View Full Version : Patio heating ideas?
Ok. Technically, not a patio. More of a wooden deck. Therein lies my problem. I would love some sort of small fire pit or little chimney type thing to take the evening chill off so I can sit on my deck and enjoy a beer and a cigar. But I'm a little leery of putting something like that on a wooden deck. Or will it be just fine? I don't really want to hang out in the driveway or the garage.
You could get a propane patio heater. The ones that are 6-7ft tall.
Great-Kazoo
10-28-2013, 21:49
http://www.homedepot.com/s/propane+patio+heaters?NCNI-5
http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4826840055285063&pid=15.1
Great-Kazoo
10-28-2013, 21:49
You could get a propane patio heater. The ones that are 6-7ft tall.
http://www.homedepot.com/s/propane+patio+heaters?NCNI-5
http://ts4.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4826840055285063&pid=15.1
That's an excellent idea ;)
I thought about those but really want the ambiance of a real fire. Plus, I have too much firewood accumulating in the back yard.
Great-Kazoo
10-28-2013, 21:53
I thought about those but really want the ambiance of a real fire. Plus, I have too much firewood accumulating in the back yard.
Ambiance of a real fire is nice. BUT the function / heating benefits of propane heater vs. wood fire, heater wins. You want ambiance or warmth.
Aloha_Shooter
10-28-2013, 22:10
Put the propane heater at either end of the deck and a mass of candles on a table in the middle -- heat AND ambience ... :P
Seriously, you can probably get away with one of those raised firepits, especially if you put some brick underneath to keep direct heat off the timbers.
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I like this one from the Colony House (http://www.houzz.com/photos/4934761/The-Colony-House-modern-deck-phoenix):
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Ouch. They're practically giving that fire pit away; http://www.woodlanddirect.com/Catalog?submit.y=0&submit.x=0&search=Manta+Ray&gclid=CJv_kYKYu7oCFadFMgodZGQAaA
Lots of options on that website: http://www.mantelsdirect.com/Products-Accessories/Outdoor-Fire-Pits-Fire-Bowls?cpao=111&cpca=Outdoor+Search+Fire+Pit+Art&cpag=Manta+Ray+Fire+Pit*PricesAnyBudget&kw=%2Bmanta%20%2Bray%20%2Bfire%20%2Bpit*b&gclid=CO_Eh6qYu7oCFc1AMgodzA0AhQ
So, all I really need is some sort of asbestos rug to put under it. Hmm. Maybe I should just consider tearing down the deck and building some sort of brick or stone patio instead. Heck, I could even burn the old decking in the fire pit.
Danceswithwires
10-28-2013, 22:25
I don't think I would be comfortable with anything that burned actual wood on a wooden deck due to sap pops and flying embers (maybe with a full screen), I would probably go propane. also with propane you can kill the fire dead quickly, a wood fire will take hours to burn down
I don't think I would be comfortable with anything that burned actual wood on a wooden deck due to sap pops and flying embers, I would probably go propane. also with propane you can kill the fire dead quickly, a wood fire will take hours to burn down
Good point. Maybe I need one of those Amish fireplaces I saw on TV. I think they are electric.
Same suggestion as Aloha Shooter. A chiminea has a half chimney to keep smoke out of your face. They also make them out of metal with a metal screen around the whole thing to help catch sparks. The smoke can just blow right out of a metal one though. Part of the reason I went with a stove was so that I didn't have smoke blowing in my face all the time. If you went with some sort of stove, you could heat up hot chocolate on it, and probably cook stuff on it in the summer. Just a thought. Craigslist has a bunch of old stuff for good prices that you probably wouldn't use in your house, but outside or in a shop would be okay.
The other option is to get an open fire that is run on propane as Danceswithwires suggested. Ever seen the ones with glass beads in them? They have them at the Ace Hardware on 104th and Federal.
I couldn't find it on the Ace website, but one of these. http://www.mantelsdirect.com/Products-Accessories/napoleon-MD/Patioflame-Linear-Outdoor-Fire-Pit-Liquid-Propane-with-Natural-Gas-Conversion-Kit-GPFL48MHP?utm_medium=cse&utm_term=Linear%20Outdoor%20Fire%20Pit%20Liquid%20 Propane%20w/%20Natural%20Gas%20Conversion%20Kit&utm_campaign=cse&cpao=111&cpca=PLA+ID&cpag=149508&kw=%7Bkeyword%7D&utm_source=googlebase&mr:trackingCode=C6E4EEFD-2400-E111-8D66-001517B188A2&mr:referralID=NA&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=22750840690&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=48924903015&gclid=CKXm3aequ7oCFewRMwodeSAA2g
Chiminea?
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That at would be cool. That is kind of what I had in mind but I am concerned about burning down my deck (which is attached to my house).
Great-Kazoo
10-29-2013, 07:46
Can't I have both, Jim?
In todays America, no you cannot. You can providing you give 4 to those who don't have ambiance.
That at would be cool. That is kind of what I had in mind but I am concerned about burning down my deck (which is attached to my house).
Throw some patio block down, then chiminea on top of the stone.
That at would be cool. That is kind of what I had in mind but I am concerned about burning down my deck (which is attached to my house).
If you use one of the raised metal stands like the pink one, you won't get enough conduction to cause any worries. Always keep a bed of old ash in the bottom and you will also kill the radiation to the deck. All you would need is something to close off the front so that you choke out the fire when you are done. The ones I have seen have a damper on the top.
I'd actually be less concerned with that than using some of the propane heaters. Amazon carries fire resistant pads for Chimineas by the way.
Chimineas aren't generally big enough to burn for very long either. That is both good and bad. A small chiminea will severly disappoint you with the heat it puts out. You might consider a model with two openings so people can sit around it. There is a chiminea place over at 92nd and Federal.
Great-Kazoo
10-29-2013, 08:47
Chimineas aren't generally big enough to burn for very long either. That is both good and bad. A small chiminea will severly disappoint you with the heat it puts out. You might consider a model with two openings so people can sit around it. There is a chiminea place over at 92nd and Federal.
That the Heat n Eat taco truck ?
A neighbor gave me his old free standing wood stove. When I get around to it, I'm going to put it on platform topped with cement board, and put it on casters so I can move it around on the deck. I'll probably put a stack about 7 ft in the air with a cap on top.
SideShow Bob
10-29-2013, 16:27
Something like this under a fire pit or chiminea should work fine.
I used one similar to this with a charcoal grill when I lived in a house with a wooden deck.
http://www.bbqguys.com/item_name_The-Blue-Rooster-36-X-36-Round-Fire-Resistant-Deck-Pad_path_2120-17644-10976_item_2608316.html
generalmeow
10-29-2013, 16:43
My old neighbor used to have a charcoal grill on his deck. One night I was sitting outside with some friends drinking, and I kept thinking I saw something weird out of the corner of my eye. This went on for like an hour. I was drunk, so I wasn't thinking about it too much.
Eventually I saw a big puff of smoke come up from his deck. I immediately ran over there and told him his deck was on fire. It probably would have burned his house down.
What I remember most about it is that the second I said "I think your deck is on....", he didn't even say anything, or think about it for a split second. He just sprinted away to put it out. He came over later to thank me.
Gotta be careful on a wood deck. I'm sure it was just a tiny piece of something that fell on his.
colorider
10-29-2013, 18:54
I have had several chimineas. Every one cracked and broke. I had 3 propane heaters like the ones posted from Home Depot. Wind blew them down and trashed them. Real bummer because the work great for heat. Currently have the propane fire pit with the glass in the bottom. Great for looking at but pretty useless for heat purposes.
Thanks for all of the replies. Guess I'll have to figure out what to do before winter really sets in.
Have your wife figure out what kind of snacks to serve during the party you throw us for helping you out on this.
Have your wife figure out what kind of snacks to serve during the party you throw us for helping you out on this.
What? You don't think I can figure out the snack situation? [Dunno]
What? You don't think I can figure out the snack situation? [Dunno]
I think people want more than just Cheetos Ray ........... we cant all have that Orange stuff on our hands.
Is your back deck as dried out as your front deck?
I wouldn't even smoke a cigar over it, might ignite like gunpowder. Slow burn as you run and scream for the extinguisher
tmleadr03
10-29-2013, 19:54
I have had an idea on a patio heating idea for a while. No idea if it would actually work but I think it would be fun to try.
A large brick firepit/chimney with radiating benches from it. Build it with piping through it, I figure bring on outside, concrete inside type thing. Fill pipes with fluid (antifreeze water mix like your car) and use Stirling engine to pump the water through a radiator in the fire area. Keep a roaring fire, have warm benches to sit on. Also some radiant heat coming off them for people not sitting.
I know somone who has a heated garage floor with the same idea working off a wood stove. No pump required.
Aloha_Shooter
10-29-2013, 20:05
I know somone who has a heated garage floor with the same idea working off a wood stove. No pump required.
Yeah, all you need to do is use the fact that warm air rises ... have pipes bringing cold air in from the bottom, heat up the air in the pipes by exposure to the fire, then feed the now hot air out the top.
Yeah, all you need to do is use the fact that warm air rises ... have pipes bringing cold air in from the bottom, heat up the air in the pipes by exposure to the GAS, then feed the now hot air out the top.
............in that case just lay down and fart a lot.
I think people want more than just Cheetos Ray ........... we cant all have that Orange stuff on our hands.
Is your back deck as dried out as your front deck?
I wouldn't even smoke a cigar over it, might ignite like gunpowder. Slow burn as you run and scream for the extinguisher
if I poke a toothpick in each one of them they cease to be Cheetos and are now fancy hors devours.
And, yes. My back deck is just as dry as my front. Have you been looking at my decks again?
[Beer]
if I poke a toothpick in each one of them they cease to be Cheetos and are now fancy hors devours.
And, yes. My back deck is just as dry as my front. Have you been looking at my decks again?
[Beer]
I like big DECKS, is the back one bigger than the front? Cause the front is kinda small.[Coffee]
tmleadr03
10-29-2013, 20:30
I like big DECKS, is the back one bigger than the front? Cause the front is kinda small.[Coffee]
You know, if you trim the bush around your deck it looks bigger.
I like big DECKS, is the back one bigger than the front? Cause the front is kinda small.[Coffee]
You know, if you trim the bush around your deck it looks bigger.
[LOL]
You know, if you trim the bush around your deck it looks bigger.
You know I dont remember but I dont think Ray has any bush around his front DECK?
....jesus where is this hijacked thread going? Sorry Ray. [Coffee]
Yeah, all you need to do is use the fact that warm air rises ... have pipes bringing cold air in from the bottom, heat up the air in the pipes by exposure to the fire, then feed the now hot air out the top.
Basically. The pipes are full of fluid. As the stove heats one side, the fluid starts moving. There is enough piping in the garage floor that the returning fluid is always cooler than the feeding end, so the flow keeps going.
tmleadr03
10-29-2013, 20:59
Basically. The pipes are full of fluid. As the stove heats one side, the fluid starts moving. There is enough piping in the garage floor that the returning fluid is always cooler than the feeding end, so the flow keeps going.
If I ever build a house it is going to have radiant floor heating based off this principle.
If I ever win the lottery, my next house is going to have a heated driveway. No more shoveling snow.
hghclsswhitetrsh
10-29-2013, 21:37
Basically. The pipes are full of fluid. As the stove heats one side, the fluid starts moving. There is enough piping in the garage floor that the returning fluid is always cooler than the feeding end, so the flow keeps going.
The "antifreeze" is called glycol FYI.
The "antifreeze" is called glycol FYI.
Thanks.
Tmleadr03: I took this picture at Home Depot the other day because I liked the idea so much. You could very easily hide your pipes using a similar idea.
https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-kLzuapafpH4/UlsMDYQJWDI/AAAAAAAAFGs/I9C-Epx-plo/w1109-h624-no/20131013_150836.jpg
If I ever win the lottery, my next house is going to have a heated driveway. No more shoveling snow.
It's actually not that expensive if you do the work yourself
I have a brick patio and have been thinking about making a fire pit from cinder blocks, sand and a large grill grate. Won't look overly pretty, but I think it will work for heat.
Fuck it, just smoke in the house where it's already warm!
How about gas fire pits?
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