Patio Heater

[F0M0]

Can anyone recommend a patio heater? What's better, gas or electric?

Neither, to be honest. They are very bad for the environment and using valuable resources to heat an outside space is ridiculous and pointless. You would do better to spend your money on thermal clothing.

I think MNers generally recommend the gas ones, OP.

We bought one for my parents. It takes the edge off but not as effective as I had hoped for the price. Electric.
Also, used a bin fire.
At the moment, in tier 4 so can't meet up with them anyway...
Did make a bit of a difference I think. Gazebo with no sides as well.
Sides would have made a difference but also made a room!

I'm with @Reedwarbler. Yes let's use energy heating outside air. Don't get one please.

To be honest, seeing my parents and keeping relatively warm trumped the environment this Christmas...
That said, even wrapped up, heating outside not easy or effective with the heater we bought. Smoked kippers with bin fire as well...

Gas ones work ok , the electric ones are halogen and only heat one side of you 😃

@MrsJamin
All heating heats the outside space , why do you think it gets cold when you turn the heating off , where does all the heat go ? Inside a house just does it less quickly .

www.argos.co.uk/product/5236673

Friend has these infrared type ones. Direct heat aimed at you so keep you warm. Rubbish at heating a room etc but for outside they are perfect. Have to be brought in and out but fine. Of course in these circumstances it’s better to use heat to seat people outside than inside!

Another vote for infrared heaters. They heat you and not the air so a little better.
We had a couple of nice ones put in but only use them occasionally.

Thanks ladies, I'll have a look at the infrared ones.

Like @DinkyDaisy says, being able to spend some time with my parents and siblings safely during the winter trumps the environment at this point I'm afraid. As much as we are sticking to the regulations (Scotland), the thought of not being able to see family for more than 5 mins at a time (due to the weather) until spring/summer is a no-go so needs must.

My parents have already missed out on so much time with their first grandchild (DS was born in June) so anything that will help facilitate them seeing him more is worth it to me.