#PROPANE TUBE HEATERS PORTABLE#

When I was sitting next to one, I felt comfortably warm. That revealed something that the thermocouples didn't: the traditional pole-style heaters give off a much more concentrated heat. Because a patio heater isn't necessarily made to warm at a distance, the useful range for most of them is about four feet.īut then I added an additional step to the test: sitting outside beside each heater on a cooler evening. I took temperature measurements at four set elevations relative to the heaters' cap, and 11 equal distances from the heater for a total of 44 points of measurement. The warm glow on your face will be nice, but you're going to need to move closer to the heater's flame to keep warm on the coldest days. But keep your coat on, because at that distance we're talking about only half a degree warmer than the ambient temperature. All but one heater showed an increased temperature at eight feet away. Some manufacturers claim the heater will warm up to eight feet away from the heater, and the results prove that to be true - sort of. None of the heaters I tested are going to sweat you out at long distances, but getting up next to one will certainly warm you up.

It's important to be able to raise the thermocouples quickly during the testing process Chance Lane/CNET This isn't the hottest heater of the bunch, but it will warm you up if you can stay close to it, and I really liked its appearance.Ĭordless drill-powered testing rig. This 40,000 BTU standing heater is priced around the middle of the pack and comes with a one-year limited warranty. And while I like staring at the flame, this heater illuminates the surrounding area so much that you or your neighbors might find it too bright. The hinges the door rests on have also already started bending. If you try to carry it, the safety guards will come unset.

#PROPANE TUBE HEATERS PORTABLE#

One downside to this model is that it's a little less of a portable patio heater than some others it's heavy, and even though it has wheels, it's unnerving rolling the glass tube across a rough surface like concrete. The Hiland also has an easy-to-use control system that lights effortlessly every time. There are heaters that reach higher temperatures at certain points, but this one has even heat distribution when you are near it. Within one foot, this outdoor heater provided an average temperature increase of 11.72 degrees, which happens to be the highest average recorded.

Within two feet of the pyramid heater, averaging all points, you get a change of 7.49 degrees. Looking at all the points I measured within four feet, you'll see an average temperature increase of 4.59 degrees. Similar to staring at a campfire, watching the flame continuously rising up through the glass tube is absolute entertainment. With its pyramid shape and glass tube running the center length of the stainless steel heater, it has a more modern look than the pole and saucer style of a traditional patio heater or a commercial patio heater. Initially, I picked the Hiland HLDS01-GTCB pyramid patio heater as the best model I tested.

Propane tube heaters