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NFT: Best outdoor/patio heaters? Gas vs Electric?

GiantCuse : 1/10/2021 9:56 am
Curious to hear experiences with gas or electric heaters. Something for by the pool, outdoor patio, and to supplement at the fire pit during the winter. Trying to do some safe/small outdoor hangouts but being in Syracuse, NY, that's pretty tough.

Do the electric ones take forever to heat up? How long does a tank of propane last on these things?
Got a Mirage 38.5k BTU from Home Depot  
BillT : 1/10/2021 10:06 am : link
Nice unit not as powerful as some but the tilting reflector makes up for a lot of that. Hunter makes similar type units as well. Thought it was well really make for the price. They can cost a lot more. Haven’t used it enough to go through the tank yet.
RE: Got a Mirage 38.5k BTU from Home Depot  
GiantCuse : 1/10/2021 10:42 am : link
In comment 15116974 BillT said:
Quote:
Nice unit not as powerful as some but the tilting reflector makes up for a lot of that. Hunter makes similar type units as well. Thought it was well really make for the price. They can cost a lot more. Haven’t used it enough to go through the tank yet.


Thanks Bill, saw that one and like the tilting feature. Do you think or know if it heats well in 30 degree weather or is that pushing it? Would be dressed for the weather of course but even with the fire pit, I think we'd need some heat from behind.
I would not get a propane heater  
mattlawson : 1/10/2021 11:24 am : link
Whatever you do
RE: I would not get a propane heater  
GiantCuse : 1/10/2021 11:45 am : link
In comment 15117039 mattlawson said:
Quote:
Whatever you do


Why is that? Do you recommend electric instead?
I would like to hear some feedback on electric heaters  
Mark from Jersey : 1/10/2021 12:19 pm : link
as well.
I have both kinds currently  
bigblue1124 : 1/10/2021 12:28 pm : link
For years I have used the standup version from lowes I believe it was a garden treasures brand. it worked ok the big issue was if you were not close it really had no effect. A few years back we upgraded our backyard large patio, fireplace, kitchen and undercover deck system.

I wanted electric heaters for the the under deck area and went with Infratech dual element heaters for that area they work well but if we are entertaining outside and without the area being enclosed you feel every breeze.

I decided to get two Big buddy portable heaters to supplement it. They have been great IMO. They are very easy to use, can run 4000, 9000, 18000 BTU's on 1lb or 20lb tanks, easy to store when not in use and has a AC or DC blower fan for larger areas.

I use them not only for the patio but they are great for camping and tailgating.
Hope this helps.
just bought two if these. work great  
jmalls23 : 1/10/2021 1:02 pm : link
duraheat kerosene heater.
RE: RE: Got a Mirage 38.5k BTU from Home Depot  
BillT : 1/10/2021 1:36 pm : link
In comment 15117006 GiantCuse said:
Quote:
In comment 15116974 BillT said:


Quote:


Nice unit not as powerful as some but the tilting reflector makes up for a lot of that. Hunter makes similar type units as well. Thought it was well really make for the price. They can cost a lot more. Haven’t used it enough to go through the tank yet.



Thanks Bill, saw that one and like the tilting feature. Do you think or know if it heats well in 30 degree weather or is that pushing it? Would be dressed for the weather of course but even with the fire pit, I think we'd need some heat from behind.

We haven’t used in weather that cold. But it seems pretty powerful. I hadn’t even turned it up to full power using it in the mid 40s. With another heat source it should be pretty close but I can’t vouch for that. Don’t know why the other poster didn’t like propane. It what all the outdoor dining places I’ve been to use.
RE: Got a Mirage 38.5k BTU from Home Depot  
bcinsd : 1/12/2021 7:21 pm : link
I have similar with tilting reflector. I can vouch for it. Being able to direct the heat is very useful.
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