From late summer nights to cosy autumnal evenings, outdoor heating allows you to enjoy your garden year round. Gather round a crackling fire pit and toast marshmallows, or enjoy the gentle warmth of a patio heater with a few glasses of wine. No matter the size of your garden, it’s never been easier to stretch out the evenings.
Chimeneas were traditionally Mexican clay ovens, used for making bread. They can also be made from cast iron or steel, and feature a round, enclosed burner with a tall chimney for the smoke. Clay chimeneas can be found in a wide variety of attractive colours and designs, although these will need curing before using. To cure a clay chimenea, all you need to do is light a small fire in it. The smoke helps seal pores and prevents cracking later on. Chimeneas use wood for fuel, and the fire is easily contained within the burner. Many include a grill to allow you to use them as a small BBQ too.
Usually just a simple bowl raised off the ground, firepits replicate an open campfire, bringing out the inner caveman in most of us! They use kindling and wooden logs as fuel, distributing the heat from the fire around the entirety of the firepit. This makes them sociable options as everyone can sit in a circle around the pit. However, there’s no funnel or chimney, meaning the smoke can be unpredictable if it’s a windy day. Firepits are usually made from stainless steel and should be covered if being left out all year long. Many come with a grill plate too, allowing them to double up as a traditional charcoal BBQ.
If you don’t want the hassle of lighting a fire, then this is where patio heaters come in. Electric heaters can be both freestanding or wall mounted, using short wave heat to warm nearby surfaces and objects (that’s you!). No fuel is required, all you’ll need is a nearby plug socket. Gas patio heaters don’t even need a plug socket, and you don’t have to worry about building a fire or smoke getting blown around. They can be more costly to run however.
For a more subtle approach to outdoor heating, place torches and tall roman candles around your seating area. Perfect for warm summer evenings, they add a little bit of heat whilst also adding a lovely ambience to your garden. Citronella candles are particularly great at keeping biting insects and mosquitos at bay - simply stick them into the grass and light the wick.
Now you're aware of all the options, have a look at our Outdoor Heating department to find a stylish and cosy heating accessory for your own garden so you can enjoy the evenings for longer.
