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Sunjoy 47,000 BTU Avanti Outdoor Portable Propane Heater for Patio and Garden with Safety Auto Shut Off Valve and Wheels, Black…
Purchase options and add-ons
Brand | Sunjoy |
Special Feature | Portable, Wheels |
Color | Black |
Form Factor | Dish |
Indoor/Outdoor Usage | Outdoor |
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About this item
- Durable and sturdy: This patio heater features a rust-resistant powder-coated steel frame with a beautiful matte black color. With its efficient heat conversion, it is highly resistant to melting and burning and designed for long term use.
- High heat output: This outdoor gas heater has 47,000 BTUs of heat output and provides generous warmth to the surrounding area. Ideal for outdoor patios.
- Easy ignition: With a simple push of the igniter button, you will have all the heat you need for your outdoor gathering. Adjust to your preference between the low and high heat settings with the variable-heat control knob.
- Safety shut-off: Built with an automatic safety tip-over valve, the heater automatically shuts off if the unit is accidentally tipped or knocked over.
- Easy to move: Built-in wheels make this heater portable and easy to relocate or adjust.
- Item dimensions: 32.7 in. L x 32.7 in. W x 90.6 in. H
- Item weight: 28.9 lbs.
- Contents of the box: 1 x Patio Heater 1 x Paper Manual 1 x Hardware Pack
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This Item Sunjoy 47,000 BTU Avanti Outdoor Portable Propane Heater for Patio and Garden with Safety Auto Shut Off Valve and Wheels, Black… | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | -12% $169.00$169.00 List: $192.00 | -28% $252.92$252.92 List: $349.00 | -27% $116.99$116.99 Typical: $159.99 | $161.60$161.60 | $169.99$169.99 | $179.99$179.99 |
Delivery | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 8 | Get it as soon as Wednesday, Apr 3 | — | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 | — | Get it as soon as Monday, Apr 1 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Heat output | 4.1 | — | 3.9 | 4.4 | 4.1 | 4.3 |
Easy to assemble | 4.1 | — | 4.1 | 4.4 | 5.0 | 4.2 |
Heat distribution | 3.9 | — | 3.8 | 4.3 | 3.7 | — |
Value for money | 3.8 | — | 4.1 | 3.6 | — | 4.5 |
Maneuverability | 4.1 | — | — | 4.4 | — | 4.4 |
Sold By | Amazon.com | Amazon.com | Hykolity | Amazon.com | Giantex | Amazon.com |
power source | Gas Powered | Gas Powered | Propane | Propane | Gas Powered | Propane |
heating method | Radiant | Radiant | Radiant | Radiant | Radiant | Radiant |
heating coverage | — | feet | 200 square feet | 18-foot | 135.2 sq.ft. | 20-foot |
heat output | 47000 btus | 40000 btus | 50000 btus | 48000 btus | — | 50000 btus |
weight | 28.9 pounds | 39 pounds | 40 pounds | 33.07 pounds | 15 kilograms | 38.8 pounds |
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From the manufacturer
Sunjoy 47,000 BTU Avanti Outdoor Portable Propane Heater for Patio and Garden with Safety Auto Shut Off Valve and Wheels, Black
Comfortably enjoy your backyard all year long with the Avanti propane powered patio heater. With 47,000 BTUs the range of warmth is generous to ensure you can focus on your outdoor activity rather than the cold. The built-in wheels allow easy movement of the heater to facilitate relocation. The simple push-button ignition control starts the heat in an instant and the safety auto shut off tilt valve turns it off if the unit is accidentally tipped or knocked over.
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Adjustment knob for easy control Variable-heat control knob and start button ignition make the unit easy to use. Adjust the heat of the burner to meet various warmth needs. |
Easy to move Built-in wheels make this heater portable and easy to relocate or adjust. |
Standard fittings With standard fittings for a common 20-pound propane gas cylinder (not included), this heater is easy to set up and use. |
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Stainless steel burner The rugged stainless-steel heat-focusing reflector radiates comfort and warmth across a wide area, keeping your outdoor seating area comfortable and enjoyable. |
Anchoring plates included Features 3 anchoring plates to easily mount the heater to the ground or your outdoor patio. |
Safety self shut-off system For added safety and security, this patio heater features a shut-off tilt valve that turns the heater off automatically if it tips over. |
Specifications:
● Matte black rust-resistant powder-coated steel frame
● Simple push-button ignition with heat control knob
● Safety auto shut off tilt valve
● Fits standard 20-lb. propane gas cylinder (not included)
● Built-in wheels for easy movement
● Anchoring plates included for mounting to ground or patio
● 47,000 BTU heat output
● Easy to assemble
Product guides and documents
Product information
Brand | Sunjoy |
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Special Feature | Portable, Wheels |
Color | Black |
Form Factor | Dish |
Indoor/Outdoor Usage | Outdoor |
Product Dimensions | 32.7"D x 32.7"W x 90.6"H |
Recommended Uses For Product | Garden, Outdoor, Patio |
Mounting Type | Floor Mount |
Room Type | Living Room, Patio |
Burner type | Radiant |
Item Weight | 28.9 pounds |
Manufacturer | Sunjoy |
ASIN | B085YCCLK3 |
Country of Origin | China |
Item model number | Sunjoy |
Customer Reviews |
4.5 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #107,979 in Patio, Lawn & Garden (See Top 100 in Patio, Lawn & Garden) #139 in Outdoor Heaters |
Assembly required | Yes |
Number of pieces | 1 |
Batteries required | No |
Included Components | 1 Heater |
Warranty & Support
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Videos
Videos for this product
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A Quick Look at this Propane Patio Heater
Just Jules Reviews
Videos for this product
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Outdoor Portable Propane Patio Heater
SunNest Services LLC
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Product Description
Comfortably enjoy your backyard all year long with the Avanti propane powered patio heater. With 47,000 BTUs the range of warmth is generous to ensure you can focus on your outdoor activity rather than the cold. The built-in wheels allow easy movement of the heater to facilitate relocation. The simple push-button ignition control starts the heat in an instant and the safety auto shut off tilt valve turns it off if the unit is accidentally tipped or knocked over.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the performance, ease of assembly, and value of the space heater. They mention that it works well, it's a terrific product, and that it'll work for temps over 40. They also like the appearance. That said, some complain about the lighting issues and missing parts. Opinions are mixed on quality and weight.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the performance of the space heater. They mention that it works reasonably well, the heater itself works well, and it works great as a barn heater. It works for temps over 40 without strong winds. Some say that it's a terrific product and a great value for the price.
"...Looks fabulous... like I paid 3x-4x what I did- Works great! Lighter and control knob work easily and immediately light/adjust the flame-..." Read more
"This heater works great." Read more
"The heater works great, puts out a lot of heat for sure...." Read more
"...it up but UPS would not pick it up so I still have it and it’s not functional. Don’t know what to do with it !have any ideas??..." Read more
Customers find the space heater easy to assemble, with clear directions and no excessive effort required. They also say the instructions are fine, and everything is well laid out.
"...The instructions were actually pretty good... the pictures and directions clear and I didn't have to think to hard about what they meant or which..." Read more
"...Easy to put together and use. Great price point!!" Read more
"...Here's where you need to pay attention. The instructions are fairly straightforward, but some of the components are a bit delicate...." Read more
"...i unpacked and assembled it today. instructions were good, assembly was easy and uncomplicated. no parts missing, all the holes lined up perfectly...." Read more
Customers appreciate the value of the space heater. They mention that it works perfectly and is good quality for the price.
"...Even knowing the above I'd still buy this and it's still a great value...." Read more
"...Easy to put together and use. Great price point!!" Read more
"...The price is pretty reasonable for the heat output and convenience this little heater provides.So, there you have it!..." Read more
"The cost was just right" Read more
Customers like the appearance of the space heater. For example, they mention it looks good, is pretty, and does the job without looking cheap. Some appreciate the bronze finish, while others love the powder-coated finish. Overall, most are happy with the product's appearance.
"...Well, the "silver" one looked really nice, like it would match our patio, and with free returns... I took a gamble and ordered two units...." Read more
"...Design-wise, it's sleek and modern. The portability is a plus, allowing you to move it around with ease...." Read more
"...no parts missing, all the holes lined up perfectly. it looks like a very nice unit, especially for the price...." Read more
"...The heaters are beautiful and I bought covers to keep them that way. I'm totally satisfied with my purchase!" Read more
Customers are mixed about the quality of the space heater. Some mention that the heat it puts out is amazing, and it keeps them warm. They say it's built pretty well, and the parts are of good quality. However, others say that the mesh is not hardy enough to last more than one season, and that the base had a dent and the top was bent. They also mention that there was a faulty thermocouple and that it doesn't stand straight.
"We love our patio heater! It’s so warm that I often have to back away from it instead of sit directly under it...." Read more
"...that those 4 pieces are the most delicate pieces of the unit, scratch VERY easily, and feel like they would bend really easily until the whole thing..." Read more
"...First off, this heater is a powerhouse! It throws out a lot of heat, perfect for those cooler evenings on the patio or in the garden...." Read more
"...The heat output is great! I would recommend getting the reflector shield, a cover and extra tank...." Read more
Customers are mixed about the weight of the space heater. Some mention it's very light and not sturdy, while others say that there is no weight in its base, making it pretty top heavy. They also mention the parts are thin, cheap metal that bend easily.
"...Light enough to carry (without propane tank) and easy to wheel (with propane tank)--- CONS ----..." Read more
"Very top heavy even with full tank. Had to anchor into concrete." Read more
"...Assembly was very easy and everything was well laid out. The unit is fairly light (without the propane tank) and easy to move around...." Read more
"...My concern with this one is it's stability. It seems pretty top heavy and if your 20lb propane tank isn't full it wouldn't take much of a breeze to..." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the lighting of the space heater. They mention that it doesn't stay lit for more than 5 minutes, it turns off suddenly, and the flame is sickly yellow.
"...I started the heater, no problem. The first time it was burning off the protective oils which I expected. The heat it threw off was minimal...." Read more
"...I tried repeatedly, and out of twenty tries, it only stayed on twice. Over the next few days and tried numerous times...." Read more
"...It does not stay on when I release the knob. I contacted the seller, but they don't even respond...." Read more
"Not sure if I’m doing something wrong, but it won’t stay lit until it’s been on a while. Had to rig up something to keep the button pressed." Read more
Customers are disappointed with the missing parts in the space heater. They mention that some screws and nuts were missing, and some welded-on nuts were also missing. Some customers also mention that the parts were basic nuts and bolts, and that they didn't have the proper threads.
"...would have given this 5 stars if all the parts were there - but 6 nuts were missing...." Read more
"...It seems like some welded-on nuts were missing on the underside of base.)..." Read more
"Looks really nice. Husband put it together but it was missing some nuts and bolts, so we went to the hardware store and purchased more...." Read more
"...as one of the wheels was broken and a few bolts and nuts required for assembly were missing...." Read more
Reviews with images
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The picture attached show the new unit working just fine.
Another UPDATE: November 2021 - As you can see by my original and updated review that the company, Sunjoy, really stepped up to the plate. They made it a point to contact me, confirm the problem and sent me a new top to the heater. Going to install it and will add the progress but I have to update my rating which I have done. If it works or not, I will mention it here.
UPDATE: I finally found a contact for Sunjoy products and they went out of their way to try to remedy the problem. Through a few talks and a video and a couple of photos, they are sending me a new part to fix this flame problem discussed below.We lost our instruction Manuel which really didn’t have much info so I sent a photo of the ID sticker on the torch body. For all the work they were doing, I pushed up the rating by one star. If I receive the part and it works, I will definitely be giving them five stars.
I received this in a timely manner and assembled it per the instructions. I set it up on our rear deck and waited for the cold weather. We live in New England so the cold was coming soon after. I started the heater, no problem. The first time it was burning off the protective oils which I expected. The heat it threw off was minimal. Waited until evening to show my wife and daughter how to operate the heater. It was windy so we turned it down to low because the flame was blowing outside the burner and searing the protective shield. Still no heat. Left it on for 5 +/- minutes to try to get the heat but nothing. Would increase and decrease the flame contingent on the wind. Still no real heat. I will try again and update my review if more successful. I see a lot of positive reviews but this isn’t working for me.
Reviewed in the United States on November 18, 2021
The picture attached show the new unit working just fine.
Another UPDATE: November 2021 - As you can see by my original and updated review that the company, Sunjoy, really stepped up to the plate. They made it a point to contact me, confirm the problem and sent me a new top to the heater. Going to install it and will add the progress but I have to update my rating which I have done. If it works or not, I will mention it here.
UPDATE: I finally found a contact for Sunjoy products and they went out of their way to try to remedy the problem. Through a few talks and a video and a couple of photos, they are sending me a new part to fix this flame problem discussed below.We lost our instruction Manuel which really didn’t have much info so I sent a photo of the ID sticker on the torch body. For all the work they were doing, I pushed up the rating by one star. If I receive the part and it works, I will definitely be giving them five stars.
I received this in a timely manner and assembled it per the instructions. I set it up on our rear deck and waited for the cold weather. We live in New England so the cold was coming soon after. I started the heater, no problem. The first time it was burning off the protective oils which I expected. The heat it threw off was minimal. Waited until evening to show my wife and daughter how to operate the heater. It was windy so we turned it down to low because the flame was blowing outside the burner and searing the protective shield. Still no heat. Left it on for 5 +/- minutes to try to get the heat but nothing. Would increase and decrease the flame contingent on the wind. Still no real heat. I will try again and update my review if more successful. I see a lot of positive reviews but this isn’t working for me.
First off, this heater is a powerhouse! It throws out a lot of heat, perfect for those cooler evenings on the patio or in the garden. You can easily adjust the output, making it suitable for any occasion.
Design-wise, it's sleek and modern. The portability is a plus, allowing you to move it around with ease. It’s been a real game-changer for my outdoor gatherings, keeping everyone cozy no matter the weather.
Now for the slight hiccup – assembly. Here's where you need to pay attention. The instructions are fairly straightforward, but some of the components are a bit delicate. A little patience goes a long way to prevent any accidental damage.
When it comes to value, even with the delicate assembly, it's worth it. The price is pretty reasonable for the heat output and convenience this little heater provides.
So, there you have it! A powerful, portable outdoor heater with just a bit of an assembly hurdle. If you can handle that, you're in for a toasty treat! All in all, it’s a 4-star heater that will surely light up your nights.
At first I was sure it was either a) super low quality, or b) a mistake. They had a lot of pictures, but only two reviews (both 5-star) and nothing written. For $110, free next-day shipping, AND free returns... what was I really going to get. Well, the "silver" one looked really nice, like it would match our patio, and with free returns... I took a gamble and ordered two units.
These were delivered in one-day as promised. I didn't really know what to expect... I mean would the boxes be huge? The boxes were medium-large... maybe around 18"x18"x36" (smaller than I expected) and 35-ish lbs. The boxes were in good shape and carefully taped. I opened them up and was pleasantly surprised; the units were very well and professionally packaged. Each set of parts was carefully separated and protected to avoid damage, and yet they had puzzled them together to fit so nicely. The best part was there was almost no styrofoam (I think there was one small ring of it)... it was almost all cardboard and plastic wrap or bags. While I was happy in the lack of styrofoam I realized as I carefully removed the pieces that I had nothing to lay them on (maybe get a work blanket ready ahead of time).
The screws and nuts were all separated into sections on one of those blister packs, which made it very easy and convenient (maybe only 5 sections of them). There was also a separate bag with those silver tie-down tabs you see at the bottom of the unit in the pictures, but I opted not to install those for now. There was also a basic wrench and a strap for securing the unit. The wrench was all I needed for 95% of putting it together, but I did need a medium phillips head screwdriver at one point so have that ready. I didn't immediately see what to do with that strap in the directions but I'll check again later.
The unit is not that heavy. Once put together (without the gas tank in it) I could easily lean it over and pick it up in my arms and carry it across my property, which was a big easier than wheeling it on cobblestones. The directions say it's around 28 lbs, which feels about right. That said, there are portions of the assembly which are a bit difficult on your own. The outer shell is the heaviest single piece, and lifting that up and sliding it down was a little awkward. The unit is quite tall (7 or so feet maybe?) and some portions near the end where you have to lift up and put the crown on and then hold it while screwing the screws in was really hard by myself. If you're not so tall/strong/handy, I recommend you have a second person to help you which will make the entire assembly process much easier.
Assembly took me about 30 minutes (maybe a bit longer because my young children were "helping" me). The instructions were actually pretty good... the pictures and directions clear and I didn't have to think to hard about what they meant or which screws to put where.
The single most time-consuming part is that wide heat-shield at the top. That thing is made up of 4 pieces (3 partial-rings and the center circle) and each piece is covered, both sides, in that blue sealing plastic/tape stuff that you have to peel off that they cover it with to protect it from scratches. It was a bit of a pain to pull all that stuff off and you should consider doing that part up-front. Beware that those 4 pieces are the most delicate pieces of the unit, scratch VERY easily, and feel like they would bend really easily until the whole thing is assembled, so handle them carefully and put them down somewhere safe until you're ready to put them on. It was also a bit tricky to feed the hose through the pole because of the regulator (make sure you remove all the pre-installed screws from the center-pole first).
Once assembled, I added in the tank and lit the thing up. The directions said to hold down the gas knob in the "High" position for 30 seconds and then press the button. I held it down for 15 seconds... pressed the button... and a fireball shot out of the thing. I tried lighting it a few times, and every time it lit on the first button-push without holding that gas knob down for more than a second.
--- First Impressions ---
This thing looks GREAT. In the pictures the "silver" unit appeared light gray and happily that's exactly what it is, matching very well with our gray cobblestone. If you ARE expecting silver, you'll be disappointed (this is NOT a stainless steel finish, except for the top). The unit, though not overly heavy in weight, looks and feels very high quality. The metal itself is reasonably heavy-duty (except for the top), and the finish is fabulous. As I said earlier it lit up right away, and the burn itself was even and strong.
The listing and questions talk about needing a 20 lbs propane tank. All I had was a 15 lbs one (that is what Blue Rhino offers standard now). It didn't matter... the flame and heat on high was heavy duty. On high, the entire top of the grating around the flame glowed bright red and we could feel the heat from several feet away. The stainless steel grill will be discolored from the heat after first use, but this is to be expected with any unit like this. The big question is going to be how well it heats up a surrounding area in the cold, and unfortunately we won't know the answer to that until the winter. I'm hoping the answer is yes because this otherwise looks and feels like a professional-level device.
Now my only issue with it is that the top of it looks slightly tilted (the pole and head). Not a lot mind you, but I could see it and my wife said I needed to straighten it out a bit. I'm not sure if I didn't install something quite right or maybe the holes were mis-aligned, but I'll check it out and hopefully it just needs a slight adjustment.
--- PROS ---
- Looks fabulous... like I paid 3x-4x what I did
- Works great! Lighter and control knob work easily and immediately light/adjust the flame
- Very well packaged (and no styrofoam!)
- Clear assembly directions with only about 10 pretty straight-forward steps
- Light enough to carry (without propane tank) and easy to wheel (with propane tank)
--- CONS ---
- Initial install resulted in the crown being ever-so-slightly tilted. This could have been my fault and I'll post an update after I take a look at it and attempt to adjust.
--- 1 Week Update ---
So I've had this for a week now and have played around with it a bit, tried starting it up several times, and took a look at my "tilt" issue. Here is what I've found:
- The tilt issue isn't an issue. The head piece is held on by a few screws which weren't all that tight, and there was some wiggle room. By putting a little pressure with my hands I was able to straighten it out, and if I tighten those screws, which I haven't yet, I think I'll be able to stop it from moving.
- The thing still lights up immediately, which is great. It's still a very hot August here so I have no idea how much heat this throws. I've tried standing a few feet away and, on high, I can definitely feel it (even above the already hot weather air) 4 feet away, which would give it a 16 sqft area. If it were cold I "think" I'd feel it more and likely I can place the two units I purchased 8-10 feet apart and create a nicely sized heat-zone.
- Unfortunately and by accident I found the main flaw in this unit:
I had to take the propane tank out to use in my grill (I had a half-cooked chicken emergency). Unlike the other units that have doors that open, this thing has a single top piece that slides up. It's VERY awkward to slide it up, unhook the gas, get the 32 lbs propane tank out, and then slide the top back down (it would have been easy with two people, but we all know I didn't do that!). As I was sliding the top down, I kind of stumbled forward, and the entire tower started toppling over. It took every ounce of my manly-man strength to catch it mid-fall and stop it from crashing to the ground, and I came away with some abrasions. It all happened so fast I am not even clear on exactly how it all happened, but this is how I realized the problem.
The problem is the unit is light. I said earlier I could easily pick it up in both arms and carry it across my yard, but unfortunately, being light isn't a good think when you're a 7 foot tall tower. Without a propane tank in it even a slight push could topple the entire unit on its head, and it doesn't feel like the unit would fare well in that event. I put the propane tank back in it (carefully) and tried pushing on it a bit to get a sense for how it felt. So the tower, with a full tank of propane in it, weighs around 60 lbs (a completely full 15lbs propane tank weighs about 32lbs (15 propane + 17lbs tank) and the unit weighs 28 lbs). At this weight the unit is reasonably sturdy and doesn't feel like a light knock, or even a medium level wind, will knock it over. BUT, the propane itself is 25% of the weight of the unit and as you begin burning it away pound by pound the risk level is going to increase. The LAST thing you want is a tower blowing fire out the top to topple over.
I looked online and many of the more expensive units have weighted bases... where the bottom of the base is designed so you can add sand to weigh the thing down. Weight = anti-tipping sturdiness. This unit doesn't have such a feature. I could probably find some extra room under that hood and add a sandbag (under the propane tank maybe?), but it's not explicitly designed for such. Further, now that I am examining the structure more carefully, it's not all that sturdy to begin with. The base is sturdy enough to hold the propane, the bars you add on coming off it add some structural support, and the pole in the center holding up the head/crown feels VERY sturdy... but still this thing was not meant to be tested in heavy winds/weather and I'd be a little worried if kids were running around and potentially knocking into it if it wasn't secured.
Now... this is all my fault. The manufacturers added three clamp-down mechanisms by which I'm supposed to secure the base to a floor or the ground, and I did NOT put those on the unit (even though the instructions told me to). It also came with this strap which you can put around it and attach to something else (a railing?) to give it some stability... and I didn't use that either. So... I am an idiot, yes. I am telling you I'm an idiot so you're aware that you're likely going to want/need to secure this somehow. With clamp downs I think this would be great and don't think this thing would fall over... even in a medium-strong wind, but I'd still recommend you get a heavy-duty cover for the thing.
After heavy consideration, I am leaving this at 5-stars. Even knowing the above I'd still buy this and it's still a great value. Had I followed their safety instructions it would have been fine, and I think as long as I'm reasonable in how sturdy it is and take some simple precautions (which I should probably be taking anyways), it will be a winner.
--- 1 Month Update ---
We had a big wind storm the other day (I'm in New Jersey). The wind took down two large potted palms, a potted tree, and a large metal trellis covered in wisteria that had spike anchors in the ground. Yet I am happy to report this heater remainder standing. We used it that next night and it started up on the first button push, and its appearance (despite being outside and open to the elements without a cover) remains the exact same as on day-1.
Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2020
At first I was sure it was either a) super low quality, or b) a mistake. They had a lot of pictures, but only two reviews (both 5-star) and nothing written. For $110, free next-day shipping, AND free returns... what was I really going to get. Well, the "silver" one looked really nice, like it would match our patio, and with free returns... I took a gamble and ordered two units.
These were delivered in one-day as promised. I didn't really know what to expect... I mean would the boxes be huge? The boxes were medium-large... maybe around 18"x18"x36" (smaller than I expected) and 35-ish lbs. The boxes were in good shape and carefully taped. I opened them up and was pleasantly surprised; the units were very well and professionally packaged. Each set of parts was carefully separated and protected to avoid damage, and yet they had puzzled them together to fit so nicely. The best part was there was almost no styrofoam (I think there was one small ring of it)... it was almost all cardboard and plastic wrap or bags. While I was happy in the lack of styrofoam I realized as I carefully removed the pieces that I had nothing to lay them on (maybe get a work blanket ready ahead of time).
The screws and nuts were all separated into sections on one of those blister packs, which made it very easy and convenient (maybe only 5 sections of them). There was also a separate bag with those silver tie-down tabs you see at the bottom of the unit in the pictures, but I opted not to install those for now. There was also a basic wrench and a strap for securing the unit. The wrench was all I needed for 95% of putting it together, but I did need a medium phillips head screwdriver at one point so have that ready. I didn't immediately see what to do with that strap in the directions but I'll check again later.
The unit is not that heavy. Once put together (without the gas tank in it) I could easily lean it over and pick it up in my arms and carry it across my property, which was a big easier than wheeling it on cobblestones. The directions say it's around 28 lbs, which feels about right. That said, there are portions of the assembly which are a bit difficult on your own. The outer shell is the heaviest single piece, and lifting that up and sliding it down was a little awkward. The unit is quite tall (7 or so feet maybe?) and some portions near the end where you have to lift up and put the crown on and then hold it while screwing the screws in was really hard by myself. If you're not so tall/strong/handy, I recommend you have a second person to help you which will make the entire assembly process much easier.
Assembly took me about 30 minutes (maybe a bit longer because my young children were "helping" me). The instructions were actually pretty good... the pictures and directions clear and I didn't have to think to hard about what they meant or which screws to put where.
The single most time-consuming part is that wide heat-shield at the top. That thing is made up of 4 pieces (3 partial-rings and the center circle) and each piece is covered, both sides, in that blue sealing plastic/tape stuff that you have to peel off that they cover it with to protect it from scratches. It was a bit of a pain to pull all that stuff off and you should consider doing that part up-front. Beware that those 4 pieces are the most delicate pieces of the unit, scratch VERY easily, and feel like they would bend really easily until the whole thing is assembled, so handle them carefully and put them down somewhere safe until you're ready to put them on. It was also a bit tricky to feed the hose through the pole because of the regulator (make sure you remove all the pre-installed screws from the center-pole first).
Once assembled, I added in the tank and lit the thing up. The directions said to hold down the gas knob in the "High" position for 30 seconds and then press the button. I held it down for 15 seconds... pressed the button... and a fireball shot out of the thing. I tried lighting it a few times, and every time it lit on the first button-push without holding that gas knob down for more than a second.
--- First Impressions ---
This thing looks GREAT. In the pictures the "silver" unit appeared light gray and happily that's exactly what it is, matching very well with our gray cobblestone. If you ARE expecting silver, you'll be disappointed (this is NOT a stainless steel finish, except for the top). The unit, though not overly heavy in weight, looks and feels very high quality. The metal itself is reasonably heavy-duty (except for the top), and the finish is fabulous. As I said earlier it lit up right away, and the burn itself was even and strong.
The listing and questions talk about needing a 20 lbs propane tank. All I had was a 15 lbs one (that is what Blue Rhino offers standard now). It didn't matter... the flame and heat on high was heavy duty. On high, the entire top of the grating around the flame glowed bright red and we could feel the heat from several feet away. The stainless steel grill will be discolored from the heat after first use, but this is to be expected with any unit like this. The big question is going to be how well it heats up a surrounding area in the cold, and unfortunately we won't know the answer to that until the winter. I'm hoping the answer is yes because this otherwise looks and feels like a professional-level device.
Now my only issue with it is that the top of it looks slightly tilted (the pole and head). Not a lot mind you, but I could see it and my wife said I needed to straighten it out a bit. I'm not sure if I didn't install something quite right or maybe the holes were mis-aligned, but I'll check it out and hopefully it just needs a slight adjustment.
--- PROS ---
- Looks fabulous... like I paid 3x-4x what I did
- Works great! Lighter and control knob work easily and immediately light/adjust the flame
- Very well packaged (and no styrofoam!)
- Clear assembly directions with only about 10 pretty straight-forward steps
- Light enough to carry (without propane tank) and easy to wheel (with propane tank)
--- CONS ---
- Initial install resulted in the crown being ever-so-slightly tilted. This could have been my fault and I'll post an update after I take a look at it and attempt to adjust.
--- 1 Week Update ---
So I've had this for a week now and have played around with it a bit, tried starting it up several times, and took a look at my "tilt" issue. Here is what I've found:
- The tilt issue isn't an issue. The head piece is held on by a few screws which weren't all that tight, and there was some wiggle room. By putting a little pressure with my hands I was able to straighten it out, and if I tighten those screws, which I haven't yet, I think I'll be able to stop it from moving.
- The thing still lights up immediately, which is great. It's still a very hot August here so I have no idea how much heat this throws. I've tried standing a few feet away and, on high, I can definitely feel it (even above the already hot weather air) 4 feet away, which would give it a 16 sqft area. If it were cold I "think" I'd feel it more and likely I can place the two units I purchased 8-10 feet apart and create a nicely sized heat-zone.
- Unfortunately and by accident I found the main flaw in this unit:
I had to take the propane tank out to use in my grill (I had a half-cooked chicken emergency). Unlike the other units that have doors that open, this thing has a single top piece that slides up. It's VERY awkward to slide it up, unhook the gas, get the 32 lbs propane tank out, and then slide the top back down (it would have been easy with two people, but we all know I didn't do that!). As I was sliding the top down, I kind of stumbled forward, and the entire tower started toppling over. It took every ounce of my manly-man strength to catch it mid-fall and stop it from crashing to the ground, and I came away with some abrasions. It all happened so fast I am not even clear on exactly how it all happened, but this is how I realized the problem.
The problem is the unit is light. I said earlier I could easily pick it up in both arms and carry it across my yard, but unfortunately, being light isn't a good think when you're a 7 foot tall tower. Without a propane tank in it even a slight push could topple the entire unit on its head, and it doesn't feel like the unit would fare well in that event. I put the propane tank back in it (carefully) and tried pushing on it a bit to get a sense for how it felt. So the tower, with a full tank of propane in it, weighs around 60 lbs (a completely full 15lbs propane tank weighs about 32lbs (15 propane + 17lbs tank) and the unit weighs 28 lbs). At this weight the unit is reasonably sturdy and doesn't feel like a light knock, or even a medium level wind, will knock it over. BUT, the propane itself is 25% of the weight of the unit and as you begin burning it away pound by pound the risk level is going to increase. The LAST thing you want is a tower blowing fire out the top to topple over.
I looked online and many of the more expensive units have weighted bases... where the bottom of the base is designed so you can add sand to weigh the thing down. Weight = anti-tipping sturdiness. This unit doesn't have such a feature. I could probably find some extra room under that hood and add a sandbag (under the propane tank maybe?), but it's not explicitly designed for such. Further, now that I am examining the structure more carefully, it's not all that sturdy to begin with. The base is sturdy enough to hold the propane, the bars you add on coming off it add some structural support, and the pole in the center holding up the head/crown feels VERY sturdy... but still this thing was not meant to be tested in heavy winds/weather and I'd be a little worried if kids were running around and potentially knocking into it if it wasn't secured.
Now... this is all my fault. The manufacturers added three clamp-down mechanisms by which I'm supposed to secure the base to a floor or the ground, and I did NOT put those on the unit (even though the instructions told me to). It also came with this strap which you can put around it and attach to something else (a railing?) to give it some stability... and I didn't use that either. So... I am an idiot, yes. I am telling you I'm an idiot so you're aware that you're likely going to want/need to secure this somehow. With clamp downs I think this would be great and don't think this thing would fall over... even in a medium-strong wind, but I'd still recommend you get a heavy-duty cover for the thing.
After heavy consideration, I am leaving this at 5-stars. Even knowing the above I'd still buy this and it's still a great value. Had I followed their safety instructions it would have been fine, and I think as long as I'm reasonable in how sturdy it is and take some simple precautions (which I should probably be taking anyways), it will be a winner.
--- 1 Month Update ---
We had a big wind storm the other day (I'm in New Jersey). The wind took down two large potted palms, a potted tree, and a large metal trellis covered in wisteria that had spike anchors in the ground. Yet I am happy to report this heater remainder standing. We used it that next night and it started up on the first button push, and its appearance (despite being outside and open to the elements without a cover) remains the exact same as on day-1.
Top reviews from other countries
Tuve un detalle. Solicite 10 de los cuales 9 llegaron en un envío y uno más en otro. El que llegó único, fue de otro color y llegó con las llantas rotas.
Estoy contento con la compra en general.
Reviewed in Mexico on November 21, 2022
Tuve un detalle. Solicite 10 de los cuales 9 llegaron en un envío y uno más en otro. El que llegó único, fue de otro color y llegó con las llantas rotas.
Estoy contento con la compra en general.
Reviewed in Canada on September 14, 2020