Hiland Pyramid Patio Heater: Is It Worth It? (Reviewed)

If you step outside to your patio or backyard, you might be hosting friends for a barbecue and drinks or playing some relaxing games like bocce or corn hole where you can enjoy the fresh air. When it is cold outside, these activities are much less fun, and your guests may shiver and ask if you can move the party inside if it is too hard outside.

The weather constantly varies from warm to cold as seasons and weather patterns shift, which we have to deal with in most climates. To combat this occurrence of cold weather at the wrong time, we can heat our favorite outdoor hangout spots to provide us with warmth. In many cases, patio heaters are powered by either propane or electricity to provide the much-needed warmth that we need to enjoy the great outdoors in our backyards.

In patio heaters, propane is commonly used to produce the heat required to heat the surrounding area. Consider buying a grill that uses the large propane tanks commonly used on grills. These tanks are readily available and easy to refill. There is a threaded connection between the propane tank and hose, and the hose pipes the propane gas to the fireplace, where you will need to open the valve to make it flow and ignite the propane to start the fire. There is a built-in ignition switch on most patio heaters and simple operating instructions. An igniter like this can be helpful for your heater, and you might want to make sure you get one with it. 

Are The Size And Shape Of A propane Patio Heater Important?

Knowing how a propane patio heater works is essential based on its size and shape. Propane patio heaters come with a hot element located at the top of a stand higher than most people, which keeps the boiling elements out of reach of children or pets. It is typical for the tall units to have a large shield of metal that reflects the heat down to the people standing near it. Some models have exciting features, such as shelves that hold your drinks or a more stylish facade at the bottom where your propane tank is hidden.

In contrast to the tall, overhead designs of many propane patio heaters, there are smaller firepit heaters that you can sit around and roast marshmallows while enjoying an actual fire. Two main types of propane patio heaters are available for firepits. One version of the fire pit has the propane tank hidden beneath the heating element, and the other version has a hose that allows you to keep the propane tank farther away from the fire pit.

If you're sharing one propane tank between your grill and outdoor fireplace, it's easier to have the tank sit away from the fire pit since you'll be moving it back and forth to the grill whenever you need it there. Since the propane tank is located inside the fire pit body, you cannot see it. It is also more permanently positioned there until it runs low on fuel, in which case it is easy to remove it from the bottom cavity.

Can Electric Patio Heaters Also Be Used To Create Warmth In The Outdoors?

Electric patio heaters are a great way to bring heat to the outdoors on a chilly night. These will typically be smaller, so they will be more well suited to small patios or even semi-indoor areas like porches and sunrooms. The electric heaters will need to be connected to a power source from the closest plug to work. They use either heated coils or a ceramic element that generates the heat blowing into your area through an internal fan.

 Compared to propane patio heaters, electric patio heaters are easy to use and do not require you to fill up a propane tank continually, so owning one is more straightforward and doesn't require you to do the same maintenance. Despite that, a propane heater will put out a lot more heat than an electric heater, so you have to be aware of the trade-off.

Are Patio Heaters Safe?

Patio heaters provide warmth and ambiance and allow you to enjoy your backyard all year round. It is essential to understand how to use your patio heater safely to enjoy it to the fullest and avoid injury or damage to your patio heater. You can enjoy a mid-morning latte, a twilight cocktail, or a mug of steaming hot chocolate with friends and family on a chilly evening in your backyard with proper safety precautions.

The Right Patio Heater For The Right Space

If you want your patio heater to perform optimally, you need the right type for your outdoor space. There are a variety of styles to choose from, including classic domed heaters with an umbrella-like reflector, pyramid-shaped heaters with flames contained in a glass tube, and even compact tabletop heaters that are perfect for small outdoor spaces. 

In some ways, each type of outdoor patio heater has its advantages and disadvantages regarding portability and décor. However, there is a significant factor to consider when it comes to safety when it comes to your patio heater: its heat capacity and fuel efficiency.

Safety Features Of Patio Heaters

Patio heaters have been designed with consumer safety in mind, and they include a range of safety features that help prevent fire hazards and accidental injuries. You should review the following features before purchasing a patio heater. While restaurants and bars often have spectacular heaters with blazing flames on display, most patio heaters for home use have the fire safely contained inside tempered glass tubing or an emitter for protection. As a result, there is a reduction in the fire risk associated with using a patio heater.

Anti-Tilt Device

With features such as a broad or weighted base, you can reduce the likelihood of the heater toppling over by providing anti-tilt design features. With the more advanced models that have more advanced features, a switch automatically shuts down the burner as soon as it detects the heater is dropping. 

Thermocouple

A thermocouple is a flame failure device that can detect temperature changes, and if the flame goes out, it will shut off the gas valve. As a result, this is an essential feature as there will be no gas leaks if the flame is extinguished due to high winds. 

CSA Safety Rating 

The CSA Safety rating on a patio heater is an indication that it is safe to use. A CSA safety rating means that the unit has been tested and approved by a third-party evaluator to meet a rigorous set of standards, and it has been deemed safe to use in North America. 

How To Safely Use Your Patio Heater

As soon as you have checked the safety features of your patio heater and selected a unit, there are a few factors to keep in mind to make sure you are using your patio heater safely.

Safe Placement

In contrast to indoor heaters, patio heaters are designed to heat nearby objects and people rather than radiating heat over long distances. There is the possibility that your heater could be a fire hazard if it is placed too close to certain materials. Patio heaters should not be placed too close to combustible materials. In addition to planters, potted plants, outdoor textiles, and grass, this category also includes flammable items such as propane tanks used for grills and lighter fluid. 

Maintain a distance of approximately three feet between combustibles. Avoid high temperatures near flammable substances. Ensure you always consult the manufacturer's instructions in the instruction manual for your particular model, as your patio heater may have additional features or structures requiring an alternative placement. 

Safe Surroundings

It would help if you only used patio heaters outside. Make sure your heater has adequate clearance and a safe surrounding area. Open or semi-open spaces should be adequately ventilated and have proper air circulation to prevent carbon monoxide buildup. Buildings and structures such as water tanks should not be in the way of your patio heater, which will reduce the amount of air that can circulate. 

Check the manufacturer's recommended clearance, which varies according to the number of BTUs the heater emits, before placing anything above or below your patio heater. Please do not place your patio heater directly on grass, which can make it unstable. Make sure you place the heater on top of a solid, stable surface if you wish to position it on your lawn.

Fuel Safety

There are several types of fuel used in patio heaters, and each has advantages and disadvantages in terms of operating safety. Propane and natural gas are the two most common fuel types for good patio heaters, and gas is combustible, so you must take precautions when handling tanks and valves to prevent leaks and damage.

Besides their portability, propane-operated patio heaters are popular. You must permanently close the gas valve on the propane tank and turn off the switch when you are not using the patio heater to keep it safe and performing optimally. Ensure that you store the spare tank away from open flames and heated areas if you have one. As soon as you have changed over the gas tanks, inspect the valves and hoses for leaks by applying soapy water to the components and checking for air bubbles.

Natural gas patio heaters are a more cost-effective alternative to heating devices that use propane tanks. Many models also feature the ability to heat a larger area than models that use propane tanks. However, the heater should be connected to the natural gas line by using the ground mounts that come with the package.

Tilt Reduction

Generally, patio heaters come in tall sizes to disperse heat more evenly; however, this also makes them top-heavy, which makes them susceptible to tilting and toppling. If the heater is turned off, residual heat from the reflectors or tubes can still pose a fire hazard if they are in contact with flammable material. While some patio heater models have anti-tilt features that minimize the amount of movement, you should also take precautions to ensure your heater does not fall over and try to secure and stabilize it where possible to prevent this from happening.

To prevent it from moving, you can weight down your patio heater with heat-resistant stabilizers, such as sandbags or water weights. The other alternative is to use flame-retardant ties such as bungee cords to connect the heater to your lawn just as you would with a tent. It is possible to use a tabletop patio heater if you have a small or windy patio space in which their compact design would provide more stability. 

Portable Patio Heaters

There is no doubt that a portable patio heater can be a great addition to any outdoor area. Portable patio heaters will allow you to entertain outdoors all year round and enhance the beauty of your outdoor living area. However, it would help to take special precautions when moving portable patio heaters to avoid damaging them or injuring yourself.

There is no doubt that a portable patio heater can be a great addition to any outdoor area. Portable patio heaters will allow you to entertain outdoors all year round and enhance the beauty of your outdoor living area. However, it would help if you took special care when moving portable patio heaters to prevent damage or injury to yourself. 

How To Care And Maintain A Patio Heater?

Like any other home appliance, your patio heater requires regular care and maintenance to make sure it is operating correctly and safely. When a patio heater is covered in storage, it becomes a favorite hiding place for insects and can accumulate dust and debris, affecting the burner and the pilot light. A dry storage area can also cause rubber hoses to brittle, and improperly stored heaters may become prone to rusting and tarnishing. Before you use your patio heater for the first time after it has been held, please follow these steps to ensure that you have warmth and ambiance throughout the season. 

Cleaning

You can clean your patio heater by using a mixture of soap and water and a non-abrasive scouring pad to clean both the inside and outside of the emitter. To remove accumulated grease or residue from the burner, you should avoid getting it wet and instead use a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip or soft cloth.

Disassembly

Disconnect the gas line and remove the heater's cover according to the manufacturer's instructions to check for obstructions or debris. In most cases, bodies are attached with screws or bolts, and removing them is a simple procedure. At the back of the burner, there are usually two small silver tubes known as venturi tubes. With a pipe cleaner, you can clean debris from these tubes. 

Reassembly

You will need to reattach every component of your patio heater in reverse order to reassemble it. It is safer to call a professional if you are inexperienced or uncertain when it comes to gas lines. It is essential to consult the operating manual for your outdoor patio heater model as different types of heaters might require additional disassembly, cleaning, and maintenance instructions.