Alfresco living is the new way to enjoy relaxing and entertaining. A must have to extending the seasons is a patio heater on the patio. Its common to see them in restaurants, bars, and caf and now they are becoming a common sight in the back garden.
Patio heaters can be fuelled by gas, coal wood and electricity, ranging from table or wall models, plumbed/fixed, free standing and basket types.
The most versatile and the most popular is the free standing gas patio heater. When selecting the main areas to look for are:

?Safety A device for flame failure is common on most models but not all patio heaters will have a tilt switch. Should the patio heater be blown or knocked over this safety feature will cut the gas supply off. Higher grade models and commercial specifications will also have a thermal fuse for even greater safety. Never place a patio heater on an uneven surface; always position on firm level ground
?Heat Output. Some list in KWs always best to find out the BTU/hs (British Thermal Unit).this is the size of the engine and a more accurate way of working out how much heat will be generated. Table models typically yield a low output of around 20,000BTUs; free standing heaters should yield 34,000 BTU up to 46,000BTU. The optimum size is around 44,000BTU, heaters above this will just burn extra fuel with little benefit.
?Heat Settings. Older patio heaters had a high and low heat setting fitted but the newer models will have variable heat control.
?Regulators. The gas cylinder is connected to the patio heater burner via a gas regulator. The easiest type to use fits the British green cylinders and is a simple clip-on fit for speedy cylinder changes
?Colours. For the lazy gardener the only choice is stainless steel, it can be left in outside without fear of corrosion or rust to spoil its look. Powder coated patio heaters are best protected with a full length cover to keep the weather off. The third option is a hammered finish; with plenty of colours available they weather well.
?Looks. Some heaters have not been designed for looks but for functionality and are fitted with clumsy gas access doors. Newer models have a sleeker design with hidden gas access.
?Gas supply. Look for patio heaters that run on both propane and butane, avoid the single fuel types. Butane works fine during summer but will not work at all when temperatures drop to near freezing. Propane is best, it works at very low temperatures and delivers a more intense heat.

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