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Enjoy your outdoor space year-round with these reliable picks.
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
However, you may need more in cooler climates or uncovered areas.
Despite the wheels, the 61-pound weight made it difficult to move around.
The heater features a glass flame tube, which is mesmerizing to watch and functional at the same time.
Credit: Amazon
you’re free to turn the heat up or down as needed using a dial.
The heater also has a safety valve that shuts the heat off if it tilts or falls over.
During testing, it only took 10 minutes to warm our 10-foot space.
This Pamapic heater has a pyramid design that offers a decorative touch to your outdoor space.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens
But if youre on a budget and prefer relaxingfire pit vibes, we highly recommend this model.
It is available in 10 finishes, including bronze, hammered bronze, and stainless steel.
Be prepared for an extremely long setup process.
This is a powerful heater, making it one of the best propane heaters tokeep a large patio warm.
But the safety features really made it stand out during testing.
The heater puts out 48,000 Btus of heat and theres a knob to control the flow.
It didnt take long to heat up our spacewe felt the effects within minutes of turning it on.
It took us over four hours to unwrap the parts and assemble the heaterway longer than we anticipated.
However, the instructions were clear and easy to follow.
And although it was bulky, we could easily wheel it around.
It is available in two finishes: black and stainless steel.
We liked that we could direct heat only to the areas where people were sitting.
Its reach extends up to 120 square feet, which is adequate for standard tosmall decks or patios.
Additionally, we had no issues with the setup instructions, which were clear and easy to understand.
Its base is sand-filled, so its heavy and unlikely to tip over.
The heater was easy to install and use and it features a handy safety valve as well.
Testing was conducted in the Northeast, Midwest, South, and on the West Coast.
We assembled each one out of the box, noting how long it took.
Some are more stylish than others, so you wont mind making room for them on your patio.
Other models are actually quite tall, averaging around 7 feet.
(Be sure to read all manufacturers guidelines on safety clearances.)
Height aside, many models on our list are roughly 2 feet in length and width.
For directional heating, the best propane patio heater is theHampton Bay pick.
Although it doesnt warm as much surface area as the Mainstays option, it has reflectors that direct heat.
Typically, the more Btus a heating unit has, the more powerful it is.
Weight
Propane patio heaters can be rather hefty.
Our heaviest pick is theHampton Bayat 74 pounds.
It took us about three hours to assemble, however, and its also more expensive than other options.
We felt that the design made it lose too much heat out of the sides, however.
Your Questions, Answered
How long does propane last in a patio heater?
Purchasingpropane to operate a heateradds an additional cost.
However, propane space heaters are extremely efficient, Schimmenti says.
A 20-pound propane tank can last up to 10 hours.
Can you use a propane heater under a covered patio?
When setting up your propane heater, the location is a key consideration.
Its important to leave enough clearance between the heating element and the cover.
Credit: Walmart
Be sure to read and follow all manufacturers guidelines.
Still, you are encouraged to take appropriate precautions when using one of these heaters, he says.
Can a propane heater be used in a garage?
We thought the bulkiness of this Mainstays style contributed to its durability and safety.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Andrea Tenborg
The same recommendation [for covered patios] applies forgarages and indoor workshops, he says.
Its critical to use a propane heaterdesigned specifically for indoor use.
For the utmost safety, have it inspected annually.
Who We Are
This article was written byNorAdila Hepburn,a writer for Better Homes & Gardens.
What is BHG Recommends?
In these cases, we use the same testing criteria we use to test the purchased products.
Credit: The Home Depot
Despite a learning curve, this Hampton Bay pick quickly heated our patio during testing.Credit: Better Homes & Gardens / Robert Dencklau
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
Credit:Better Homes & Gardens
