April 14th, 2010 | in
Camping |
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Portable outdoor heaters are a useful addition to any venue where cooler temperatures are expected. They operate on either electricity or gas and can be carried or rolled to wherever they are needed. To determine the best type of portable heater to own, several things need to be taken into consideration such as the fuel the heater uses, the type and style of the heater, and the size of the unit.
The first decision to be made is the type of fuel to be used. For instance, in a camping scenario, a portable electric heater would not be the best option since electricity is probably not an available commodity. Each type of fuel has its own strengths and weaknesses, but a portable gas heater will usually work best. Propane is the ultimate in portability since it comes in self-contained gas bottles. The bottle is simply attached to the heater which is then immediately ready to run. A propane heater is also very powerful in comparison to electric heaters. Propane, however, is more expensive than electricity per BTU. Furthermore, an electric heater will never run out of fuel to make heat as long as it remains plugged in. The downside of using an electric heater is that a powerful model often requires special thick extension cords and dedicated home circuits to prevent a possible electrical fire, which is a non issue for gas heaters.
The second consideration when buying portable space heaters is the application of the device. For instance, a heater which is meant for use by mechanics in freezing weather may not be the most appropriate option for an outdoor party. Portable heaters come in many shapes and styles and can suit the needs of almost any outdoor heating application. There are portable heaters which look like lamps that can serve as the decorative centerpiece of an outdoor table for a cozy evening get-together. There are also tall, tower-like heaters for making entire patios comfortably warm in cool weather. There are also specially designed camping heaters that are perfect for your outdoor adventures. Finally, of course, there are purely utilitarian heaters for mechanics and contractors. It is the customer’s choice as to the application.
The third and final consideration is the size of the outdoor portable heater. A tabletop heater is not going to provide heat enough to cover an outdoor party just as a powerful pole-type heater is unnecessary for something the size of a card table. An oversize heater will cost more and waste the heat it provides to the environment while an undersized heater will leave guests chilly. It is therefore up to the consumer to select the most appropriate size for the desired application.
In all, there are several factors to consider when purchasing a portable outdoor heater. These versatile sources of comfort are an essential for any cooler outdoor setting and will serve well to make outdoor entertaining a breeze.
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Tags: outdoor portable heater, portable electric heater, portable gas heater, portable heater, portable heaters, portable space heaters
April 13th, 2010 | in
Camping |
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Outdoor electric heaters are a perfect way to make an otherwise unusable space warm enough to utilize during the colder months. There are two main types of outdoor electric heaters – fixed and portable. Each of these types has its own advantage
Fixed outdoor heaters can be very powerful as they are wired by a professional electrician directly into a structure’s power system. They can be placed in the ceilings of patios and gazebos to provide a comfortable environment in inclement weather. These types of units are usually rated at over 1000 watts and provide a substantial amount of heat over a large area using infrared rays. These units are common in places like ice rinks, ER receiving areas, and venues which are open in cold weather but require patrons to wait outside. These models often include dimmers to adjust the amount of heat output for the perfect outdoor experience.
Portable electric heaters have their own uses. There are two types of heaters to look for if you are considering purchasing a portable electric heater: fancy and utilitarian. The utilitarian variety are extremely helpful for working on automobiles in the winter months or for providing warmth in barns, stables, and other semi-outdoor environments. The advantage of portability allows the user to direct warmth where it is needed most. Portable models are usually smaller than fixed models and enjoy the benefit of tucking neatly into a closet when not needed.
Fancier portable models are often used as an electric patio heater to be the centerpiece of outdoor tables and provide gentle heat to warm a game of cards on a cool spring evening. These models are designed to look less like a heater and more like something else – typically a lamp. Some models are built into lamps and serve both purposes. There are also semi-portable versions of these models which can be attached to patio tables for additional stability. These types of heaters are perfect for outdoor entertaining since they can be switched on at arm’s reach from the table – the ultimate in convenience.
Portable electric heaters are usually more cost effective than built-in models. These heaters, however, will require more maintenance and know-how. A built-in electric space heater can simply be flicked on with a switch, but a portable one will need an extension cord. Heaters are inherently power-hungry devices, so heavy-gauge cords must be used to prevent a possible electrical fire. The user must also pay attention to the current rating of the house circuit to avoid tripping a breaker or blowing a fuse. Furthermore, electricity and water make a dangerous combination. Portable heaters should be kept well away from sinks, tubs, hoses, and other wet areas unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer.
In conclusion, an outdoor electric heater is the ultimate solution for convenient and clean heat. These heaters will serve well to increase the utility of many types of outdoor areas in cold weather for only a small addition to your electric bill.
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Tags: electric heater, electric heaters, electric patio heater, electric space heater, portable electric heater, portable electric heaters
March 15th, 2010 | in
Camping |
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Are you one of those people who are always cold no matter what the temperature is like? Do you go camping and sleep wrapped up in thick camping sleeping bags, while your tent mate has their sleeping bag wide open and is still complaining about the heat? Well, if you are indeed this person, what you need is a portable electric heater. I would recommend getting an electric heater if you have power available in your campground. They are the safest and most efficient type of heaters out there. If you do not have access to power, however, a simple gas heater will do fine. In this article, I will describe two types of popular portable electric heaters and I hope it will motivate you to get one for your next camping trip.
Portable Electric Space Heater
Space heaters are designed to heat a small room or specific area of one room, so they are perfect for camping. There are two types of electric space heaters: convection and radiant.
Convection space heaters operate by blowing air over a hot surface. Because of this, they are designed for heating up a regular sized room. They are rather large, so if you are camping in a tent, they may not be right for you. They are perfect for heating up a motorhome or trailer, though. These range in price from about 30 dollars to about 100 dollars. Definitely not a wallet buster.
If you are a tent camper, you will need to get a radiant space heater. These heaters are smaller than convection heaters and are designed for aiming the heat in one direction. It’s perfect if it is only you who needs the extra heat.
Portable Electric Infrared Heater
Infrared heaters are regarded as the best portable electric heater. Infrared light is invisible to our eyes, but we can still absorb it through our clothing and skin. Think of it like sunlight but without the light. They are the most energy efficient of all the types of heaters and are available both as convection heaters and radiant heaters.
You can buy some really good personal infrared heaters for about 30 dollars, so if you are the only person who needs heat, these are definitely the way to go.
The only problem with portable electric heaters is that they get really hot to the touch. This could pose a problem if you have small children or pets. You don’t want someone to accidently lay their hand on it and get burned. They also pose a fire hazard if you use them in a tent. If you are tent camping, I would be very careful when setting up these heaters. If the tent wall brushes up against them, it could start a fire. What I did is I built a little wooden box with one side open. Not only did this act as a barrier protecting the tent wall, but it also directed more heat towards my wife. So it was a win-win.
These camping heaters are perfect for when you are stuck camping with someone who is prone to the cold. Just remember to stay safe if you are tent camping. Now pack up your heater and portable stove and enjoy your camping trip!
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Tags: best portable electric heater, portable electric heater, portable electric heaters, portable electric infrared heater, portable electric space heater, portable electric space heaters
