Patio heaters are a popular choice for outdoor heating. They are reasonably priced and are portable so they can be moved around the patio or garden as required. They are usually fueled by either natural gas, electricity, or liquid propane. Although propane is by far the most expensive of the 3 types, it also lets you move the heater around without a cord or gas line attached.

Patio heaters are rapidly becoming one of the must have accessories for your patio. In general, a patio heater is not a cheap accessory but they will ad a little touch of luxury and a comforting warmth to your al fresco dining.

Outdoor patio heaters are portable. If you don’t want a permanent addition to your backyard, they are light enough to move out when you need one and store away when you don’t. The portable versions of these heaters are great for cool nights during fall and winter by providing heat for smaller areas. Portable patio heaters have a portable cylinder attached to the heating unit. For larger areas, commercial heaters are the best choice.

Outdoor patio heaters are available in various simple, elegant and spectacular designs. You can take your pick from the wide variety available.

- The first and most traditional heat source is the outdoor fireplace. Permanently installed on your patio or outdoor room, they bring the same kind of charm and ambiance to the outside of your home as on the inside. Usually made of 100 percent stainless steel, outdoor fireplaces can be surrounded by granite, tile, stone, or any other material that complements your home’s architecture and style.

- Electric patio heaters aren’t affected by wind, though wind chill can still affect people in its path. There are no tanks to refill and no air pollution.

- Propane patio heaters are portable and can be economical to operate. Propane convection heaters use cold air from the floor (at the heaters base) and push the warmed air through the top after it is heated. No fans are used in convection heaters during operation as heated air rises while cool air falls.

- Natural gas patio heaters are noted by gas companies as being efficient. They use infra-red burners to create warmth similar to the sun’s rays.

- Table top patio heaters are great for small patios. They sit nicely on the table and require no complex installation. Table-top heaters, because they are lighter and smaller, are much easier to carry around wherever you want to go.