| In some areas right now, the weather is ideal | | | | campfire irons. |
| for sitting outside inthe evening -- the bugs | | | | |
| have gone and the sky is clear -- but | | | | ò Any open fire is a potential hazard. |
| thenights are chilly. Don't let the cool | | | | Keep any overhead sparksfrom tree branches or |
| evenings send you inside --extend your | | | | patio overheads, and be sure to teach |
| outdoor living season by heating your deck or | | | | childrenproper fire safety. |
| patio. | | | | |
| | | | ò Natural gas heaters are easy to use but |
| Different heaters are available for different | | | | are usually built inand, although bottled gas |
| needs andcircumstances. A heater will be | | | | may be purchased, are best limited to |
| powered by propane, natural gas,alcohol-gel, | | | | thoseareas that have natural gas service. |
| electricity, wood, or wood substitutes such | | | | |
| as charcoalor artificial logs. Depending on | | | | ò Propane heaters can be economical to |
| the size and the heat source, theymay warm | | | | operate. Depending onthe heat output level |
| only a small space or heat a party-size yard. | | | | you set, a standard propane tank can provide |
| | | | 10- |
| For all heating units to perform optimally, | | | | |
| they will need the rightlocation. The ideal | | | | 12 hours of heat. |
| site is a combination of walls or fences | | | | |
| (toradiate the heat back into your space) and | | | | ò Propane-powered "mushroom" or "umbrella" |
| overhead structures thatwill prevent the wind | | | | heaters (so calledbecause of their shape) are |
| from blowing directly through your | | | | the best choice for heating large areas. |
| selectedarea. | | | | |
| | | | They radiate warming rays from the top |
| Here are some tips for effective and safe | | | | cylinder and provide a comfortzone of 12 - 20 |
| use: | | | | feet in diameter. The propane tank is hidden |
| | | | in thebottom of the unit. It's a good idea to |
| ò Wood-burning fireplaces and fire pits | | | | put these units away when notin use as they |
| are generally the leastexpensive to buy and | | | | can be sensitive to the elements. Smaller |
| to operate. Check for zoning ordinances to | | | | tabletopunits are also available. |
| besure that you can burn wood on your | | | | |
| property. Some municipalitiesallow wood | | | | ò Although electric heat is usually the |
| burning in a small chimenea unit, but will | | | | most expensive, thereare a few electric |
| not approve abuilt-in or dug fire pit. | | | | heaters designed specifically for outdoor |
| Wood-burning units range from | | | | use. Besure that any heater that is left |
| smallcollapsible units on wheels for easy | | | | outside is rated as such. |
| portability to huge built-inconcrete | | | | |
| fireplaces. If you are permitted to burn | | | | With the wide selection of outdoor heating |
| wood, you are sureto find a unit to suit your | | | | devices available, you'resure to find one |
| needs! | | | | that right's for you. So heat up the night - |
| | | | and goright on enjoying your outdoor space. |
| ò If you have a pottery fireplace, or | | | | |
| chimenea, use itcautiously as these units are | | | | Debbie Rodgers owns and operates Paradise |
| lightweight and reasonably fragile. Tokeep | | | | Porch, and is dedicated tohelping people |
| the fire from getting hot enough to break the | | | | create outdoor living spaces that nurture and |
| chimenea, it'sbest to use kindling-size wood. | | | | enrichthem. Visit her on the web at and get |
| | | | a freereport on "Eight easy ways to create |
| ò Many wood-burning units have optional | | | | privacy in your outdoor space". |
| cooking grills so yourfire can do double duty | | | | |
| warming your toes and your tummy. Try | | | | Mail to debbie@... |
| thisyummy "pizza" recipe, cooked up in | | | | |