Looking at outdoor heaters and firepits to warm up your leisure space? Make the most of the outdoors, your conservatory or games room with a cost-effective gas, electric or solid fuel heater or firepit to fend off the cooler air. Here are a few of the contenders for warming the autumn and winter chill.

Patio Heaters to warm up your leisure space

One of the simplest types of outdoor heaters and firepits to warm up your leisure space is the patio heater – perfect for stretching your outdoor leisure time into the chillier evenings. Traditional patio heaters often use the same kind of Bottled LPG Gas as gas-powered barbecues. This is useful if you already have a gas BBQ as they can perhaps share one gas bottle.

They’re usually quick to light, most having electronic, twist or push-button ignition. Most give off a fair amount of localised heat (4 to 13 kW, dependent on the size you buy). Outdoor heaters come in a number of different heights and designs. For example, the table-top gas-powered type let you connect to your gas bottle through a table’s parasol-locating hole, so keep the gas out of the way. Taller versions suit wider spaces or stand-around party situations. These tend to be bigger, giving off far more heat and can have a gas-bottle cover for a neat finish. 

Outdoor Heater Safety & Best-Practice to keep warm

With outdoor heaters and firepits to warm up your leisure space, safety is important. Look for models with anti-tilt switches and other flame-failure devices. These are designed to cut off the gas if the flame is blown out by a gust of wind. Other good features are snap-connectors for quick and easy hose disconnection, while weighted bases can also stop them from getting knocked over.

Tip: As with gas barbecues, when you switch your gas heater off, turn off at the gas bottle first. This is to ensure that there’s no unburned gas left in the hose. It prevents the hose from gradually clogging up, thereby restricting gas flow and heating performance.

If jumping into the car to replace gas bottles isn’t high-up on your leisure plans, stylish Electric / Halogen versions are available. They’re convenient, though their heat output tends to be lower than with gas versions, typically reaching 1.5 to 2kW, and there’s obviously the need to run an extension lead out to their power cable.

Chimeneas to warm up your leisure space

These traditionally let you burn wood in them as an enclosed alternative to an open fire or firepit. They radiate heat out and provide a warm glow for a convivial atmosphere, plus you can also get types of chimenea with cooking grids to grill steaks, sausages etc at the same time. Traditional fired-clay chimeneas were first used 400 years ago by Spanish settlers in Mexico. Hence the hand-made, ethnic style of many models, though minimalistic, industrial styles are also available.

Tip: If you want the real thing though, be careful to follow the manufacturers’ instructions as sudden changes in temperature may cause them to crack. They need warming up before use and can’t be cooled down too quickly – so cover up if it starts to rain heavily!

Those with a little less patience might prefer the more durable cast-iron chimeneas – often with a bronze-coloured finish. These perform in exactly the same way as the traditional ceramic versions but are more robust.

Outdoor Wood-Burning Chimeneas & Firepits to keep you warm

These give you an outdoor experience that’s closer to the traditional 360-degree open fire. They hold the burning logs to stop the scattering of hot embers, so maintain a good fire for longer. Firepits come in all shapes and sizes, some very basic, others pretty ornate. They can be made from heavy-gauge steel, black-painted steel, cast iron with ‘industrial-look’ rusted finish. Some use recycled steel to achieve individual objects of real hand-worked interest. This complete variation in style and scale lets you find something suitable for all situations. There’s a size and type for a small areas, or for big spaces with larger gatherings of people. Burning kiln-dried and seasoned logs, firepits and firebowls have brought the humble bonfire back into fashion.

Warm the outdoor chills with a Gas Firepit

Gas-powered firepits allow you the warmth and looks of an open fire, without the smoke, sparks and ash. Although more expensive to buy, they give you real convenience and control. There’s plenty of heat and none of the smoky smell on your clothes afterwards. Stand-alone gas firepits usually have a solid build – often made from composite stone, resin or steel. They typically use stainless steel burners hidden under ceramic wood-effect logs or lava rocks. These absorb and radiate up to 20kW of heat – an impressive output from such compact units.

Grill & Firepit Tables to warm up your leisure space

When it comes to outdoor heaters and firepits to warm up your leisure space, these give you the best of both worlds and the height of luxury. On cooler days they provide a comfortable place to keep warm while dining outdoors in style. Go the whole way and grill your meal on it – like gathering around your barbie in warmth and comfort. These full dining sets with integrated firepits are designed to add a different dimension to outdoor entertaining. They’re really worth considering if you’re into small, intimate gatherings with family and friends.

Indoor Heaters

Conservatory or chilly indoor spot, need a little lift in temperature? LPG gas cabinet-style heaters are a cost-effective and convenient way of warming indoor space up quickly. They’re wheeled, so can be easily moved around to cover different areas. Gas-powered heaters typically weigh around 8.5KG and generate up to 4.2Kw. That’s sufficient to warm 60 cubic metres of air, or a decent-sized room. All kinds of safety mechanisms are built into these in the unlikely event of them being knocked over. They include ignition systems, atmospheric sensing devices and flame supervision/gas cut-off devices.

Summary

Outdoor heaters give you warmth and comfort in your outdoor leisure space. But they’re also very much about perceived style and lifestyle choice as well. If you’re a traditional ‘camp-fire’ type the crackle of logs has an appeal all of its own. But, many people are just after a stylish piece of equipment to keep their outdoor fun going into the evenings. A welcoming warm glow and extra heat, but without the smoke, sparks and ash, has a lot going for it. There are lots of convenient gas and electrically-powered options to choose from. Either way, these heaters can really help you make the best of your extended time in the great outdoors!  

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Norwich Camping & Leisure’s superstore in Blofield, east of Norwich, Norfolk, has a wide range of outdoor heaters, indoor heaters, camping heaters and caravanning heaters in stock, one of the UK’s largest outdoor displays of tents and awnings, plus indoor showroom displays of camping & caravanning equipment, outdoor clothing, garden furniture & garden arbours, a fully-stocked garden centre, barbecues,  pizza ovens and outdoor kitchens.

Norwich Camping & Leisure also has a farm shop, coffee shop,  new & used campervan sales and hire and a professional-standard car, camper & caravan hand-wash station. With over 50 years of experience and practical, friendly advice – plus FAST, FREE DELIVERY on orders over £100 (Terms & Conditions apply) and our Best Price / Price Match Policy and low-rate finance terms why not find us online or come along and see us!  

www.norwichcamping.co.uk    Tel: 01603 717600    [email protected]    

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