Sure, awnings must be retracted, pools must be covered and water
features must be winterized, but adding patio heaters, outdoor firepits,
chimineas, a fire ring or any other outdoor warming device can keep
the good times rolling out back all year long!
Patio heaters
are available fueled by propane, electric or gas. Each has its pros
and cons. You will often see these types of heaters outside bars and
restaurants warming the huddled masses. They consist of a burner on
top of a column and are sometimes called mushroom heaters or umbrella
heaters. If you’re environmentally oriented though, this style
has recently come under fire (no pun intended) for being wasteful
and excessive. One of these emits around 50kg of carbon dioxide (CO2)
per year and there are tens of millions of these out there heating
the open air.
An
outdoor fireplace
can be a less wasteful and costly alternative – though plenty
of outdoor fireplaces are fueled by gas logs. Gas logs produce a lot
of heat, even outdoors. And if you are on a budget, there are gas
logs that don’t require ventilation.
Obviously outdoor fireplaces can also be fueled by good-old-fashioned
wood. The following outdoor heating options are all fueled by wood:
A chiminea (also spelled “chimenea”) originated in Mexica
as a free-standing terra cotta oven and heater. The style was imported
to the U.S. and immediately became a decorative and functional hit
in backyards everywhere. Chimineas are front-loading with a bulb shape
and vertical heat and smoke vent. They are also available made from
cast iron, copper or cast aluminum.
A fire ring is a great and basic option for a bigger backyard. One
of these is all you need to make your own
backyard fire pit
. Fire rings are made from copper, cast iron or cast aluminum. They
are made in a circular shape with venting holes around the perimeter.
Fire rings are designed to contain the fire logs and coals from escaping
onto the grass or surrounding area.
An outdoor fire pit can easily be made by procuring a fire ring.
You can also purchase large wok-shaped bowls that will contain all
of the fuel and coals for extra safety.
Firepit tables have also become popular with outdoor décor:
a firepit table is a glass surface with aluminum extrusions. You can
buy the actual firepit separately to be placed on top of the table
using what is called a crystal fire: fueled by a tumbled glass liquid
propane burner. This style is all the best parts of having a campfire
without the smoke in your face and embers flying through the air.