Does this sound familiar? It is a beautiful evening and you don't want to go inside just yet. But as soon as the sun goes down, you face a dilemma: do you choose the atmosphere of a real wood fire, or the comfort and convenience of a patio heater?
Fortunately, you no longer have to choose. The pellet heater combines the irresistible cozyness of real flames with the comfort of modern patio heating. In this blog, we explain exactly what a pellet heater is and why this might just be the best investment for your garden.
What exactly is a pellet heater?
A pellet heater (also called a pellet patio heater) is an outdoor stove specially designed to deliver large amounts of radiant heat in a clean and efficient way. Instead of large logs of firewood, this heater runs on wood pellets.
Wood pellets are small, cylindrical pellets pressed under high pressure from untreated sawdust and wood waste. When using these pellets, the released energy is used very efficiently, ensuring optimal heat output.
How does a pellet patio heater or pellet fireplace work?
The principle of a pellet patio heater is as clever as it is effective. You fill the built-in pellet hopper with wood pellets. You light the pellets via the special construction at the bottom using a natural ignition gel or firelighter cubes.
Thanks to this unique design, a natural draft and an optimal gasification process are created. The fire builds up in a controlled manner, burning extremely efficiently, constantly, and quietly from the bottom up.
Why should I buy a pellet patio heater?
Why choose a pellet heater instead of a traditional fire pit or an electric heater? Quite simple: because a pellet heater combines the ambiance of a fire pit with the warmth and convenience of a traditional patio heater.
The 3 main benefits of a pellet heater at a glance:
- Never sit in smoke again (Low-smoke combustion): The biggest disadvantage of a regular fire pit is smoke nuisance. As soon as the wood is not dry enough or the air supply is suboptimal, it starts to smoke. A pellet heater uses an extremely high combustion temperature and a sophisticated oxygen supply system. The result? A virtually smoke-free and odorless combustion. You will never be caught in a coughing fit when the wind turns, and your clothes stay fresh.
- Extremely high efficiency (Less fuel, more heat): With an open fire pit, a large part of the heat flies directly straight up into the air. A waste of energy. A pellet heater, on the other hand, has a very high efficiency. Thanks to the constant flame and the use of heat-resistant glass, the heat is directed very purposefully and powerfully as radiant heat to the sides. This means you need much less fuel to get a larger surface area comfortably warm.
- No hassle with flying sparks and ash (Safety): Crackling wood is atmospheric, but flying sparks can be unpleasant and unsafe for yourself and your patio furniture. Because the pellets burn in a controlled chamber, you won’t suffer from flying sparks at all.
In addition, the combustion is so efficient that barely any waste is left behind. After a whole evening of burning, you will find only a minimal layer of fine ash in the ash drawer. Cleaning is done in a minute.
Sustainable and cheap to use
In addition to comfort, a pellet heater is also a conscious, green choice. Because pellets are made from waste wood, it is a form of biomass. The CO2 released during combustion is equal to the amount of CO2 that the tree absorbed during its growth. It is therefore a CO2-neutral way of heating.
Moreover, it is friendly to your wallet. While electricity costs for a heavy electric heater or refills for a gas bottle can run up significantly, wood pellets are relatively cheap. On average, a wonderfully warm evening outdoors with a pellet heater costs between €0.40 and €0.80 per hour.
Handy tips for optimal use
Want to get the most out of your pellet heater? Keep the following basic tips in mind:
- Choose quality (ENplus A1): Always buy white pellets with an ENplus A1 certification. These are made of pure softwood, have the highest energy value, and leave behind the least ash residue.
- Let it burn out completely: A pellet heater regulates itself. You cannot easily "turn off" the fire halfway through like you can with gas. Therefore, let the heater burn out until the pellets are gone. Note: supervision of the pellet heater is required even while it is burning out.
- Outdoor use only: No matter how clean the combustion is, a pellet heater consumes oxygen. Therefore, use it exclusively in the open air, under an open canopy, or on a very well-ventilated veranda.
Which pellet heater suits you?
Are you convinced of the benefits and want to enjoy a smoke-free, atmospheric fire on your patio? In our assortment, you will find pellet heaters from absolute top brands, each with their own unique strength:
- Green Flame: The specialist with a full focus on innovative patio heating of premium quality.
- Esschert Design: Known for their atmospheric designs and a huge range of products for everywhere in the garden.
- HEAT Outdoor Living: The perfect choice for those looking for robust and effective patio heaters for a sharp, low price.