Patio Heater Supply's Glossary of Industry Terms

Patio Heaters - patio heater (also called a mushroom or umbrella heater) is an appliance for generating radiant heat for backyard patios and/or outdoor use. Most patio heaters have a burner on top of a post and burns LPG or propane, and directs the flames against a perforated metal screen. Heat is radiated from the surface of the screen in a circular pattern around the entire patio heater. A reflector atop the burner reflects heat that would be otherwise rise vs. heating the targeted area around the base of the patio heater. The chimenea is an alternative to the patio heater for home use, which burns wood instead of gas.
Patio heaters have become popular with restaurants for their customers to sit outdoors.

LPG - Liquefied petroleum gas (also called LPG, GPL, LP Gas or autogas) is a mixture of hydrocarbon gases used as a fuel in heating appliances and vehicles, and increasingly replacing chlorofluorocarbons as an aerosol propellant and a refrigerant to reduce damage to the ozone layer.
Varieties of LPG bought and sold include mixes that are primarily propane, mixes that are primarily butane, and the more common, mixes including both propane (60%) and butane (40%), depending on the season—in winter more propane, in summer more butane. Propylene and butylenes are usually also present in small concentration. A powerful odorant, ethanethiol, is added so that leaks can be detected easily. The international standard is EN 589.
LPG is usually derived from fossil fuel sources, being manufactured during the refining of crude oil, or extracted from oil or gas streams as they emerge from the ground.

BTU - The letters stand for British Thermal Unit, and it is a unit of energy. One BTU is the heat needed to raise one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. It has long been the standard unit for rating heating devices of all manners in America. So, the higher number of BTUs you have at your disposal, the more powerful patio heater you have.

Fire Pit - a pit dug that is usually in the ground or above ground made from stones, masonry, etc., for keeping a fire used for cooking or warmth outdoors.

Patio Fireplaces - is a fireplace for building fires outside of the home. Similar in construction to an indoor fireplace, an outdoor fireplace is usually added to a stone, brick, or concrete patio. It often consists of a firebox and a chimney. Most outdoor patio fireplaces burn wood, but some cities restrict or ban the burning of wood outdoors. Gas is another alternative.
As with indoor fireplaces, an outdoor patio fireplace requires cleaning and maintenance to keep it looking good and in working condition. While an outdoor patio fireplace may not need to be cleaned as often, it will need to be cleaned regularly in order to keep the ash build up down. Also, a patio fireplace may simply be a nice decorative option, which allows homeowners to enjoy a crackling fire while entertaining or having parties in the backyard.

Electric Fireplaces - is a fireplace powered by electricity rather than traditional fuel sources such as wood, coal, peat, propane, or natural gas. Many enjoy electric fireplaces for warmth, to lower their heating bill, its safety features, and convenience. No special requirements are needed to install most electric fireplaces; a simple 110 standard household electrical outlet will suffice. On a low setting (flame only), electric fireplaces only cost a few cents an hour to run. Electric fireplaces heat well too - with a 4500-5000 BTU average electric fireplace, you can easily expect it to keep a 400 square foot room warm.

Chimineas - are known as a freestanding front loading fireplace with bulbous rounded body and usually a vertical smoke vent or chimney. Originally, all clay open fire garden heaters imported from Mexico were known as chimeneas. Chimeneas originated hundreds of years ago by Mexican indians who developed the chimeneas as a means of heating and cooking for their family. The original design of the chimenea was to keep the rain off the fire.
Chimineas have become a very popular backyard and deck accessory. Some use Chimineas to repel bugs by burning pinonwood due to its aromatic scent. Chimeneas are made from clay (most well known), cast iron, aluminum, or metal. They can be of the traditional rounded shape or of many different designs. On average, Chimineas are around 5’ tall and 2’ to 3’ wide.

Aluminum Chimineas - chimeneas thats primary base material is aluminum. Aluminum chimeneas are great due to their light overall weight.

Cast Iron Chimineas - chimeneas thats primary base material is cast iron. Cast Iron chimeneas are known for thier durability but are the heaviest of the options. Most people who buy cast iron chimeneas do so for their unbelievable heating capabilities.

Clay Chimineas - are the most popular overall. Clay chimeneas are great for cooking and heating but are more apt to crack and break over time.

Metal Chimineas - are best known for their heating capabilities and durability.