Winter heating options for the great outdoors

Winter is certainly upon us. Snow is falling in the alps, rain and winds are raging and families all around the country are huddling around heaters at night in an effort to keep warm. But what about our outdoor living spaces? Many Australian homes are designed in such a way that we spend much of our time outdoors and with the range of heating options available today this can continue even through the colder months.

Here are just a few options.

The outdoor BBQ

A barbeque with an open fire is the perfect place to sit on a cold winter’s afternoon. Place a few comfortable chairs in front of the fireplace and settle in. Make sure the chairs have high covered backs to protect from cold breezes and add a selection of brightly coloured cushions and a throw rug for additional warmth.

Gas heaters

These days there is a wide range of outdoor gas heating options. For the best results try those tall gas heaters with umbrella style tops which radiate heat out to an area of around 16 square metres. This heater is often used by cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating.

The Chiminea

For style, comfort and rustic good looks it’s hard to beat a chiminea. Originally from Mexico, the chiminea is a large clay pot with an open side and small chimney-like funnel. They are available from home decorator stores, BBQ stores and even some larger home hardware stores. Before use, make sure you cure your chiminea to prevent cracking as the clay heats up and expands. It’s preferable not to leave your chiminea outside when it’s not in use, as exposure to cold weather or rain can also lead to cracking.

If using a chiminea on a patio or covered verandah ensure there is adequate overhead clearance for the funnel. When lighting your chiminea, do not use kerosene or any other combustion agent as this can increase heat too rapidly.

Braziers

Another popular outdoor heating option is the brazier. A brazier is a metal bowl-like structure with holes or open slatted slides, an open top and a tray for catching ash. Braziers are excellent winter warmers and because of their open top, can also form the base of an outdoor BBQ so you can cook and be warm at the same time!

Braziers work best with heat beads, which will take about 30 minutes to heat up enough for cooking.

Remember to keep safe when using outdoor heating. All sides of both chimineas and braziers heat up, so keep children, low hanging branches, low roofs and any flammable items well away. Most importantly, do not try to move your outdoor heater while it is alight and always wait until the heater is completely cool before moving.