Outdoor Heating Buying Guide

Commonly used by restaurants and bars to provide comforting warmth to clusters of patrons, freestanding gas patio heaters are a great choice for households that host frequent, bustling get-togethers. Enjoy the generous, odourless heat output, but make sure you pay attention to the height of the unit to ensure there are no clearance issues. Look for a sturdy base that will prevent the unit from accidentally tipping over, but most outdoor patio heaters will automatically switch off if such an accident occurs. Simple controls that minimise your time out in the cold are also a big plus. 

By definition, radiant heaters emanate infrared rays of heat onto surfaces such as skin and clothing, bypassing the air between. Most outdoor radiant infrared heaters run off electricity, but you can find gas models if you search hard enough. Gasmate’s Solaris Ceramic Radiant Heater is one such example. Great for use in alfresco areas, verandahs, and garages, operation is silent and it can heat an area of up to 20 square metres. Please note this model will need to be connected to natural gas, so a licenced plumber is required for installation. 

Not all outdoor fire pits require you to get your hands dirty collecting wood. A gas-powered fire pit can be an attractive, toasty heating solution for small gatherings under the stars. These fire pits generally have adjustable flame heights, and many of them are resistant to severe weather conditions. 

Like radiant gas heaters, radiant electric heaters are effective for heating nearby surfaces. Many of these units are designed as strip heaters, allowing you to wall- or ceiling-mount them with little to no fuss. Larger outdoor areas may require more than one electric radiant heater for optimum warmth, which is viable due to their more affordable price point. Look for models with remote controls for convenient operation, LED lights for increased illumination, and automatic timers for energy savings.  

Turn on the old-time charm without any of the grunt work by installing an electric outdoor fireplace. These heaters come in various shapes and sizes and give you plenty of control over the pattern and colour of the flame effect. Electric fireplaces are a neat finishing touch for home bar setups or alfresco areas that are continuations of kitchens. Hidden venting and the absence of glowing grilles will make for a convincing illusion of genuine flames.

Ethanol heaters are gaining in popularity due to their clean emissions and diverse installation setups. These models generally consist of a burner that holds fuel and a microprocessor that monitors and controls the flames. Planika is a premier brand in this market, offering ethanol heaters in the form of fire pits, totem pillars, and even functional coffee tables with glass tabletops. These units are popular by the pool, and some people like to buy multiple heaters to line a garden pathway. Bear in mind ethanol heaters generally produce a milder heat compared to other fuel types, so they are not recommended for areas that get extra chilly. 

For many people, it’s hard to go past the warmth provided by a wood-fuelled fire pit. There’s something inherently alluring about a wood fire; you can’t glance at one without wanting to wander over. At the moment, Appliances Online only stocks one wood-fuelled fire pit, and the unsuspecting eye wouldn’t even know it’s a fire pit! The DrumGrill Drum BBQ is a grill first and foremost, but once you’ve finished your burger patties, snapper, or eggplant, you can remove the grill insert and convert the unit into an open fire pit. It’s a nifty solution, but there’s not much you can do if there’s a sudden downpour, and the smell of burning wood may stick to your clothes.