Outdoor patio heaters can give you years of reliable service but it is necessary to take care of them and do some regular, simple maintenance.  Follow the directions below and your outdoor patio heater will be part of your outdoor enjoyment for years.

Most outdoor patio heaters these days are able to withstand adverse weather, wind, rain and cold temperatures and are finished in very durable finishes but there are some important things to remember to ensure they give you many years of trouble-free use.

If the patio heater is made from stainless steel usually a regular wipe over with a moist cloth is all that is needed to clean the exterior surfaces.  For other finishes use warm soapy water to wipe the exterior surfaces and then use straight water to wipe away any residues.  Do this at least every couple of months.

Do not squirt the patio heater with a garden hose or splash water onto it to clean it.  This will ensure water does not get into parts of the heater, for example the propane burner, which are normally shielded from water and can rust.

Since your heater is being left outside, things can deteriorate.  Before you light your outdoor heater for the first time in Autumn, inspect the hoses to ensure they are not cracked or damaged.  Make sure that all connections are tight.  Turn on the gas and smell for any gas leaks. If you notice any leaking gas, turn off the gas immediately.

If your outdoor propane heater uses gas from an attached gas bottle, there are some simple steps you should take to prolong the use of the gas bottle.  At the beginning of the season, check that the connections to the gas bottle are tight and there are no leakages.  Gently brush away any dust and cobwebs from the cylinder.  At the end of the season when the weather turns, make sure the gas tap is turned off and disconnect the gas bottle from the connector hose.  Store the tank upright in a protected area away from any heat source.

Portable propane heaters should be stored indoors when not going to be used for some time, like during the winter months.  If this is not possible then a patio heater cover will be a wise investment.  This will protect the important components of the heater from the elements.

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Technorati Tags: burner, burners, cover, covers, heater, heaters, outdoor, patio, portable, propane

Tags: burner, burners, cover, covers, heater, heaters, outdoor, patio, portable, propane

This entry was posted on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 1:56 pm and is filed under Patio Heaters. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.