Tips on using a patio heater

Here are a few useful tips for getting the most out of your patio heater and the use of your garden. They are in no particular order.

• Get the heater up and running before you start your party, barbeque or get-together to ensure that you enter a warm environment. Like all heaters, garden heaters are better at helping you to stay warm than they are at warming you up when you have gotten cold.
• Place the heater out of the wind and if it (and your party) can be located in a sheltered or wall surrounded area, you will retain more of the heat for longer.
• Keep any flame based heater away from inflammable materials like trees, gazebos and furniture.
• Make sure that the heater (particularly a tower heater) is well balanced on a firm and solid base and that it cannot be easily knocked over.
• Look at turning the heat level down once your event is underway. You will find that once the heater is running and there are people around you can cut down on your energy usage (and running cost).
• Do not move the heater when it is in use or still hot (after use).
• Make sure that any children or pets are supervised and remember that alcohol can make some adults behave like children.
• If a propane or butane heater starts to smell, or if the burner appears to be behaving abnormally, turn it off and once it has cooled remove the bottle or cylinder. Then have it checked out by your retailer.
• Always make sure that you have a sufficient amount of propane or butane in your fitted bottle for the party or event that you are planning. It is never a good idea to replace the bottle when the heater is hot and there are people around.
• After use, always allow your heater to cool down before storing it in a dry and protected manner. If you do not have a garden shed, there are many different protective and waterproof covers that will do the job.

Finally, enjoy your garden or patio heater. It will help extend the use of your garden and provide a visual and social focal point for family get-togethers, parties and other social events. A heater can make cool spring or fall (autumn) evenings warm and relaxing and they also provide a warm soothing light.