Overview and Comparison Of Firepits And Patio Heaters

Now that Autumn is finally here,, many people endeavouring to extend their outdoor relaxation time by heating their patios or decking areas in the evening. Indeed, the prospect of spending a dry autumnal evening out in the garden enjoying some fresh air and well deserved ‘me time’ is far more appealing than being stuck in front of the telly each and every night.

Of course, choosing how to heat a patio or decking area is the real trick. Fortunately, there are a number of options available these days so residents can rest assured they will be able to facilitate a heating solution to suit their own particular wants and needs.

Of the options available, it is fair to say two stand head-and-shoulders above all others: firepits and patio heaters. Naturally, both of these options have their own relative pros and cons so anyone who is thinking of investing in one of these two outdoor patio/decking heater solutions would be well advised to carry out a little bit of research before making any concrete purchasing decision.

The purpose of this article is to provide consumers with a brief overview of each option so that they can make a useful comparison between the two.

Fire Pits

Also known as braziers, firepits are ground-level heating devices which burn wood or other fuels (even gas) to provide heat. Whilst portable metal versions with legs – to keep them off of surfaces – are very much in vogue at the moment, more permanent variants, such as those made from stone or concrete are also available (these are typically fuelled with wood). The fact that wood is a renewable material means wood-burning fire pits are very ‘green’ outdoor heating options. To be sure, consumers who use only wood derived from managed forests and/or waste wood sources can say with with some satisfaction that they are doing their bit to help the environment. On the down side, it is important to note that the open-flame nature of fire pits makes them significantly more hazardous to use than patio heaters. Indeed, the potential for people to trip, fall and get burnt is always there, as is the the risk of wood falling out of the pit and starting a separate fire ( this a real concern on decking).

Patio Heaters

These tower-type heaters normally burn LPG/propane gas to emit a heat which is then channelled down and outwards via a metal reflector at the top of the structure. The main advantage of these garden heaters is that that they can maintain a very consistent temperature which is able to radiate further than most fire pits. Another key benefit is that the heating element is far above ground so people tripping over nearby is not so much of a hazard. The only area where gas patio heaters come second to fire pits is price; however, it is worth noting that it is possible to buy outdoor table-top heaters for less than £100 these days.

About the author – Bo Heamyan blogs regularly about the delights of garden life and has written extensively about the many benefits of patio heaters for various websites, including Calor.co.uk.