Alfresco ambience
Enjoy the outdoors all year round with the latest range of outdoor heating solutions
With our largely temperate climate, alfresco dining and outdoor living is a natural element of our relaxed Australian lifestyle. An inviting outdoor living space at home offers not only an enjoyable venue for entertaining or relaxing with family and friends, it also provides the opportunity to create a more seamless and spacious living area between inside and out.
“Australians take their backyards very seriously,” says Robert Caulfield, managing director of Archicentre. “For them, this is the place to kick back for eight months of the year.”
But now, instead of putting an end to outdoor entertaining in the cooler months, more of us are turning to outdoor heaters to keep us warm and cosy. And with an ever growing range of stylish and effective portable outdoor heating options, now’s a great time to invest in your very own fiery centrepiece.
“Outdoor entertaining has always been a popular Australian past time,” says Jenny Price, global marketing director of The Fire Company. “And the introduction of an outdoor room in many property developments has increased the opportunity for this to occur all year round.
“The increasing variety of outdoor heating products that serve to take the chill off these areas has further enhanced the alfresco dining scene.”
Heating options
There are a variety of different outdoor heating options, all with varying levels of energy efficiency and ease of use. Gas-powered outdoor heaters provide instant warmth at the flick of a switch and are available in portable floor or tabletop models, or permanent heaters can be installed under cover.
Not as energy efficient as their gas or bioethanol cousins, electric outdoor heaters are another effective option and the emerging ranges of bioethanol-fuelled outdoor fireplaces are surprisingly effective and look great.
But if you can be bothered to light up some good old fashioned briquettes, opt for a traditional wood-fired Mexican clay Chiminea or black Brazier. Or for a more unique feature, a stylish firepit is a great solution.
Prices range from $79 to $1,000+ but who wants to put a price on enjoying the great outdoors all year round?!
What’s hot
Mini T RRP$1,395 EcoSmart Fire | 
Dish RRP$595 EcoSmart Fire | 
Firepit with Rails RRP$1492 Entanglements |
Chapala Chiminea Mexicana RRP$239, Bunnings | 
Brazier and Grill RRP$79 Barbeques Galor | 
Electric Tower Heater RRP$199 Barbeques Galore |
Maxiheat Stainless Steel Gas Patio Heater RRP$249 Barbeques Galore | 
Table Top Gas Heater RRP$109 Bunnings | 
Gasmate Silver Powdercoat Area Heater RRP$279 Bunnings |
www.barbequesgalore.com.au
www.bunnings.com.au
www.ecosmartfire.com
www.entanglements.com.au
Whats your ideal outdoor setting?