It is always a shame when our enjoyment of our patios is cut short because it just gets to darn cold for us to stick it out any more.
Have you ever thought about fighting back against the elements and purchasing a propane powered patio heater? A lot of people are a little wary of explosively flammable fuels: "What if it blows up?" some ask.
Well, this type of fear can apply to anything from attending barbecues powered by gas or driving your car which runs on liquid gas.
You may also ask what if you have an electric patio heater and it malfunctions and electrocutes somebody? Most people are far or too familiar with the old action film footage of exploding gas canisters.
But, rest assured that propane canisters are extremely safe provided they are used in the correct manner.
Simply ensure the canisters are away from dangerous heat sources and don't come in contact with naked flames and you have nothing to worry about.
With propane patio heaters the canisters are always safely enclosed in the bottom of the heater well away from the flames and heat.
General safety precautions with propane patio heaters are almost exactly the same as any other sort of gas appliance.
It is advised before each use that all connections between canister and appliance -- the heater - are checked to ensure they fit tightly and no leaks are occurring.
A general rule of thumb is, if in doubt, don't light up.
Propane canisters may well be very tough but if the canister is old with signs of corrosion, indentation or any signs of weakness or fault then it is always best to be safe and use a different canister and keep that one away from where flames are.
Another very important point is to familiarize yourself with how unburned propane smells by releasing a little without burning it (allow it to disburse first, don't breath it right up from the source).
Now you know precisely how it smells, you should be able to tell in future if any leakage of unburned propane occurs and react swiftly by turning off or extinguishing the flames and shutting off and disconnecting the gas.
Gas leaks can be extremely dangerous and it's always wise to call the emergency services or place you purchased the canister from should anything go wrong and you fear for your safety.
Have you ever seen a slow punctured car or bicycle tire whilst wet? You will see bubbles.
If you really want to know whether or not your gas canister is in tiptop condition without any leaks whatsoever all you have to do is listen closely -- particularly near the valve were most leaks are likely to occur -- or wet the canister/connectors with water particularly near the valve and observe any bubbles for signs of a leak.
Generally, with any purchase of any type of quality patio heater you should get with the unit a good set of guidelines for safety and usage; the manufacturer should know more about the operation, limitations and safety of the unit than anyone else, so reading their guidelines carefully and applying some of your own common sense and some of the tips in this article will ensure you and your guests stay safe, and warm.
Have you ever thought about fighting back against the elements and purchasing a propane powered patio heater? A lot of people are a little wary of explosively flammable fuels: "What if it blows up?" some ask.
Well, this type of fear can apply to anything from attending barbecues powered by gas or driving your car which runs on liquid gas.
You may also ask what if you have an electric patio heater and it malfunctions and electrocutes somebody? Most people are far or too familiar with the old action film footage of exploding gas canisters.
But, rest assured that propane canisters are extremely safe provided they are used in the correct manner.
Simply ensure the canisters are away from dangerous heat sources and don't come in contact with naked flames and you have nothing to worry about.
With propane patio heaters the canisters are always safely enclosed in the bottom of the heater well away from the flames and heat.
General safety precautions with propane patio heaters are almost exactly the same as any other sort of gas appliance.
It is advised before each use that all connections between canister and appliance -- the heater - are checked to ensure they fit tightly and no leaks are occurring.
A general rule of thumb is, if in doubt, don't light up.
Propane canisters may well be very tough but if the canister is old with signs of corrosion, indentation or any signs of weakness or fault then it is always best to be safe and use a different canister and keep that one away from where flames are.
Another very important point is to familiarize yourself with how unburned propane smells by releasing a little without burning it (allow it to disburse first, don't breath it right up from the source).
Now you know precisely how it smells, you should be able to tell in future if any leakage of unburned propane occurs and react swiftly by turning off or extinguishing the flames and shutting off and disconnecting the gas.
Gas leaks can be extremely dangerous and it's always wise to call the emergency services or place you purchased the canister from should anything go wrong and you fear for your safety.
Have you ever seen a slow punctured car or bicycle tire whilst wet? You will see bubbles.
If you really want to know whether or not your gas canister is in tiptop condition without any leaks whatsoever all you have to do is listen closely -- particularly near the valve were most leaks are likely to occur -- or wet the canister/connectors with water particularly near the valve and observe any bubbles for signs of a leak.
Generally, with any purchase of any type of quality patio heater you should get with the unit a good set of guidelines for safety and usage; the manufacturer should know more about the operation, limitations and safety of the unit than anyone else, so reading their guidelines carefully and applying some of your own common sense and some of the tips in this article will ensure you and your guests stay safe, and warm.