, infrared heaters will not emit harmful UV rays. The unit below is an example of one of our wall mounted patio heaters:
