| In some areas right now, the weather is ideal for | | | | the chimenea, it's best to use kindling-size |
| sitting outside in the evening -- the bugs have | | | | wood.Many wood-burning units have optional |
| gone and the sky is clear -- but the nights are | | | | cooking grills so your fire can do double duty |
| chilly. Don't let the cool evenings send you inside -- | | | | warming your toes and your tummy. Try this |
| extend your outdoor living season by heating your | | | | yummy "pizza" recipe, cooked up in campfire |
| deck or patio.Different heaters are available for | | | | irons.Any open fire is a potential hazard. Keep any |
| different needs and circumstances. A heater will | | | | overhead sparks from tree branches or patio |
| be powered by propane, natural gas, alcohol-gel, | | | | overheads, and be sure to teach children proper |
| electricity, wood, or wood substitutes such as | | | | fire safety.Natural gas heaters are easy to use |
| charcoal or artificial logs. Depending on the size | | | | but are usually built in and, although bottled gas |
| and the heat source, they may warm only a small | | | | may be purchased, are best limited to those |
| space or heat a party-size yard.For all heating | | | | areas that have natural gas service.Propane |
| units to perform optimally, they will need the right | | | | heaters can be economical to operate. Depending |
| location. The ideal site is a combination of walls or | | | | on the heat output level you set, a standard |
| fences (to radiate the heat back into your space) | | | | propane tank can provide 10-12 hours of |
| and overhead structures that will prevent the | | | | heat.Propane-powered "mushroom" or "umbrella" |
| wind from blowing directly through your selected | | | | heaters (so called because of their shape) are the |
| area.Here are some tips for effective and safe | | | | best choice for heating large areas. They radiate |
| use:Wood-burning fireplaces and fire pits are | | | | warming rays from the top cylinder and provide a |
| generally the least expensive to buy and to | | | | comfort zone of 12 - 20 feet in diameter. The |
| operate. Check for zoning ordinances to be sure | | | | propane tank is hidden in the bottom of the unit. |
| that you can burn wood on your property. Some | | | | It's a good idea to put these units away when not |
| municipalities allow wood burning in a small | | | | in use as they can be sensitive to the elements. |
| chimenea unit, but will not approve a built-in or dug | | | | Smaller tabletop units are also available.Although |
| fire pit. Wood-burning units range from small | | | | electric heat is usually the most expensive, there |
| collapsible units on wheels for easy portability to | | | | are a few electric heaters designed specifically for |
| huge built-in concrete fireplaces. If you are | | | | outdoor use. Be sure that any heater that is left |
| permitted to burn wood, you are sure to find a | | | | outside is rated as such.With the wide selection of |
| unit to suit your needs!If you have a pottery | | | | outdoor heating devices available, you're sure to |
| fireplace, or chimenea, use it cautiously as these | | | | find one that right's for you. So heat up the night |
| units are lightweight and reasonably fragile. To | | | | - and go right on enjoying your outdoor space. |
| keep the fire from getting hot enough to break | | | | |