Patio heaters are not merely those expensive items anymore that you can find only in front of restaurants. They have become quite a household items now.
And, as you’ve managed to land on this page, we guess, you have one right on your patio.
Patio heaters are needed to lighten up, and it uses gas (propane, petroleum, or butane) that is highly flammable. So, when you’re learning about how to light patio heater, you need to be super-conscious.
Let’s go through the guide and find out some real actionable steps on how to light patio heater manually-
Precautions Before Lighting Patio Heater
A patio heater is one of the beauty enhancer kits for the garden that requires concerned maintenance. Before lighting a patio heater manually for the first time you must take the precautions below-
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Check the Patio Heater Gas Usage
As you are certainly going to use gases like LPG, propane, or butane, you have to ensure that your tank is completely full. If not, it’s empty. The gas tank for the patio heater is at the base of it and by just lifting it you will examine if it is full or empty.
By doing this, you are ensuring that you don’t light the heater on an empty tank or light it on a tank that will not last the period you are planning on using it for. If you realize it’s almost empty, just be wise and get a replacement to save you the shame.
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Gas Delivery Pipe
The gas delivery pipe is key for you to have a proper heating time. As gas is being delivered to the heater through the pipe, there will be a sound of it. Be keen to listen out for this.
For the patio that uses electronic ignitions, there will be a spark that makes a sound as the gas is being delivered.
If you notice any smell of gas as you have turned on the patio, don’t waste time. Just turn it off as this may cause a disastrous blast that you do not want to experience. This may be due to a patio heater gas leak and you should consider replacing it immediately with a new one.
Always ensure that there are no flammable items near the heater as this may also cause a blast.
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Gas regulator
The gas regulator for patio heater acts as the guide to control the heat of the patio heater. Ensure that you follow the gas regulator as indicated on the labels. The regulator connects the gas delivery pipe and the carrier up to the burner.
Always ensure that the regulator is properly working as you certainly do not want a fault on it. Some have switches that turn the valve off and on preventing the cylinder from being depressed.
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Clean Gas Pipe
The patio heater gas pipe should always be of a clear path. Very rarely you will find it blocked or clogged. But if it happens, always make sure to clean it. You can detach it from the gas tank and blow it to ensure that it’s clear. If it is blocked, attend to it by clearing the path as the pipe is in charge of the gas delivery from the tank to the heater.
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Inspect Burner
The burner should always be clear to have an even distribution of heat. Always inspect it for any irregularities by taking it out and looking for any elements that may cause a blockage. This has to be always done when the patio heater is closed as you do not want to mess with fire.
Beneath the burner, there is an inlet that allows gas to mix with air. This part also should be air free and should have no blockage at all.
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The Bug Screen
The bug screen should always be clear. This is will guarantee your flame is clean and free from insects. The screen acts as a guard to insects that are attracted to light hence keeping them away from the roast. When cleaning detach the bug screen, give it a proper water wash and dry properly. This should be done as often as possible so as not to have any bad stain on it.
Apart from these 6 precautions, if you find any other issues, run a thorough patio heater maintenance and health check.
How to Light Up a Patio Heater
You should always be cautious when lighting the heater. The first thing you should do is to make sure it’s not close to any combustible or explosive item that may cause a disaster. Apart from that, the distance to the wall or roof should be enough depending on the heat you put up and the size of your patio heater, and the number you are using.
Based on the ignition system, there are two types of patio heaters available like the wood pellet stove. Here is the quick recommendation of both types of patio heater.
We will discuss the manual lighting up the procedure of both types of patio heater.
Patio Heater Lighting Instructions: With The Pilot Ignition System
The ignition system is built-in and is a part of the valve control system. Turn on the ignition system clockwise and here is what you should do-
- Push-turn the control knob into position, and keep it for 45 seconds. This will ignite a pilot flame and check it through the ½’’ match lighting hole.
- Do not let go of the knob. Instead, press 4-5 times on the stick button. And if it doesn’t work, use a long candle lighter to ensure that you do not get close to the flame.
- Now that you have your flame pop out the knob, turn to high on the recommended degree that you may want to take into consideration the space that you have.
Patio Heater Lighting Instructions: Without Pilot Ignition System
- First, ensure that you are on the safe side by checking if the liquefied gas tank is completely closed.
- Now you may attach the tank and open it carefully slow until you have a full open for maximum patio heater gas usage.
- Thirdly, depress the gas control knob and turn it to the low position and do not let go. Then, press the ignition for 3-4 times. If it doesn’t ignite, use a long candle lighter. You may need to follow the instructions provided with the lighter to learn lighting the patio heater with a lighter.
- Keep the gas knob depressed so that gas may flow still without any hitch.
- Finally, you may release the gas knob and turn it to the desirable high or low setting that takes into consideration.
Bottom Line
Always ensure that you are safe from any danger as you use the patio heater. Some of the areas that you should never use this heater are indoors, windy areas, etc. This is because you might have a blast when it’s windy and indoor. The patio heater is your ultimate cold problem solver if you have a restaurant that has an outdoor sitting area.
Always check for patio heater troubleshooting for repair and maintenance.
Ira Schechtel says
Dear Chris, I have been using an out door heater on my porch for years. I have replaced thermocouplers, tilt valves and similar. This current model came with a defect…the electric strike did not work. So for about 18 months, I put a flame to the little hole for a match and turn on the gas, and it lights, then in a few seconds, when the thermo heats up, I turn it on. Lately, the heater will not light. In 5 – 10 seconds I smell propane, and turn it down. Somewhere there is a gas leak, but I don’t know where to look. Any experience…is it a quick gasket or tightening, or should I scrap it?
Christopher Davis says
Hello Ira,
I would contact the manufacturer, as they know your specific model better than I do. If they aren’t able to help you fix it, you might consider purchasing a new one. Hope that helps, let me know if you have any other questons.