You walk into Costco, Home Depot or some other “big box” store and you eye a freestanding portable “mushroom” propane patio heater. You see the price, then in your mind you ask “how can this heater be so comparatively cheap?”
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| Typical Box Store Patio Heater Cheaply Made and Cheap to Buy |
The answer to that question can be answered in the question itself. Heaters sold in the “box” stores are typically made cheap, compared those higher end versions sold in specialty retail locations such as BBQ, hearth and patio showrooms. To many consumers, these cheaper heaters can do the job just fine and they certainly serve a purpose in the marketplace.
For more discriminating consumers, we recommend shopping for a commercial grade heater that will perform better and for many more years. Here are a few considerations as you shop for a higher quality, longer lasting patio heater.
1) Patio heaters are made using different materials. Some are made using 304 Stainless steel, some are made using 430 Stainless steel. 430 stainless will look better and last much longer than 304. Others come with posts and bases powder coated black, white, bronze, gray, green or even red. Remember, patio heaters are outdoor heaters. Ask, how will the heater hold up to the weather. 430 stainless tops them all.
2) Consider the heater weight. Some heaters are very light, which means that the thickness of the post, heater head, reflector, base and other components are likely made from smaller guage materials. Typically, a 65 lb. heater is not as well-built as a 110 lb. heater. We contend that a heavier heater is less flimsy, less likely to tip over on windy days, and will last a lot longer than light weight heaters.
3) What is the reflector diameter? Smaller diameter reflectors reflect heat in a relatively smaller 8’ circle. In fact, it is not uncommon to see people almost“hugging” the post with cheaper grade patio heaters. By contrast, better made patio heaters have slightly larger reflectors, which spread heat to a 12’ circle. Also look at how the reflector mounts to the heater head. Is it well supported? Some reflectors are not and will distort over time and use.
4) Look at the design of the heater head. The industry standard patio heater uses a “drum-style” burner, which is inherently inefficient in terms of reflective efficiency. Recent new technology uses an engineered “double surface” reflector that provides unmatched perimeter comfort. The reason is that up to 58% more useable heat energy is reflected in a broader perimeter pattern than conventional patio heaters. To our knowledge, only one manufacturer offers this kind of technology. That benefit can also reduce the number of heaters needed to cover larger areas.
5) Portability. Does the heater come with wheels? Not all do. Wheels simply make the heater easier to move from one spot to another.
6) What about the ignition control? Cheaper versions use a simple Piezo control to ignite a pilot before turning the heater on. A good commercial grade heater should have a battery spark control for better reliability and easier starts. Difficulty lighting a patio heater is common among manufacturers of less expensive models and a big frustration for consumers.
7) Will you be able to get parts and service for the patio heater you buy? If you buy from a box store retailer or home center, will you be able to get parts and service later on? Specialty retailers and internet web sites are sometimes no better. So, wherever you buy your patio heater, make sure you can get the service you need down the road to keep it working for years to come.
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| The EvenGlo with Patented Burner Technology "The Best Patio Heater In The Industry" |
The old adage, “you get what you pay for” certainly holds true for patio heaters. Are you willingly to pay a bit more for the convenience, appearance and reliability of a top-grade patio heater?
Learn more details about the EvenGlo patio heater
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