Yes, you can safely use an electric patio heater under a gazebo, but always carefully read the installation documentation for a product and follow all safety precautions. Also, ensure enough ventilation if you want to use a gas patio heater under a gazebo or pergola. In this article, you’ll find every safety and handy information needed to use a heater under gazebos.
Is Putting an Outdoor Heater Under a Gazebo Safe?
Infrared electric patio heaters are safe to operate under gazebos. The infrared heater is the best option because it warms you rather than the surrounding air.
Propane or gas patio heaters shouldn’t be used under the pavilion, and it could be dangerous to breathe in the gases that come from burning gas. In addition, this patio heater or fire pit style is unsuitable as it will cause health hazards.
Also, enclosed gazebos made of plastic, offset umbrellas, and fabrics are unsuitable for operating a propane or gas patio heater. Finally, even if you use gas patio heaters under the pavilion, ensure it’s well-ventilated.
What Types of Patio Heaters are Suitable for Using Under Gazebo?
Many state citizens have gazebos in their backyards and plan to enjoy them with their family and friends. And fire pits, Chiminea, or patio heaters are nice accessories to keep themselves warm in the chilly evenings of the winter. However, different types of patio heaters have some specific regulations for use in enclosed spaces or covered porches;
Propane patio heater:
A propane patio heater is portable and produces smoke as a by-product of burning gas. So, this patio heater is unsuitable for running under an enclosed gazebo or tent. Also, it should not be used under plastic or fabric-made gazebos. However, if a brick-built pavilion has healthy ventilation, the propane patio heater can be used.
Gas patio heater:
The gas patio heaters are usually fixed due to the constant fuel connection, so you should not place it under a gazebo made of plastic, fabric, or any brittle structure. Also, remember gas patio heaters produces carbon monoxide as a by-product; it should not be used in any poor-ventilated place.
Electric patio heater:
The electric patio heater is the most suitable under the gazebo or any covered porch. The best style in a pavilion or pergola is the wall-mounted, hanging, or tabletop. If you do not have children, an electric patio heater is a beautiful alternative to consider. You can also enjoy several advantages that come with low maintenance.
Parasol Mounted heater:
Parasol heaters are mainly infrared electric and made for parasol offset umbrellas. Surprisingly, they are an excellent suit for the gazebo if you plan to heat it. Parasol heaters are easy to mount and usually provide a 360-degree heating solution with fantastic lighting.
How to Use a Patio Heater Under a Gazebo?
Though it may seem funny to many people to learn how to utilize a heater under a gazebo, many people experience major and minor accidents due to mistakes while using fire features under a covered porch. To use a patio heater safely under the pavilion, follow the below steps:
- Place your patio heater under the pavilion’s middle or central position if it’s a tabletop or hanging design.
- Think about the size of your gazebo. If you have a giant gazebo, you will need a patio heater with more BTU.
- Put the seating arrangements away from the heater to prevent any potential accident
- Maintain the safety clearances from above and around the heater from flammable items.
- Turn off the heater when it’s not in use and if it’s a propane patio heater, try to store it inside after usage.
- If you use a wall–mounted, hanging, or fixed gas patio heater, maintain and clean it regularly.
- If you leave the standing or tabletop patio heater inside the gazebo after usage, use a cover for better protection from dust, insects, and wind.
- Remember those patio heaters are meant to be used in an open place, so reading the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before using the heater under a covered porch will help you have a more efficient journey with the product.
Safety Tips While Using Patio Heater Under a Gazebo
- Maintain a 3-5 feet distance between the patio heater and ceiling.
- Ensure the clearance of 3 feet distance between the flammable items and the patio heater
- Keep all the flammable items away and keep a safe distance
- Use a heat protective mat under the heater if it’s a propane or gas patio heater.
- Place the Propane tank safely and carefully while operating a propane patio heater
- Ensure proper ventilation for gas patio heaters. Do not use a propane or gas patio heater under an enclosed gazebo or pavilion made of plastic or fabrics.
- Clean and maintain the patio heater regularly
- Always put water, sand, or a fire extinguisher nearby
- Do not use a propane or gas patio heater if your gazebo’s location is too windy
- Never use a tank-top patio heater under a gazebo
Gazebo Heater vs. Patio Heater, Which Works Better?
A gazebo heater works best for a pavilion than a patio heater. Gazebo heaters are almost similar to hanging patio heaters or parasol heaters. The structure has 3/6 bulbs with 360-degree directions, which can be hung from the ceiling of the gazebo or mounted above. Parasol heaters or hanging patio heaters are often called gazebo heaters.
Standing or tabletop patio heater will spread the heat around so whoever seating will experience the warmth in a vertical direction, while if you use a gazebo heater, it will extend the heat from above following the shape of the gazebo so that it will be filled around from the top. The heat output, however, entirely depends on the product type. Therefore, the total watt or BTU the heater provides will denote the heat output it will give.
Regarding safety, it’s always to use the product in its designed place. For example, gazebo heaters are entirely safe for use under the gazebo or pergola, while to use a patio heater, you often have to worry about precautions and other potential threats.
Few Recommended Patio Heaters to Use Under Gazebo
Final Verdict
To sum up, It is best to use an electric or infrared patio heater under a gazebo and ensure well-ventilation if gas patio heaters are used. If you are planning or already using heaters under the pavilion, always calculate the gazebo size and select the patio heater according to the heat output needed. Also, never consider safety as a secondary option.
