my father and his wife spend alot of time outside and for christmas my brothers and I would like to buy them a out door heater but which is best .does anyone have one and what do you think about it . is it oil filled electic ,gas or wood burning . any advise to help us make our choice would be gratfully appricated

I believe gardening which had a look on this subject and had some information about how easy the patio heaters are to use... I am not sure how useful either will be as you have to be facing the heat to benefit from it.

Chimeara on the other had you can cook on and are rather like having a large outside oven... my worry would be the materials stability in frosty conditions...

Hope this helps a bit...

Hi Wenolean,just to let you know i have a metal wood burning patio heater and i love it to bits,it is open all round so no matter where you are sitting you can see the flames and feel the heat.no need to go indoors untill the early hours it works so well.(you can tell i love it cant you!)
sue

terracotta chimeneas look lovely,but ours cracked very badly,probably because my husband likes to see the flames actually shooting out of the top of the chimney!! i don't think it would be warm enough to use it year round but we are hooked on ours 4 about 9 months a year and have got a replacement already for when the cracked one finally collapses!

Hi Grower,

You need to click on see last comments... but when you get your next chimenea try getting one where you can put a cook pot in the chimney - as this allows you to cook the most wonderful stews...

Angela