Fire Sense Patio Heater Review

It burns propane as fuel and radiates the heat from the heating element ten feet in the air. Heat radiates from this heater using the same principle use by the sun to warm the earth.

Just like the sun, the radiant heat from this outdoor heater warms you or any objects it touches directly.

The great thing about radiant heaters is that it warms you up directly and heat doesn’t dissipate into the air before it reaches you. 

You will feel warm even though there is a gentle cool breeze blowing.  Resting on your patio, all you need not is a lovely glass of wine and a companion.

Performance

The fire sense patio heater is quite easy to use with the included ignition system. Turn the knob to the ignition position, press the ignition button to spark and get the fire started. Turn the knob up for more heat or down for less.

You can dial up a full tank of propane for up to 10 hours with the full 46000 BTUs of power bearing down on you keeping you toasty on those chilly afternoons.

Just like radiation from the sun, the closer the planets are the warmer they are. The closer you are to the fire sense outdoor heater the warmer you will feel.

You can still feel warm up to 8 feet away from the power of the fire sense outdoor heater.

The colder the evening temperature you closer you will have to sit to get the full benefit of the heater.

Some reviewers stated that it is not as effective on cold windy days because of the cooling effect. The heat cause you to sweat and the cold breeze blowing give you that cooling effect.

The manufacturer recommends that you use this heater when the wind is below 10 mph for best effect.

You can still use the heater, however, you may have to put on another layer of clothing just to keep yourself warm.

Design

The fire sense outdoor patio heater has a classic look: a sturdy cylindrical base with a 7 feet pole rising from it; connected to a screened top, where the flames reside; and covered by a metal cap called a reflector that directs radiant heat downwards. 

The heat source is 7 feet high making it safe for children and pets.

The manufacturer offers a few finishing options to suit your taste: from copper and stainless steel to Aqua blue for a splash of colour.

Maneuvering this sturdy header is made easy with the inclusion of the two wheels at the base.  The wheels are very small therefore you would need a little extra strength if your patio surface is not the smoothest.

Two handles are located on either side of the cylindrical base, to make it easy for you to manhandle.

Set up

All bolts, nuts, screws, and tools needed to set up the fire sense are provided in the box except for the Phillips head screwdriver. 

You probably have one already in your tool kit, if not you can purchase one at your local hardware store.

Follow the instructions provided in the manual and you should be set up in no time –  within 60 minutes. 

Remember that it will not work without the propane so remember to purchase one at your home improvement store.

Safety

The fire sense patio heater comes with a few useful safety features that any security-conscious family would love. 

The key security features that I like include a Study base, for a low center of gravity; and an auto-shutoff tilt valve.

Study base

The base, neck and cap of the fire sense heater weigh about 40 pounds. When you include a full propane tank to the mix the combined weight will make it more difficult to tip over.

There are holes located at the base of the heater, just in case you want to tie it down for extra security.

Some models come with a water box at the base for you to fill with water or sand for added extra weight. It is overkill but you can’t be too careful.

Auto shutoff tilt valve

If the heater happens to tip over, there is another safety feature that can prevent a disaster from happening – the auto-shutoff tilt valve.

The protection cube

The cap of the fire sense heater tends to get very hot. It is therefore important that you keep it away from anything that can be combustible.

The manual requires that the heater be 3 feet or more below any roof structure and have a two feet clearance from anything combustible on either side.

To make this easier for you I’ve just decided to call it the protection cube, just think of it as, three feet away from anything that can catch on fire.

By doing that you ensure that everything is protected, especially, when you’re under a pergola a porch or a gazebo. You just can be too careful.

Enclosed area.

As I mentioned pergola, porch and gazebo, I have to remind you that the fire sense batch of propane heaters produces carbon monoxide which is a poisonous gas. 

Therefore you cannot use it indoors – forget about using it in your garage.

Always use this product in an area that is well ventilated. I don’t want anything to happen to you.

Prices

I would love to tell you the price but they change frequently. You can check out the price on amazon by clicking here.

If you need the pro version of the Fire Sense click here for the Fire Sense Pro Series

If you need something cheaper check out the Amazon Basics Commercial Patio Heater by clicking here.

 Verdict

Get one of the fire sense patio heaters for your patio because it looks lovely, fits any décor and comes with many useful safety features.

The outdoors is so lovely and I will do anything to get a few more hours enjoying the fresh air.  What can you do with another eight hours enjoying the sunset on a winter’s eve? 

Got to just love DIY HOMe Guru

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About the Author: Doug Smith

Doug has been working around the house fixing stuff for years with a smile on his face. Let's just say he is an avid DIYer. Recently, he has decided to share some of the lessons learnt and knowledge gained from fixing things online. Hope you like what he has to say.