When the sun goes down, cozy up to outdoor fireplaces and patio  heaters that warm your outdoor living space

Outdoor fireplaces and patio heaters are not new ideas; restaurants have been using them for years and many a backyard has boasted a dugout fire pit lined with bricks or stones.

Today, outdoor fireplaces and patio heaters are popular deck design upgrades, mostly because of the affordable price tag and wide variety of styles. They extend the use of your deck or patio by casting a 3- to 20-foot circle of warmth around you and your guests. You stay comfortable in the early spring, fall, and of course evening when temperatures are cooler.

Types of patio heaters and outdoor fireplaces

Here's a quick overview of the types of patio heaters and outdoor fireplaces available:

• Patio heaters: these are free standing and tabletop heaters fueled by natural gas or propane. The lighting mechanism is automatic and the emergency off switches are automatic should the unit be tipped over or bumped.

• Infrared patio heaters: these are wall or pole mounted units fueled by natural gas or electricity that emit infrared heat.

• Outdoor fireplaces: these are free standing enclosed units with chimneys that vent the smoke and ash, and generally fueled by wood or briquettes. There are propane and natural gas models that have the look of a wood burning fireplace without the smoke.

• Fire pits: these are the traditional campfire jazzed up using decorative copper, and cast iron.

• Chimineas: these are Mexican-style outdoor fireplaces featuring a chubby base where the fire burns, and a tall narrow chimney to vent the smoke. Traditional chimineas are made from fired clay, but cast iron models are also available.

• Fire rings: these are the most inexpensive and simplistic style of outdoor fireplace. Like the fire pits at campsites and cottages, the cast iron ring is bottomless and it simply contains the fire within a safe burning site.

There are also some other unique products that are either a combination-type outdoor fireplace or stand alone.

• California Redwood Outdoor Portable Fire Pit: has an attractive redwood surround and comes with custom fire log grate made from welded iron bar, a retractable stainless steel spark screen, and high quality, custom vinyl weather cover for when the fire pit is not in use.

• Luminarium Outdoor Hearth: uses fermentation grade ethyl alcohol (ethanol) as a fuel source. Unlike natural gas or propane, this fuel (a gel actually), causes random, dancing, crackling flames. So, you get the look and feel of a wood fire without the smoke, embers or ash. The cost starts at around $500 for the unit. Fuel packs are around $35 and each pack burns approximately three hours.

Tips for understanding fuel sources

If you're just beginning your research into purchasing a patio heater or outdoor fireplace, think about the best fuel source for your needs. Efficiency, cost to operate, and safety are a few of the factors to consider.

Natural gas, propane, solid fuel, and electricity are the most common fuel sources for outdoor heating.

• Natural gas: the cleanest burning of all the fossil fuels and considered to be quite safe. It will only burn if it is in concentration of 4 to 15% per volume of air and can only ignite at a very high temperature (1100 degrees Fahrenheit), which makes accidental ignition or combustion unlikely. It is ideal for permanent installations of outdoor heating and grilling appliances because natural gas lines must be run by a certified gas fitter.

• Propane: an odorless gas that is intentionally given the smell of rotten eggs to alert you when propane is present. Unlike natural gas, propane is heavier than air so it collects at the bottom of storage containers if leaked. It can also ignite easily if near a heat source. It is convenient because it is readily available as a bottled fuel that can be attached to a patio heater or fireplace and moved around easily.

• Solid fuel (wood, charcoal, briquettes, pressed logs): these are the traditional fuels for campfires, fire pits and fireplaces. While the heat from these sources is quite often the best, safety can be a concern especially if the household has small children. Obviously, solid fuel fires can not be turned on and off with the flick of a switch.

• Electricity (infrared): another safe way of heating outdoor spaces. Infrared heat works by...

Compare outdoor fireplaces and patio heaters

Here is a general comparison of the types of outdoor fireplaces and patio heaters.

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