Tank Top Radiant Heaters for the Great Outdoors

It can be tricky to heat larger areas outdoors efficiently, a matter made even more difficult if you don’t have access to electricity. However, with the help of a “tank top” portable radiant heater, you can quickly and economically heat  poolsides, campsites, patios, decks and other outdoor areas.

Propane heaters typically cannot be used indoors due to the risk of carbon monoxide exhaust. For heating medium to large outdoor areas, propane heaters are one of your best options. Radiant heaters warm nearby objects instead of warming the air around them. Since no energy is wasted from warming outdoor air, they make a very efficient option for heating outdoors.

Their unique construction gives tank top propane heaters their name. The radiant heating element is affixed to the top of the fuel tank — and propane cylinder. Because of their no-nonsense design, they are lightweight and highly portable when detached from their fuel cylinder.

Larger heaters attach directly to the standard 20 lb. propane cylinders, while smaller heaters utilize the non-refillable 1 lb. cylinders available at most super stores. Based on the output of the heater you choose, a single 20 lb. cylinder can heat for over fifty hours, making for an extremely efficient heat solution.

Additionally, because no blowers or fans are used to distribute heat, radiant heaters usually have no moving parts. This gives them the advantage of being quiet while in operation and unlikely to breakdown. Unlike most convection or ceramic heaters which warm the air around them, radiant heaters reach full heat output in just a few seconds.

If you’re looking for a durable tank top radiant heater, take a look at the line of heaters from Mr. Heater Inc. Check out Mr. Heater’s MH12T, a tank top style heater with temperature controls and a handful of safety features. Depending on the temperature setting, the MH12T can heat for 30-52 hours on a twenty pound propane tank.

You may also check out the Mr. Heater Little Buddy radiant heater, which is a more compact, lower output heater. The Little Buddy features an angled directional heat head, and uses a one pound tank as a base. This heater can actually be used in some indoor areas such as workshops, campers, and patios. If the unit is tipped or if it senses a low oxygen level, automatic sensors will kill the heating element. Priced at $69 and available at both online and offline retail stores, the Little Buddy is a low-price entry model for portable heating.

When quick, economic heating is needed, tank top radiant heaters are a great choice. Because you’re not waiting on air to circulate or heating elements to warm up, radiant heat is very quick and direct. Outdoor areas and especially decks and patios and benefit greatly from them.  With a heater, you will be able to enjoy your outdoor deck lighting no matter what time of the year it is.