Outdoor dining is a great way for restaurants to increase their space and revenue. This, of course, is easy to do during the warmer seasons. However, you don’t have to close up your outdoor dining space when it starts getting chilly. Instead, invest in some outdoor heaters for restaurants, and keep your diners warm and cozy.
Benefits of Optimal Outdoor Heaters for Businesses
Outdoor dining is about providing a comfortable environment for your customers, even in colder months. When businesses can seamlessly extend their operations outdoors, they tap into a wider audience, allowing more people to enjoy their services throughout the year. Using the right outdoor heaters is a game-changer, and here’s why:
- Consistent Customer Flow: Ensuring that your diners are warm and comfortable means they’re more likely to stay longer, order more, and return in the future.
- Versatility: The best heaters are designed to be functional in various setups. Whether you have a sprawling patio or a compact alfresco dining space, there’s a heater that’s just right.
- Safety: Business-grade heaters are built with safety in mind, ensuring that while they keep your patrons warm, they don’t pose any threats.
Outdoor Heaters for Restaurants: Great Picks From Amazon
Choosing the right outdoor heaters for a restaurant is essential for creating a comfortable and inviting outdoor dining experience, especially in cooler climates or seasons. Here’s a guide to the key criteria for selecting the best outdoor heaters for restaurant use:
- Heater Type:
- Scale of Importance: 9/10
- There are various types of outdoor heaters, including propane, electric, and natural gas heaters. Propane heaters are portable but require regular fuel replacement, electric heaters are convenient and often more eco-friendly, and natural gas heaters are fixed and require a gas line.
- Heat Output and Efficiency:
- Scale of Importance: 9/10
- The heat output, measured in BTUs (British Thermal Units) for gas heaters or watts for electric heaters, should be sufficient for the space you need to heat. Efficiency is also important for keeping operating costs down.
- Safety Features:
- Scale of Importance: 9/10
- Features like automatic shut-off, tilt-over protection, and cool-touch surfaces are crucial for safety, especially in a busy restaurant setting.
- Durability and Weather Resistance:
- Scale of Importance: 8/10
- Outdoor heaters should be durable and able to withstand various weather conditions, including wind, rain, and temperature fluctuations.
- Design and Aesthetics:
- Scale of Importance: 7/10
- The heater’s design should complement the restaurant’s outdoor decor. Stylish heaters can enhance the overall ambiance.
- Ease of Use and Maintenance:
- Scale of Importance: 7/10
- Look for heaters that are easy to operate and maintain, with features like easy ignition, adjustable heat settings, and simple fuel replacement or electrical hookup.
- Size and Portability:
- Scale of Importance: 6/10
- Consider the size of the heaters in relation to the available space. Portability may be important if you need to move them regularly for storage or to adjust layout.
- Environmental Impact:
- Scale of Importance: 6/10
- Electric heaters are generally more environmentally friendly than gas heaters. If sustainability is a key consideration for your restaurant, this may influence your choice.
- Cost and Budget:
- Scale of Importance: 7/10
- Balance the initial cost of the heaters with operational costs and expected lifespan. More expensive models might offer better efficiency and durability.
- Brand Reputation and Warranty:
- Scale of Importance: 6/10
- Consider the manufacturer’s reputation for quality and reliability, as well as warranty terms and customer service.
We applied these criteria to the products we researched, and found our top picks to share with you:
Calcana Patio Heater
Calcana produces one of the best outdoor patio heaters in the market. Made in the U.S.A, this heater has high-quality heavy-duty stainless-steel construction. The infrared heating system delivers 20,000 to 40,000 BTU per hour.
The bracket installation system allows for ceiling or wall mounting options to direct heat where you need it. You can get 28,000 – 40,000 BTU in a 12′ x 12′ area mounted 8 to 12 foot high.
This gas heater has temperature control without open flames or glowing red parts. This allows it to work at high altitudes without being affected by wind, this heater can be installed anywhere outdoors. The fuel consumption is just as impressive, as it uses 40% less fuel to save you gas.
The five-foot heater weighs 75lbs. and you can choose between natural gas and propane.
CALCANA Natural Gas Outdoor Patio Heater
Bromic Heating Portable Radiant Infrared Heater
The Bromic Heating portable directional radiant infrared heater is a stylish unit with 38500 BTU. It uses electronic ignition to quickly light the heater and it can heat people up to 15 feet in front of the heater.
Two rolling wheels let you move the heater around and you can adjust the heat from 21, 300 to 38, 500 BTU per hour. The unit can hold either a 20 pound or 30-pound tank and it will continue working in wind up to 7. 5 miles per hour. There is also a safety feature that shuts off the gas flow in case of a flameout or over-tilting of the heater.
This heater is 27.6 x 19.2 x 85.2 inches, weighs 22 pounds, and runs on propane.
Bromic Heating Portable Radiant Infrared Patio Heater
Amazon Basics Outdoor Patio Heater
With 46,000 BTUs of output, the Amazon Basics outdoor propane heater delivers value in terms of price and efficiency. The 46,000 BTUs can heat a 9-foot radius, which makes it practical for commercial restaurants and cafes with patios.
A piezo ignition system provides easy to use push-button function and it also has a safety auto shut-off tilt valve. You can move the heater around to different locations with the two heavy-duty wheels and secure it in place by filling up the water box to add more weight and stability.
This heater is 33 x 18 x 89 inches, weighs 35.9 pounds, and runs on propane.
Amazon Basics 46,000 BTU Outdoor Propane Patio Heater with Wheels
Terra Hiker Commercial Gas Outdoor Heater
At 55,000 BTUs, the Terra Hiker commercial gas outdoor heater can heat an area of up to 322 sq. ft. A wide contact area allows this heater to provide complete combustion for higher heat output.
This unit only consumes 0.73 lb. of fuel per hour. This allows it to deliver up to 27 hours of heat on a 20 lb. container. The company says this is twice the burn time compared to other patio gas heaters in the market. The safety feature turns the unit off if it is tipped over.
This heater is 34 x 18 x 18 inches, weighs 20 pounds, and runs on propane.
Terra Hiker Outdoor Commercial Gas Heater with Wheels
Dr Infrared Heater
With free-standing as well as wall and ceiling mounting options, this electric Dr Infrared Heater has three power settings at 900W, 1200W, and 1500W. It uses a high-level mirror aluminum reflector with 90% reflectivity to efficiently radiate the heat. And you can use the remote control to adjust the settings.
The heater is designed to work in moisture, condensation, and exposure to elements such as rain. The safety feature has a dual tip-over system that is installed in the tripod and heater.
This heater is 35 x 4 x 8 inches and weighs 15 pounds.
Dr Infrared Heater Carbon Infrared Patio Heater with Tripod
Bromic Heating Infrared Patio Heater
Another entry from Bromic Heating is this natural gas infrared patio heater made from brushed stainless steel and tinted ceramic glass. This design allows you to install the heater on walls and ceilings to provide up to 39,800 BTU per hour.
The five-burner heater can heat up to 200 square feet up to 16 feet away from the heater. And you can install multiple heaters and control them wirelessly. When it comes to outdoor performance, Bromic Heating says it has the highest wind rating in the industry at 12 MPH.
The heater is made from durable stainless-steel parts, and it measures 15.6 x 29.75 x 15 inches while weighing 40 pounds.
Bromic Heating Smart-Heat Platinum Infrared Patio Heater
DONYER POWER Ceiling Mounted Heater
The DONYER POWER ceiling heater offers a great alternative for open patios with ceilings. This overhead unit delivers 600W and 1500W of radiant heat with two halogen heating tubes. With IP24 certification, you can use this heater in wet and rainy environments.
You can connect anywhere with a standard 120-volt 60 Hz 12.5 amp wall outlet.
This heater is 16.54 x 16.54 x 9.84 inches and weighs just 4.19 pounds.
DONYER POWER 1500W Outdoor/Indoor Electric Patio Heater
Types of Fuels
Fuels give you different options when it comes to heating your space. If your patio doesn’t have powerful electric outlets, natural gas and propane are a great option. However, they also have their inconveniences.
Electricity: Using electricity to heat your outdoor restaurant space is convenient. You can install a heater and use it right away. The downside is electric heaters are not as powerful as natural gas or propane. Moreover, you have to have access to electricity to use them which is not always possible for outdoor spaces.
Natural Gas: Natural gas is a good solution for free-standing, permanent post, and ceiling/wall-mounted heaters. Heaters with natural gas are more powerful and you don’t have to worry about filling a tank. Initially, natural gas installations are usually more expensive but deliver value in the long run.
Propane: Just like natural gas, propane also delivers strong heat. The benefit of propane heaters is you can move them around to spot heat in different locations. On the other hand, you have to fill the propane tank regularly and it is more expensive.
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This article, "Outdoor Heaters for Restaurants: Our Top Picks" was first published on Small Business Trends
