Have you wanted an outdoor propane heater?
Then this post is for you!
In this post, you will learn about propane patio heaters, how they work, what types and shapes they come in, as well as some other important information you should know before buying the best propane patio heater for yourself.
What Is Important About Propane Patio Heaters?
How Do They Work?
Propane patio heaters produce heat by burning liquid propane gas in a burner chamber. The propane gas is supplied from a propane tank, connected to the burner and usually stored inside the base stand of the heater.
What Types Are There?
You can find propane outdoor patio heaters in various forms and sizes. The 3 most common types are the tall free-standing lamp, the portable tabletop lamp, and the free-standing pyramid-shaped heater.
Safety Notice
These heaters burn propane gas to produce heat, and the byproducts of burning gas (like smoke and carbon monoxide) can be detrimental to the health of people and animals, especially in large quantities. Therefore you should only use gas heaters outdoors, in open or well-ventilated spaces.
Price Range
Propane gas heaters can be found online in various shapes and sizes. On Amazon (amazon.com), their prices range from under 100 dollars, to over 1000 dollars, depending mostly on the model size and brand.
Where Can They Be Used?
It is strongly recommended to only use gas heaters in outdoor areas, but you can either use them for domestic or commercial purposes. That means that some models of propane heaters are elegant, durable and strong enough to be used in restaurant terraces and similar areas.
Best 5 Outdoor Propane Heaters Reviews
Best Tabletop Outdoor Propane Heater
AZ Patio Heaters HLDS032-C Tabletop Heater
Small and Portable
This heater’s dimensions are 23 x 23 x 12 inches, and it weighs 35 pounds. It is fairly portable and therefore easy to relocate when necessary, or put into storage when it no longer needed outside.
Heating Output
This propane heater produces about 11,000 BTUs worth of heat. That should be sufficient to warm up a smaller patio or porch or another outdoor area. You can just place it on the table and sit beside it as it keeps you and your family warm.
Propane Heater Cover
This device comes with a PVC cover, that you can place over the device when it is not in use, and protect it from the elements, gathering of dust, or other potential damage.
Easy To Use
For this heater to work, you will need to buy a 1-pound propane tank to fuel it (as a tank does not come included with the device). The ignition is started by the press of a button, conveniently located on the top of the tank chamber.
Stainless Steel
This heater is made from stainless steel with a hammered silver finish. It is resistant to rust and dust, but you will need to cover it to protect it from water and weather.
- stainless steel
- cover included
- small
- low heating output
- not weatherproof
- a little heavy
Best Stainless Steel Outdoor Propane Heater
Garden Sun GS4400SS Floor Standing Propane Patio Heater
Stainless Steel
This propane heater has a full stainless steel build, along with stainless steel base, stand, heating head, as well as stainless steel burner and the heating grid. The device’s dimensions are 18 x 18 x 87 inches, and it weighs 40.6 pounds.
Heating Efficiency
Using liquid propane gas, this heater produces up to 41, 000 BTUs of heat, and this means that this heater is sufficient for warming up a medium-sized patio. It warms up as much as 175 square feet in a 15-foot radius. The heat can be adjusted by turning the heat adjustment dial.
Anti-Tilt Technology
This device has an anti-tilt safety system, which will turn off the device in case it tilts or gets tipped over. This way you won’t have to worry about the wind and potential damage a burning gas heater could otherwise do to your property.
Big Tank Chamber
In the stainless steel base, there is a large chamber meant for storing the liquid propane tank. It can fit one with 30-pound capacity, but you will have to buy it separately from the device.
Weather Resistant
The stainless steel construction makes this heater weather-resistant, which means it will withstand humidity, salt, harsh winds, sand, etch, without losing in quality and aesthetics. It is also rust-proof.
- stainless steel
- adjustable heat
- big tank chamber
- needs a propane tank
- no remote
Best Commercial Pyramid Outdoor Propane Heater
Fire Sense Stainless Steel Pyramid Flame Heater
Heating Efficiency
This heater produces up to 40,000 BTU’s of heat, and this is sufficient for medium-sized patios and terraces. You can also use this heater on balconies and gazebos, but be mindful of emission and the need for very good ventilation, should you decide to use it closed spaces.
Safety Features
The Fire Sense heater has the anti-tilt safety mechanism, which will automatically turn off the device in case it gets tilted or tips over. It does so by shutting off the gas supply valve to the burner (glass tube propane heater).
Pyramid Design
This propane heater is shaped like a pyramid with 4 sides. The bottom half is the base in which the 20-pound propane tank is stored, and the top half consists of a metal mesh around a burner tube and narrows down under a reflector top.
Wheels For Mobility
Fire sense propane pyramid heater has wheel mounted on the base, which will allow you to move the heater by simply pushing it around from location to the next. The device’s dimensions are 21 x 21 x 88 inches, and it weighs 60 pounds.
Electronic Ignition System
This heater has an electronic ignition system, and the heating can be adjusted by turning the knob to the low or high heat setting. The heating fueled by a single propane tank will last you approximately 10 hours on high heat setting.
- stainless steel
- pyramid shape
- good heating output
- needs a propane tank
- heavy
- tall
Best Small Indoor And Outdoor Propane Heater
Mr. Heater F215100 Little Buddy Propane Heater
Very Small And Portable
Mr. Heater propane heater is so small and lightweight that it fits in a bag or backpack. Its dimensions are 11 x 11 x 11 inches, and it weighs 5.9 pounds. That means you should have no problem transporting or storing it.
Indoor Safe
This heater is sufficiently strong to warm up a room of up to 95 square feet, and is safe to use in enclosed spaces as long as you ensure some venting space. Please note that while this portable heater might be convenient to carry along, it is not intended for use in motorized vehicles.
Heating Efficiency
Set at a 45° heating angle, this heater produces up to 3800-BTUs. It is suited for smaller spaces, and it uses a 1-pound propane tank for fueling, which will last about 5-6 hours.
Working Conditions
This device creates continuous heat, free of odor and smoke, but need at least 4 square inches of space for venting. The maximum elevation at which this heater will work is 7000 feet. The automatic systems will shut off the device if it detects low oxygen or tilting.
Where Can It Be Used?
You can use this small portable propane heater wherever it is necessary. You can also easily bring it with you to keep you warm during fishing, at a skiing trip, a hunting cabin, a tent while you’re camping, and many more.
- very light and small
- safe for closed spaces
- auto shut-off valve
- small propane tank
- for small spaces only
- not for vehicle use
Best Large Standing Outdoor Propane Heater
Dyna-Glo RA125LPDGD Liquid Propane Radiant Heater
Safety Features
Dyna-Glo propane heater has safety mechanisms that will shut down the gas intake in case the device tilts or tips over, and the overheating sensor will shut down the heating in case it gets too hot and also to prevent unnecessary gas consumption.
Uniquely Powerful Heating
This device has a unique heating strength among all other models reviewed here. It produces an impressive 125,000 BTUs worth of heat, which is enough to warm up an area as big as 2,900 square feet. The heating unit emits heat in a full 360° radius, which means you don’t have to worry about facing it towards the room at certain angles.
Cylindrical Shape
Made from metal, this heater is shaped like a cylinder, with a sturdy base for stability, and protective mesh around the heating element. The heater’s dimensions are 16.3 x 16.3 x 29.9 inches, and it weighs 20.3 pounds.
What Can You Use It For?
This powerful heater is sturdy and efficient enough to be used in large outdoor areas, as well as during construction, or even commercial purposes if you ensure good ventilation. You can certainly use it to warm up a very large patio or even a part of your garden for a party.
Variable Heating And Easy Use
No electricity is needed for operating this heater, only liquid propane gas. The Piezo push-button ignition makes the use simple, and the 3 heating setting (low, medium and high) allow you to set the heating output according to your comfort.
- uniquely powerful heating output
- sturdy
- suited for industrial use
- 360° heat radius
- metal
- plain design
- only 3 heat settings
Conclusion: Which Propane Outdoor Heater To Buy
In my view, the best outdoor propane patio heaters you can buy are the Garden Sun GS4400SS Standing Heater and the Dyna-Glo RA125LPDGD Propane Heater. The Dyna-Glo is a powerful industrial heater that produces up to 125,000 BTUs of heat and warms up to 2,900 feet of space in a 360° angle. The Garden Sun heater is an elegant free-standing lamp heater with a chamber for a gas tank, and it produces up to 41,000 BTUs of heat. The Garden Sun is also weatherproof and made from stainless steel.
For more information on patio heaters, read this post on outdoor heaters. If you want to learn more about specific types and models of heaters, you can read this post on outdoor electric heaters and also this one on outdoor heat lamps.