It's Getting Hot Out Here

Perhaps there’s nothing Kiwis love more than spending quality time in the great outdoors, so why limit your outdoor entertaining to the sunny season? With some forethought and planning, you can find a suitable outdoor heater to make the most of your outdoor area – all year round.

What to consider when looking for an outdoor heater

1. Consider how much space you have for the outdoor heater. Do you need something that takes minimal space by attaching to a wall, or do you have the space for a feature heater for people to gather around?
2. Decide if you are looking for a heater that will create ambiance, provide plentiful heat or both.
3. Is the area suitable to safely support a heater that requires a flat surface? Is the area too exposed and windy for an open fire?
4. If considering an electric outdoor heater, you will need a convenient electrical connection and circuit breakers that can handle the draw on power.
5. Do you want a portable heater that can be moved around, or is a permanent fixture such as a table or wall-mounted heater more appropriate? Is a wall-mounted heater the best option for your space limitations?
6. Are there any local council restrictions on the type of outdoor fire and fuel that you can burn?
7. What would be the best placement for an outdoor heater in your area? Consider whether the heat should be high or low and also in the centre of the area or off to the side.
8. Is the outdoor heater just for warmth alone, or do you want to be able to cook or toast marshmallows on it?

Outdoor heaters

Clay Chimeneas

Chapala Chimeneas are pottery outdoor fires that are handmade in Mexico from volcanic clay and finished by traditional craftsmen. Their casual style would be ideal to flatter a rustic home or Spanish-influenced architecture. The tall chimney structure encourages smoky fumes away from people; however, it does mean that they are best suited for placement off to the side, as conversation around them is not practical. They feature integrated air capillaries for improved durability in all weather conditions, while providing a warmth and ambiance to the outdoor area. While chimineas are very heavy, they can be moved if required. Also available is a clay firebowl, which provides 360 degree access to the fire and can be used like a campfire.

Outdoor Brazier

Constructed from hard-wearing steel, Gasmate Braziers provide the warmth and ambiance of an outdoor fire with the convenience of total portability – they even come with handles for ease of moving. Logs or charcoal are placed in the base and lit, while a stabilising base plate collects ash and debris. A removable chrome cooking rack means your outdoor fire can be instantly converted into a barbeque as well as a heater.

LPG Brazier
Also constructed from sturdy steel, the Gasmate LPG brazier offers the benefits of having no ash to clean up and no smoky fumes; however, it cannot be used as a cook top. It will provide radiated warmth to approximately 3.5m in diameter and has a variable heat control, allowing you to adjust the heat outage to your requirements. A 9kg LPG cylinder will allow the brazier to run for approximately 10 hours. Piezo ignition means easy lighting and no need for matches or a pilot light. A tilt switch is an additional safety feature that halts the supply of gas in the instance that the brazier is knocked over, while a flame failure device provides added safety. It can also be used as a wood brazier when the burner assembly is removed. They can easily be moved if required.

Impression Outdoor Fires

Mitre10 offers a range of Rinnai impression outdoor fires, which provide a highly stylish and durable outdoor heating solution. All feature Piezo ignition for easy, safe starting and three flame settings to vary the heat. A one-sided impression fire option can become an outdoor wall feature, while the double-sided outdoor fire is ideal for those with a large outdoor area, who wish to create ambiance in two areas (either side of a wall). The Rinnai ‘Freestander’ fire is a table-top fire that can be built into a stand or secured into a permanent fixture and provides a delightful focal point for seated outdoor living. Rinnai outdoor impression fires can be installed using DIY steel-framed console units, which provide flexible design and reduce installation time.

Radiant Heaters

Radiant heaters offer effective outdoor heating in a weatherproof design. The unobtrusive, yet slightly industrial look is ideal for contemporary homes and as they are wall-mounted high out of reach, they are safe for children to be around. Rinnai Outdoor Superray offers infra-red 6.6kW heat output that heats a total area of 31m² and because the reflectors channel heat directly toward your outdoor area, they provide excellent warmth and comfort in cold weather.
Looking for solutions to the cold of autumn and winter in the entertainment area of your home is essential to you and your friends continued enjoyment. There are no reasons not to invest in the entertainment value of your outdoor areas. The amount of reward from a visit to Mitre 10 will be repaid ten fold in enjoyment of friends and family.