Gas patio heaters can be manufactured to operate on propane, butane or natural gas.  Before connecting for the first time check the manufacturers instructions taking note on the type of fuel applicable.  Some models are designed for single fuel use, other models are duel fuel designed.  If a regulator has been supplied refer to the instructions for the regulator and select the right type of cylinder to match the regulator supplied.  Regulators are manufactured to fit specific types of cylinders and must marry with the correct cylinder.  For more information on regulators please see Propane Clip-on, Propane Screw-on, Butane Clip-on and Butane Screw-on.

The differences between the fuel types are:

Propane patio heaters

Patio heaters manufactured to run on propane will be calibrated to accept propane gas pressure of 37mbar.  For all year round use a patio heater running on propane is recommended.

Butane patio heaters

Patio heaters manufactured to run on butane will be calibrated to accept butane gas pressure of 28mbar.  A patio heater running on butane will operate in summer/autumn, for winter usage a propane patio heater is a better option.

Both Propane and Butane are LPG - Liquid Petroleum Gas.  Gas is drawn off from the cylinder and liquid converts back into gas.  With butane the liquid cools down causing the rate of change from liquid to gas to slow down.  This effect is particularly marked for a patio heater running on butane which will not convert from liquid to a gas below 0° C.  On a cold day or if the patio heater is turned on high, the liquid will become cold and deliver low amounts of gas. In most cases it will eventually freeze the butane regulator causing the heater to stop working.  Butane works best on low pressure domestic appliances indoors or on outdoor patio heaters in the summer and autumn months only. Propane will continue to turn from liquid to gas at much lower temperatures than butane and will yield full pressure of gas to the patio heater on very cold days.

Natural Gas patio heaters

Depending on the country of use a natural gas patio heater will be calibrated to run on the applicable mbar rating of the country.  Never connect a patio heater designed to run on either propane or butane to natural gas.  Before connecting a natural gas patio heater in the UK consult with a Corgi registered fitter.

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