would a patio heater cheer up your bleak bank holiday? from firepits to log burners, we put the outdoor warmers to the test - burner table top portable grill

After a look at the Sun, the weather changed --
Just in time for the bank holiday.
However, you can still taste outdoor cuisine by investing in one of the many new patio heaters on the market.
From fire pits to log burners and heaters with remote-controlled lighting effects, retailers report a surge in sales.
Alice Smeli tested the selection.
Hudson garden fireplace, Johnlewis Manor, £ 179. co. uk (below, left)
This is a heavy steel garden heater with a useful shelf underneath to store enough wood for a drink party. How is it heated?
Charcoal or wood
There are about 15 small logs a night.
Conclusion: it's easy to ignite, and I like it to get you excited from head to foot.
There was sparks in the fireplace so I wasn't worried about the kids.
Although it was too heavy for me to move around, my husband managed to do it.
We want to kidnap this.
8/10 The four elements of Gardeco, Chiminea, £ 159.
99 Hayes Garden Worldco. uk (above, right)
Chimineas is an outdoor clay oven originally used for cooking and keeping warm in Mexico.
This is now popular as an outdoor heater, above the waist.
The lid must be removed when the fire is lit. How is it heated?
Wood or charcoal
But don't overload.
You also have to heal or prepare the oven by burning a separate piece of wood on a layer of sand and letting it cool down.
This is to prevent the clay from cracking, but the process has to be repeated twice, which takes an afternoon.
Evaluation: chiminea, Yi Guang-
We put some small dry wood in a shabby place. up newspaper.
Just don't forget to remove the lid so the smoke can pour out.
I forgot it was a hint of my husband yelling.
8/10 Belmont independent creatures
Ethanol fireplace. 99, alfresia. co. uk (below, left)
An elegant, portable, black fireplace for easy internal or external use. How is it heated?
This is running on bio. ethanol fuel —
A clean and transparent fuel that generates heat but has no smell or smoke and I order it separately for £ 4 per liter (ekofuel. org).
Verdict: I poured about half a liter of fuel into the reservoir in the fireplace and lit it with a long match.
In the evening light, the flame was weak and it took 10 to 15 minutes to reach the peak.
It's warm, but it's never too hot.
It seems to be as economical as the logs, because we only burn it for a whole night on half a liter of fuel.
It was still eleven o'clock P. M. before we went to bed at night.
I also like the smoke here. free.
7/10 Athena LED plus gas patio heater, 34349.
99 garden furniture centerco. uk (above, right)This gas-
The burning pyramid heater produces intense flames protected by a screen.
The LED light is set behind the base, and the color of the LED light can be changed using the remote control. How is it heated?
A bottle of 15 kg Ding benzene (£73.
A bottle of new wine is 74 and 33.
Galle, Galle, 75. co. uk)
Within the base.
It is recommended not to leave it unattended.
Just turn on the gas and press the ignition button.
Conclusion: my six, eight and ten year olds are in awe of the burning flame up, and they like the remote control lights.
But we have to stand close enough to feel the heat.
Just a metre away, I was reaching out to get my heart.
Despite its heavy look, the wheels at the bottom mean we can move it easily.
It will be very convenient at the party.
8/10 square log burner, £ 34. 99, dunelm-mill.
Com and Dunelm Stores nationwide (below, left).
This steel log burner is a flat package that is inserted in place like a jigsaw puzzle.
It was surprisingly heavy and solid considering the budget price, and was raised from the floor so it wouldn't scorch. How is it heated?
Log or charcoal-pile them in.
Sentence: I lit 6 small logs in the burner.
Within 10 minutes, there was a heat.
My children were very excited and started toasting marshmallows.
But the downside is the amount of smoke.
It kept rumbling in my eyes.
6/10 Kamino By Morso, usually £ 1,569 and £ 999 from today, morso. co. uk (above, right)A robust (100 kg)cast-iron wood-
There is also a grill so you can cook on it.
It is above the top and the chimney drains the smoke from the top. How is it heated? Logs —
About 15 in a night.
Conclusion: This is by far the best to see, but, kid, is it expensive?
However, not only does it look good on the terrace, but it is easy to be illuminated and burned at night.
Despite the cold weather, we sat there at ten o'clock P. M.
The chimney took away all the smoke and it sent out a lot of heat.
Here you get what you pay.
9/10 volcano bar table, built in-
In the halogen furnace of alfresia 99. co. uk (below, left)
A round metal table above 3 feet with a built-in
Cylindrical halogen furnace as base.
This is surrounded by a grid that makes sure you don't get access to the direct heat. How is it heated?
There is a 5 m long wire on the power supply.
Conclusion: This provides warmth for light legs
And a place to have a drink!
9/10 desktop electric terrace heater, £ 189, fish pond. co. uk (above, right)
This small heater is set to a rattan base and placed on the table. How is it heated?
Plug in the power supply through a 3 m long lead.
Conclusion: families sit outside for dinner, which is common at the beginning of May.
When I turn on this neat little heater it feels like sitting in the sun and the warmth has enough radiation in every direction to make us feel comfortable from the waist up.
6/10 volcanic fire pit with copper-
Effect bowl, £ 64. 99, alfresia. co. uk (below)A copper-
Plating bowls on solid forging
Iron frame with metal mesh half
Moon firefighters who protect against Sparks. How is it heated?
Wood or charcoal
About 15 logs in the evening.
Within five minutes, there was a hot fire.
Conclusion: The only problem is the smoke, I will smell the smoke in my hair and clothes.