There’s nothing quite like grilling delicious treats on an outdoor patio. And it’s even better if you have some patio heaters to keep the party going when the weather turns chilly. All this heat, of course, requires a fuel source.

Some people hook up their heaters and grills to their building’s natural gas, and if you are looking for a heater or grill that runs off this type of fuel source, we have several options available. Another popular option is liquid propane. Liquid propane or the abbreviated (LP), offers many advantages over using charcoal for powering up your grill, or if it is being used in your heating system.

The Limitations of Other Fuel Sources

With other fuel types, the location of your grills and heaters is permanent. Once you set them up, you can’t move them unless you install a new gas line. This may be OK for large patios that never get reconfigured. However, for smaller patios, or for patios where furnishings get moved around as the needs and the seasons change, liquid propane is a better option. You can easily move the appliances around and even store them elsewhere if you need to.

There are many liquid propane grills and heaters, but not all of them are of high quality. If you purchase a “bargain” unit from a big-box retailer, you may be out of luck if it needs repairs or replacement parts. You may wind up replacing your grill or heater long before you’re ready to do so. It pays to insist on a high-quality unit.

Liquid Propane and Its Benefits

Liquid propane, sometimes called “LP,” is captured during the process of refining petroleum. It may be extracted from natural gas or elsewhere in the process. It burns clean and is environmentally friendly.

LP is a popular fuel choice for outdoor grills. One reason is that it’s conveniently packaged into tanks that tuck under the surface of most grills. When the fuel is expended, the empty tank can be swapped out for a new one at gas stations, hardware stores and markets just about anywhere.

Propane grills are easy to start (often with push-button ignition), deliver even cooking and often contain briquettes that prevent flare-ups. Propane generally burns much more efficiently than natural gas.

Best of all, a grill that runs on liquid propane is a portable grill. There are no gas lines running into the building. There isn’t the tricky hookup process required for natural gas. If a different set of guests shows up, and you want to move your grill to another part of the patio, you can just roll your LP grill wherever you need it. If you want to store your propane grill, you can wheel it into a storage area or garage.

Liquid propane patio heaters share the advantages of propane grills. Portability can be even a bigger issue with heaters than with grills. For example, when guests get up from the table and start to mill about, you can move the heaters to provide the most warmth for the most people.

There was a time when people clustered close to patio heaters to get as near as possible to the warming flame. However, most modern propane heaters are infrared and thus minimize the use of exposed flame.

Infrared heat warms objects rather than heating the air. It’s like heat from the sun. When the wave touches a surface, such as your skin or the chair you’re sitting in, heat energy is released, no matter what the air temperature is. It doesn’t have to heat up an entire patio before people begin to feel warm.

Top Liquid Propane Grills and Heaters

The best brands in patio grills and heaters usually feature liquid propane units in addition to natural gas models. Here are some specific products you might consider.

Liquid Propane Gas Grills

Among the best propane patio grills are PGS grills from AEI Corporation. PGS has over 40 years of experience in manufacturing grills for both residences and commercial use. The units are found not only in back yards but also in restaurants, golf clubs, sailing clubs, apartments and condominiums all over the world.

These rugged and durable grills are made from materials such as permanent mold aluminum and industrial grade stainless steel. PGS grills don’t boast a lot of bells and whistles; the emphasis is on reliability and durability. The grills are straightforward enough for the novice backyard cook to turn out luscious steaks and burgers yet powerful enough for the experienced chef to prepare a feast fo a crowd.

The PGS line includes the Legacy stainless steel series, the aluminum A-series grills and the commercial-grade T-series grills. All these models are available in both liquid propane and natural gas versions.

Liquid Propane Patio Heaters

You can situate liquid propane heaters where you want them, when you want them. There are a number of leading brands to consider as you decide how best to configure your outdoor space with these heaters.

• Sunglo is the granddaddy of patio heaters. These were first designed in 1961 and have been warming residential and commercial patios for over half a century. They’ve stood the test of time as infrared heaters that are efficient and durable. Sunglo makes both permanent and portable standing heaters. The portable liquid propane models can be set up anywhere and moved wherever you need them.
• Patio Comfort heaters are some of the most attractive units you can buy. They’re available in cast aluminum and stainless steel, and there’s even a heater with a unique powder coating of antique bronze urethane. The first-rate design and materials produce a patio heater that creates a warm circle of radiant heat. Like the sun, they directly warm people and chairs without wasting energy heating the air.
• Sunpak makes wall-mounted liquid propane heaters. They work on ceilings as well and are thus ideal for covered outdoor spaces. These hardy stainless steel units are used around the world in both residential and commercial settings. There are models that are operated with a hard-wired switch as well as those that can be controlled by a remote.
• Sunstar patio heaters are also wall-mounted. While it might be difficult to take down a wall-mounted LP unit during a party and move it somewhere else, you can change the location between events without having to run new gas lines. These units are controlled by a 3-position switch to deliver output from 24,000 to 36,000 BTU. They’re available in aluminized steel or Marine Grade 316 stainless steel.
• Kindle Allison patio heaters are known for their luxe style and impeccable performance. Kindle Heaters are powered by a CSA Certified Infrared Dynamics Sunglo patio heater, rated at 40,000 Btu/Hr ), with readily available replaceable parts and service through Heaterz, Inc
• Bromic heaters boast the Tungsten Smart-Heat™ Gas famous for its durability and high performance. This heater has an array of mounting options and accessories to enhance any outdoor space.

Step Up To Liquid Propane Grills and Heaters

When you’re hosting an outdoor party or cooking grilled delights for a collection of hungry guests, you want to focus on the food and the company, not on the appliances. With the best brands in liquid propane grills and heaters, you can do just that. These outdoor tools are convenient and flexible, and they make your job as the host a breeze. Ask anyone who’s made the switch to portable liquid propane devices, and you’ll hear from someone who’s happy with how well their outdoor appliances work and how easy they are to use.