Patio heaters: gas, infrared or pellet? The comparison

The three types of patio heater

Shops call them patio heaters, outdoor heaters, heat lamps or heating columns – but technically almost every device falls into one of three groups.

The gas patio heater, often shaped like a mushroom, burns propane or butane from a bottle in its base; a hood reflects the heat downwards. The infrared heater is electric: a heating element radiates warmth in one direction and is usually mounted on a wall, under a parasol or on a ceiling. The third group is fire columns and patio stoves that burn wood or wood pellets – this is where the Feuertube belongs: the pellets burn in a glass tube in which the flame rises as a visible vortex.

Gas, infrared and pellet at a glance

The table compares the three types on the points that matter day to day. Output figures vary widely between models – ask the manufacturer for specifics.

Which patio heater fits where

There is no single best patio heater – but there is a right one for every spot.

• Covered seating area, conservatory, loggia: an infrared heater is usually the obvious choice. It can be fixed in place, needs no supplies and works without an open flame.
• Open terrace, changing seating: mobile units come into their own. Gas heaters and pellet fire columns can be moved to wherever people are sitting.
• Evenings where the fire is part of it: if you want to see the flame, choose a fire column. With the Feuertube the fire is visible from every side.
• No power nearby, no gas bottles wanted: a pellet fire column needs neither cable nor bottle – just a bag of pellets.

What matters in everyday use

Before buying, think through how you will actually run it. With gas: where do the bottles go, who swaps them, what happens to empty ones? With infrared: where is the socket, and does the mounting position cover the seating area?

With a pellet fire column, refilling and emptying ash are part of the ritual. The Feuertube’s tank holds 3 kg of pellets, enough for around two hours of fire on average; you can top up at any time. Ash falls into a drawer that needs emptying every 5–6 hours. Important: the Feuertube must be protected from rain, and strong wind can blow the flame out – it then smokes briefly until you relight it with the burner.

Whatever the type, follow the manufacturer’s guidance on clearances and placement, and if you rent or share a building, check what the house rules allow.

Checklist before you buy

These questions help narrow down the choice quickly – whichever type you end up with.

• Is the seating area covered or open? Under a roof, units with a flame are often ruled out.
• Is there a socket nearby – and do you want a cable across the terrace?
• Should the unit be fixed in place or move around from evening to evening?
• Where will you store supplies: gas bottles or pellet bags, dry and sheltered?
• How much does the fire itself matter to you, as light and centrepiece of the evening?
• What do house rules, your landlord or the municipality allow where you are?

The pellet option: Feuertube

The Feuertube is a pellet-fired patio stove made of three parts: base, borosilicate glass tube and hat with reflector. It is lit in 20–30 seconds with the small gas burner supplied; after about 20 minutes it burns at full flame. A ventilation grille at the back lets you choose between a flame that reaches the hat and one that stays at roughly half height.

It stands on castors with a brake and comes as Premium in stainless steel and as Classic in black. We will send you exact dimensions and output details on request.