Did you ever consider buying an outdoor flame heater?
Then this is a post for you!
In this post, you will learn more about flame patio heaters, what they are and how they work. Through 5 detailed reviews, you will see which types of flame heaters exist, and which ones are best. Hopefully, this will help you decide on one for yourself.
What Are Flame Patio Heaters?
What Are Flame Patio Heaters?
Flame heaters are a type of heater that produces warmth by burning a type of fuel. In most cases, the burning occurs within a durable glass cylinder, which means you can see the flame and enjoy its aesthetic aspect, as well as functional.
What Fuel Types Are There?
Some flame patio heaters work on burning gas from a propane tank. In those cases, the heater will often have a built-in chamber to store the tank in, hiding it from plain view. In others, the heater is connected to a natural gas supply line, and you don’t have to worry about changing tanks. Some even work on burning wood or wood pellets.
Where Can They Be Used?
Flame heaters are not much different than gas or wood heaters, in both design and functionality (they burn a material to produce heat). The most important safety notice on flame heaters, especially gas heaters, is that they are meant to be used outdoors.
Are Flame Heaters Safe?
Gas-fueled heaters are recommended for outdoor use because burning gas produces harmful carbon monoxide emissions, which in large concentrations can be detrimental or potentially fatal to the health of both humans and animals. Therefore, it is best to use them outdoors, in open areas, where fresh air is in constant supply. But if you do decide to use flame heaters in closed spaces, make sure you have constant good ventilation of the room.
What Designs Do They Come In?
Flame patio heaters come in several designs, with slight variations existing within each type. There are ones with glass tube burners, and they can be pyramid-shaped, cylindrical or square. There are also those shaped like standing lamps, with small burner chambers under a reflector dish top cover. But there are also stove-like heaters and heaters with open flames, also known as fire pits.
Best 5 Outdoor Flame Heaters Reviews
Best Square Flame Patio Heater
Fire Sense Square Flame Patio Heater 62224
Tall Flame
This heater sports a wide, tall glass tube which is transparent, so you can see the flame burning in the heater. Around it is a square stainless steel wire grid, that prevents direct contact with the heating element, preserving the safety of your family and guests.
Burning Efficiency
The stainless steel burner produces about 40, 000 BTUs worth of heat. The heater uses a standard 20lb LPG (liquid propane gas) tank, which you need to buy separately. The gas consumption rate at average heat is approximately 10-12 hours.
Anti-Tilt Safety
Fire Sense flame heater has an anti-tilt protection system, which means that if the device tilts or starts to tip over, the automatic sensor will shut down the gas valve and turn off the device. This protects you from accidental fires and other unwanted damage to the heater or other property.
Dimensions And Adjustability
The dimensions of this device are 20 x 20 x 87 inches, and the main material used is stainless steel, which means it will not rust when exposed to the elements. The heater also has a dial that lets you choose between low heat and high heat, and to easily turn off the device.
Easy Transport
This heater has wheels on the side of the wide stable stand, which enables you to use the wheels on the device if you just tilt it a little. This means you can easily move it from one location to another, or to move it to storage.
- wheels
- anti-tilt safety
- good heating output
- needs a propane tank
- only 2 heat settings
Best Pyramid Flame Patio Heater
Legacy Heating Quartz Glass Tube Patio Heater
Stainless Steel Build
This heater comes shaped like a pyramid with 4 sides and is made from stainless steel. That means it is sturdy and durable, and it will not rust when exposed to weather and humidity.
Heating Efficiency
Legacy heater produces about 40,000 BTUs worth of heat, which means it is sufficient for warming up smaller to medium-sized patios. Like all other gas heaters, make sure you use it in the open air or at least in a well-ventilated space.
One Piece Quartz Glass Tube
This patio heater has a one-piece burner tube made from quartz glass and is a visually pleasing source of heat. You can see the gas burning in the glass tube behind a metal wire mesh that is there for your protection.
Dimensions And Design
The dimensions of this heater are 21 x 21 x 88 inches, and it weighs 52.8 pounds. It has wheels on the side of the base, which enables you to easily and quickly transport it from one place to another. The access door on the base hides a chamber for storing the 20-pound propane tank (not included with the device).
Safety Systems
This device has a gas regulator that opens or closes the valve to a degree and reduces the burning intensity to a level that suits you. It also has the anti-tilt safety feature, which turns off the heater when it tilted or tips over. Gas Heaters are meant for outdoor use, so if you want to bring it indoors, ensure good ventilation in the room at all times.
- wheels
- anti-tilt safety
- no easy heat adjustment
- large
- heavy
- needs a propane tank
Best Dancing Flame Patio Heater
Q-Stoves Wood Pellet Outdoor Heater
No Connection Needed
This stove-like heater doesn’t need to be connected to a socket nor gas line. It burns wood material (wood pellets) to produce a stunning heat of about 106,000 BTU/hour, at a heating radius of about 10 feet. This makes it great for camping and remote patios.
Vintage Heater
The design of this heater is a typical wood stove, with a chimney protruding up from the center. This will certainly add to any vintage styled patio or an old home patio. Even homes that have no electricity or gas supply line, can rely on this type of heater that uses wood.
Dancing Flames
The transparent glass window lets you see the flames in the burning chamber, which means you can enjoy the sight of a fireplace with the convenience of transportability and use in remote isolated areas. The dimensions of this device are 30 x 24 x 17 inches and it weighs 66 pounds.
Alternative Fuel Source
Wood pellets are added to the fire by the gravity feed system, and they create less ash than regular wood. This type of heater is a cheaper alternative to gas heaters and electrical heaters, and while it still emits smoke, the risk from carbon monoxide emissions is minimized.
Environment-Friendly
The wood pellets are inexpensive, easily stored, and minimize air pollution and health hazards. They are created by salvaging and compressing sawdust that is leftover from furniture production, thus efficiently minimizing the damage to the environment.
- cost-efficient wood pellets
- safer than gas
- disassembles
- vintage heater style
- no electricity or gas needed
- no wheels
- heat regulated by vent
- heavy
Best Real Flame Patio Heater
Hiland AFP-STT Square Propane Fire Pit
Enjoy Real Fire
A fire pit is the best solution for elegantly and cleanly enjoying the sensation of sitting around a campfire. The open dancing flame gives you a natural feeling while using gas to produce heat.
For Outdoor Use
Note that this heater is recommended for outdoor use, like any other gas heater, due to harmful carbon monoxide emissions that are produced from burning gas.
Heating Efficiency
The gas travels upwards through the decorative fire glass, into the 14 x 14-inch square burner, where it is burned to produce heat. This fire pit can produce up to 40, 000 BTUs worth of heat, which is comparable to most gas heaters, and it has adjustable flame intensity.
Flame Heater With Table Top
The Hiland flame heater has a 30 x 30-inch square tile tabletop surrounding the fire pit that is in the middle. This serves as a table shelf where you can put drinks and snacks, or other preferably non-flammable objects, while you entertain.
Convertable Tabletop
The fire pit can be covered with a metal lid that comes with the device, and then you have a flat surface that can double as a full 30×30-inch table with a metal center and tiles on the outer parts. The entire device is 25 inches high.
- attractive design
- transforms into a table
- open flame heating
- live fire
- outdoor use only
Best Table Top Flame Heater
Hanover HAN0204HB Mini Propane Patio Heater
Tabletop Lamp Shape
This gas heater is shaped like a lamp, which means it has a base, a stand, and a lamp-like head with a reflector cover. The reflector optimizes the heat efficiency by directing the heat downwards and in a wide area around the heater. This gas lamp is fueled by a 1-pound propane tank.
Suited For Small Spaces
This patio heater produces about 5, 000 BTUs worth of heat, and that heat can reach up to a 4.5- foot radius, which is sufficient for a small patio, gazebo, or a balcony. Gas heaters should only be used outdoors or in well-ventilated areas.
Ignition Starter
You need to start your patio heater with this ignition system, in a way that requires you to press the ignition button at the same time while holding the heat control knob. You can later use the knob to adjust the heat output.
Durable And Portable
This heater is made from high-grade steel and aluminum, and its dimensions are 21 x 21 x 35 inches. It weighs 14.3 pounds, which means it is fairly easy to transport or put into storage when you no longer need it on your patio.
Weather-Resistant
This gas flame heater is weather-resistant and has a finish that prevents fading and corrosion. That means you can enjoy your patio heater without worrying about any damage that humidity or rain might cause.
- small
- portable
- low heating radius
- needs a propane tank
Conclusion: Which Flame Outdoor Patio Heaters To Buy?
In my view, the best flame outdoor heaters are the Hiland AFP-STT Square Propane Fire Pit and the Q-Stoves Wood Pellet Outdoor Heater. The Q-Stoves heater is designed to resemble a vintage stove and is fueled by environmentally-friendly wood pellets. The Hiland fire pit offers a real exposed flame, something like a campfire experience at your home, only propane gas powered. The Hiland model is shaped like a square table with a pit in the middle, which can be covered to transform the heater into a table surface.
For more information on different types of outdoor patio heaters, read this post on outdoor electric heaters, and this one on outdoor gas heaters. You can also read more about outdoor heaters in general, and learn more about them. You might also be interested in reading about commercial outdoor heaters.