We’re at that strange time of year where summer feels over but it doesn’t feel too deep into autumn yet.
That said, temperatures are dropping, the nights are drawing in, leaves are starting to change colour, and there’s lots of rain and wind, but it is still mild enough to spend lots of time in our gardens.
At Lazy Susan, we think this is the perfect time of year to light the fire pit, wrap up in a throw blanket and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate on our patios as the sun goes down.
When it comes to choosing the right type of fire pit or patio heater for our outdoor spaces, there are a wide variety of styles and fuel types to choose from, each offering a different look, feel, functionality, and heat output.
In this article, we want to look at the main types of fire pits and patio heaters available, assess their relative pros and cons, and highlight the types we think are best for use in the UK.
1. Fire Pits
There are several different types of fire pits on sale in the UK, including wood-burning, gas, electric, and gel fuel, in a host of different styles such as fire bowls, chimineas, etc.
We love the wood-burning fire pits and fire bowls as they give you the classic campfire experience, good heat output, and that all-important crackle.
On the downside they do require a constant supply of wood, they create a lot of smoke, and will need more of a cleanup than some of the other types of fuel supply.
In terms of styles, we love a traditional freestanding metal fire bowl or a chiminea-style fireplace with a round body and stack chimney, as they can be picked up and moved (before being lit of course) and we just love the real feel of burning wood.
We’ve also seen many beautiful stone and brick-built fire pits that have been integrated into the patio if you want something more permanent.
If you wanted something a little cleaner and safer/easier to light than wood-burning, then gas is a great option.
Most use a propane tank, which is often concealed in the base, however, there are also some natural gas fire pits on the market that you connect to your home’s gas line for continuous fuel supply.
Gas will give you instant ignition, a clean burn with no ash or smoke, and less cleaning.
On the flip side, they deliver much less heat than wood, and they can be expensive to buy and install if you’re connecting up.
A big recent style trend in this area is gas fire tables, whereby you have a gas fire in the middle of a low coffee-style or patio dining table, however, we're still on the fence with this design.
The gel fuel fire pits use a gel canister to deliver a small, decorative flame, and this type of fuel is often used in small, tabletop designs with a sleek, modern look.
They are portable, clean, smokeless, and easy to move around. They are generally more of a decorative feature though as they have a low heat output and short burn time, and the canisters are on the expensive side.
The ethanol-burning fire pits are not as common as the above but they also offer a clean, smokeless burn that is very similar to the gel fuel.
Again, the designs are often compact and modern in both tabletop and ground-based styles.
The great thing about ethanol as you need no ventilation, so perfect for small spaces like a balcony. Like gel, they do have a lower heat output, so they’re more for ambience than generating warmth.
If you are worried about an open flame, such as around young children, then there are also many electric fire pits.
They simply simulate the appearance of real flames with LED lights, so purely decorative, as they have no heat output and are safe to use inside or on a covered patio.
2. Patio Heaters
Patio heaters have been around for a while now and the advantage they have over fire pits is they will heat a much wider area, hence why they’re a popular option for pub beer gardens, etc.
Again, there are several different fuel types such as gas and electric in a host of styles from freestanding to wall-mounted.
The most common style is a gas-freestanding patio heater. Powered by a propane tank they are either tall with the heat emitter located at the top that you position to one side (as shown in our customer photo above) or a more compact freestanding unit that you can place on your patio table.
This type of heater definitely gives the highest heat output, plus, they are portable and can heat a large area but they can be on the bulky/ugly side in our opinion.
Alternatively, there are a number of electric patio heaters on sale in the UK. They plug into a standard outlet and generally tend to use infrared or radiant heat (such as halogen bars) to warm the patio area.
As with gas, they come in a host of freestanding and tabletop styles, but also common, that you don’t see with gas, are wall-mounted and ceiling-mounted units which are perfect for a fixed position such as on a wall or pergola.
The big advantages the electric patio heaters have over gas are that they're efficient, effective in windy conditions, and safer to use in enclosed areas.
The disadvantages are that they do not have as big a heat range and they are often more expensive to buy.
Our final thoughts on which fire pit or heater is best…
Each style and fuel option has its advantages, and choosing the right one depends on your outdoor setting, climate, and how you plan to use them.
If you have a small confined space such as a balcony, then you need an energy-efficient solution, that burns clean and is low maintenance.
If you have the space, then a wood-burning fire pit gives the classic feel and a lovely warmth, you just have to exercise more caution.
Wood offers a traditional feel but requires more maintenance, while gas and electric options are cleaner and easier to control.
Some patio heaters and garden fire pits are portable, while others are more permanent or require the correct installation.
Larger heaters will provide substantial warmth for bigger/open spaces, while gel or ethanol fire pits are purely for the ambience.
Shop around, there is a wide range of modern, rustic, or minimalistic style outdoor fire pits and patio heaters on sale in the UK, so you’ll find one that fits your outdoor space perfectly.
If you have our furniture paired with a fire pit or patio heater, then we would love to see a few photos of it in use for our Do Some Good charity campaign.
You can tag us @LazySusanFurniture on Instagram or Facebook or Upload Here.
