Winter temperatures don’t have to mean spending time living indoors. With outdoor heating, you can enjoy time outside without resorting to thermal clothing.

Outdoor gas heaters range from the old-fashioned to the newfangled, and they are designed specifically to provide heat so we can enjoy outdoor living and leisure activities even when the air is chilly. Outdoor gas heating has been used in alfresco dining applications in the restaurant and cafe industry for years, but it’s only recently that people have begun to use them at home. They provide good heat and are relatively cost effective, especially if they’re only lit up when necessary. They work best in sheltered conditions (in fact, many models automatically switch off in strong winds) and the radiant heat can reach up to five metres.

A couple of rather more old-fashioned forms of outdoor heating include the brazier, which is essentially a fire contained in a metal basket on legs, and the chiminea, which originated in Mexico. While traditional versions were made from clay, modern versions are made from cast iron, and these generally provide better heat and are sturdier. The clay ovens can become quite brittle once they have been used, and are unable to be moved. Chimineas are like outdoor ovens on legs, with a spherical body, an open mouth and a chimney at the top. A large part of the pleasure of these heaters (and braziers) derives from the ambience they create, since there’s nothing like the play of flames on a cold night to warm the cockles. Of course, the flames and coals burning inside braziers and chimineas also provide lovely heat and warmth for outdoor living in the cool months.

Whatever type of winter heating you choose, remember safety. Always ensure adequate ventilation in the outdoor spaces you are trying to heat, and be aware that the surfaces of each outdoor heating device can become extremely hot. Flames, coals, iron and clay heated to high temperatures can seriously burn curious or unwary children. And keep all of these heat sources away from combustible materials.