Outdoor Gas Heater NZ – Outdoor Gas Fireplace – Mushroom Heater – LPG Patio Heater
Outdoor Gas Fire Pit
An outdoor gas fire pit is the one type of outdoor gas patio heater that can be either portable or inbuilt, making this gas patio heater more natural gas friendly.
Outdoor gas fire pit usually has a round or rectangular bowl with the gas burner at the bottom and glass beads, lava rocks or stones over the top, to hide the gas heater burner.
The gas flame media may similarly be simulated logs, and may also include a low glass barrier around the gas heater outdoor perimeter.
An outdoor gas fire pit is the classic ‘conversation piece’ usually surrounded by seating… get out the marshmallows!
The disadvantage of this type of outdoor gas patio heater is that the radiant heat is limited to a smaller area.
Whilst there are smaller portable outdoor gas fire pit versions fueled by LPG gas bottles, most are permanently built and use either natural gas patio heater or plumbed LPG patio heater.
A permanently built outdoor gas fire pit is more expensive than the aforementioned LPG patio heater.
Outdoor Gas Fireplace
The largest, most impressive and priciest outdoor gas heater is an outdoor gas fireplace.
These are very similar to an indoor gas fireplace except they are designed for 360° viewing and intended to withstand the elements.
You can typically choose your gas flame media from simulated logs, various coloured stones, lava rocks or pebbles.
Glass surrounds, Wi-Fi enabled, and traditional gas heater outdoor remote controls are the norm.
The outdoor gas fireplace supply is plumbed in and can be either natural gas patio heater or LPG.
In addition to the high unit cost, be prepared for a substantial installation and gas fitter expense, as well.
Gas Bottle Chiminea Outdoor Gas Heater
While the vast majority of chiminea heaters are fueled by wood or charcoal, there are now some gas bottle chiminea heaters on the market.
Unlike traditional ceramic chimineas, a gas bottle chimenea is typically steel with a black paint finish, as a stainless-steel finish would spoil the look.
As with other portable outdoor gas heater types, the gas bottle goes in the base.
Table Top Gas Patio Heater – Table Top Patio Heaters
The table top gas patio heater (table top patio heaters) is the even shorter sibling of a mushroom heater.
This diminutive table top gas patio heater is, as described, intended for table top patio heater use.
While most are like a short gas mushroom heater, there are also little pyramids with a pyramid table top gas patio heater.
Unlike their full-size brethren, the table top gas patio heater gets its fuel from a gas hose, in lieu of a gas bottle housed within.
No patio heater wheels required but the typical gas table top patio heaters safety features are included.
Natural Gas Patio Heater – Outdoor Gas Heater
The natural gas patio heater is not nearly as common as the LPG outdoor gas heater.
The reasons are simple: lack of portability and the cost of installation.
In addition, not all gas patio heater models are available in a natural gas patio heater version.
Fuel Choices for an Outdoor Gas Heater NZ – Mushroom Heater – LPG Patio Heater
A portable outdoor gas heater or gas mushroom heater is fueled by LPG from a gas bottle.
Most use a 9kg gas bottle but some outdoor gas heater models will also accept the larger 13.5kg gas bottles.
An inbuilt outdoor gas fire pit or outdoor gas fireplace can be either a natural gas patio heater or LPG patio heater, both permanently plumbed in.
Outdoor Gas Heater NZ – Outdoor Gas Fireplace – Mushroom Heater – LPG Patio Heater
Finishes for an Outdoor Gas Heater NZ – LPG Patio Heater – Mushroom Heater
As virtually all outdoor gas heater models are made of steel, the most popular finish is stainless steel, as it doesn’t rust and requires little maintenance.
The other choice is that of a durable powder coated paint finish which, like the Model T, is only available in black.
A gas mushroom heater may only be available in a stainless steel finish.
Outdoor Gas Heater Guide
An outdoor gas heater provides portable radiant heating for outdoor heater use.
An outdoor gas heater comes in both LPG patio heater and natural gas patio heater types.
An outdoor gas heater uses a gas burner to heat a ceramic or metal heating element via gas combustion.
The gas heater element uses the familiar umbrella reflectors, as seen in an gas mushroom heater, to radiate the heat.
An gas outdoor heater uses radiant heat as opposed to fan driven convection heating.
The radiant (infrared) energy warms people and objects within a direct line of sight of the gas heaters, just like the sun.
Being devoid of a fan makes an outdoor gas heater very quiet, adding to the pleasant atmosphere created.
Outdoor Gas Heater Types
A gas outdoor heater (outdoor gas heaters) comes in a variety of configurations including the ubiquitous mushroom heater style as well as some more exotic outdoor heater types.
Outdoor Mushroom Heater – Gas Bottle Heater
The outdoor mushroom heater (gas bottle heater) is the most common type of outdoor gas heater (LPG patio heater), seen in backyards around NZ.
An gas mushroom heater is typically about 2 metres in height, this type of outdoor gas heater has good line of sight to all areas surrounding it, providing warmth to the entire area.
The mushroom heater has a simple design, with the radiant heat generated by the gas burner driven heating element bouncing off the namesake mushroom heater reflector.
The fuel source is a gas bottle in the gas bottle heater base which also acts as ballast to prevent the mushroom heater (LPG patio heater) from blowing over in a stiff breeze.
However, the outdoor mushroom heater (outdoor gas heater) stills come equipped with tip over shut off switches, should the wind or a party guest knock it over, as well as a flame sensor shutoff.
Outdoor mushroom heater (gas mushroom heater) ignition is provided by a piezo electric button, outdoor gas heaters are adjustable, and outdoor gas heater (gas patio heater) wheels provide ease of movement.
The simple design makes an outdoor mushroom heater (gas mushroom heater) the least expensive outdoor gas heater (gas patio heater) type, accounting for their popularity.
Pyramid Gas Patio Heater: Quartz or Glass Tube Gas Heater
Pyramid gas patio heater is easily the most visually attractive outdoor gas heater (gas patio heater), and the outdoor heater gas flame is intriguing to watch, almost hypnotic.
The radiant heat and outdoor heater gas flame are adjustable, and the outdoor gas heater (gas patio heater) ignition is by piezo electric button.
The pyramid gas patio heater is relatively new, having only been around for about 15 years, compared to decades for the gas mushroom heater.
As with the outdoor mushroom heater, the gas bottle is located in the base and is usually equipped with wheels.
Combined with a wider base and less ‘sail’ area, pyramid gas patio heater is a bit more stable in the wind, although they still come with safety tip over switches.
Other safety features may include an oxygen depletion sensor to switch off the outdoor gas heater when the ambient oxygen level drops and a flame sensor that shuts off the gas if the flame goes out.
These pyramid gas patio heater models typically come equipped with wheels for portability.
Area LPG Patio Heater – Gas Bottle Heater
An area gas patio heater is the shorter sibling of the gas bottle heater.
These are also radiant heaters with a gas burner surrounded by a 360° metal mesh enclosure and with piezo electric ignition.
The shorter stature of this outdoor gas heater is advantageous with lower overhead clearance, as with patio covers and screen rooms.
The lower centre of gravity, with the gas bottle in the base, also makes this heater less likely to get knocked over, although they still have safety tip over switches.
The disadvantage of this outdoor gas heater is the diminished line of sight and radiant coverage.
Additional gas heater safety features may include an oxygen depletion sensor to switch off the heater when the ambient oxygen level drops and a flame sensor that shuts off the gas if the gas flame goes out.
Eric has served on multiple committees for the World LPG Association (WLPGA), contributing to important discussions and advancements within the global LPG sector. He has presented at WLPGA Annual Conferences, sharing his expertise as a speaker, panellist, and panel chair.
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