Q.How can you tell the difference between a domestic or residential patio heater and commercial models?
A. The patio heater market has become cloudy as a few traders attempt to incorrectly label domestic or residential grade patio heaters as commercial grade. With a trained eye it is easy to spot domestic model but for those choosing a heater for the first time there are a few tips. A simple quick way is to check the patio heater's country of manufacture, if it's China with a low retail price ticket the clues are all there!!
Q. What makes a commercial grade?
A. It's the quality of the components, right down to the raw nuts and bolts. Most budget domestic models ship with steel nuts and bolts with fittings which corrode and weaken the supports over time. Every piece of the heater from the grade of stainless steel used on the pole, housing and support to the thermocouple is much higher grade on a commercial model. The difference in the components is not just slightly better but well over double the specification of a domestic patio heater. Commercial models are fitted with heavy duty (much wider than domestic) centre pole for added stability, a high grade stainless steel double skinned ultra quiet burner that is fully serviceable, heavy duty wheel assembly and triple safety features. Many of the budget domestic heaters can be seen leaning to the left or right, this is due to the low grade steel and pole used in manufacture that lacks the support needed and therefore can lean slightly. A good way to view the difference between domestic and commercial is to try using a domestic cooker in busy restaurant, give it 6 months and it will be wrecked but if placed in a home environment it would be fine.
Q. Both patio heaters look the similar?
A. Check out our domestic patio heater and our commercial model and you'll be hard pressed to see a visible difference in the images alone. From a distance they do appear similar but get up close and the differences will become clear. The finish on a commercial model will be higher grade, typically stainless steel domestic heaters have a shinny finish, on commercial the finish will be a brushed stainless steel finish - much easier to keep clean. Power coated commercial heaters will have a harden tough finish to resist scratching and stay looking good for longer. Although the commercial patio heaters are more substantial it's also the workings beneath the skin that highlight the many reasons for different grades. For light use in the garden, domestic patio heaters will not disappoint, for heavy duty use within a commercial environment a commercial heater is the only option. Typically they endure far more abuse, use and hard knocks than a cherished heater in a back garden, for this reason it is critical that are correctly labelled according to the build and components.
Q. What about the stainless steel?
A. Always check the burner on the heater is stainless steel and not steel plated or chrome finish. It's best to ask the question since many of the 15kw and 16kw patio heaters still fit tin burners that are polished to resemble stainless steel. These tin plated burners bend easily, small knocks or dings take their toll and of course they will corrode, the closer you are to the sea the quicker they will rust. High quality patio heaters are fitted with high quality stainless steel parts including the nuts and bolts to stay looking good and have a long life. Compare this patio heater burner below fitted to a budget unbranded stainless steel patio heater against our own domestic branded model BFX755, both have been used in the UK for 18 months:
| Budget Burner | BFX755 Burner |
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