The right patio heaters for restaurants come down to three things: enough listed coverage for your seating area in real outdoor conditions, a fuel or power source your building can actually support, and placement that passes your local fire marshal. Gas heaters bring high output and portability, mounted electric infrared heaters keep floor space clear for tables, and both need clearances from walls, awnings and exits. This guide covers how to size a commercial patio, how gas and electric compare for restaurant and bar use, how to mount heaters, and what fire code commonly says about propane cylinders. Your licensed installer and local fire code always have the final word.
How many patio heaters for restaurants do you need?
There is no single heaters per table number that works everywhere, so start from the manufacturer’s listed coverage and your conditions. Our listings state coverage per unit, and those figures change a lot with exposure. The RADtec Torrid Series 77 inch 6000W electric infrared heater, for example, is listed at about 300 sq ft indoors, 230 sq ft in an enclosed outdoor space and 160 sq ft outdoors exposed.
A practical method:
- Measure the seated area you want warm, not the whole lot.
- Pick the coverage figure that matches your patio: exposed, semi enclosed, or enclosed with curtains or walls.
- Divide the area by that figure and round up. A fully exposed 640 sq ft section divided by the 160 sq ft exposed rating above works out to four of those heaters.
- Add margin for wind and cold nights, since most listed figures assume still air and mild temperatures.
For more on turning square feet into a heat radius, see our patio heater heat radius guide. WebstaurantStore’s commercial patio heater guide gives similar advice: know your dimensions and clearances, double check the math, and consult the installer or a professional designer for larger systems.
Commercial patio heater options compared
These are restaurant suitable models from our catalog, with specs as stated in our product listings. None of these listings states a CSA, ETL or UL certification or a commercial rating, so ask us or the manufacturer for documentation if your fire marshal or insurer requires it.
| Model | Fuel or power | Listed output | Listed coverage | Mounting | Our price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RADtec Torrid 77 in | Electric, 240V | 6000W | 160 sq ft exposed, 230 sq ft enclosed outdoor | Wall or ceiling, 84 to 192 in | $1,170 |
| RADtec Torrid 56 in | Electric, 240V, hardwired | 6000W | Up to 230 sq ft semi enclosed, still winds | Wall, ceiling or pole | $1,120 |
| RADtec Torrid 34 in | Electric, 240V | 4000W | Up to 120 sq ft semi enclosed, still winds | Wall, ceiling or pole | $890 |
| Twin Eagles 48 in gas infrared | Natural gas or propane | 25,000 BTU low, 37,000 BTU high | Not listed | Mounting brackets included | $2,899 |
| RADtec Real Flame 96 in | Propane, 20 lb tank | 40,000 BTU | 100 sq ft in optimal conditions | Freestanding | $849 |
| RADtec 93 in Pyramid | Natural gas line | Not listed | 55 to 65 sq ft | Freestanding | $1,495 |
| RADtec Small Bistro 24 in | Electric, 110V plug in | 1500W | 3 ft radius | Tabletop | $585 |
Prices are as listed at the time of writing. You can browse the full lineup on our RADtec brand page.
Gas vs electric outdoor heaters for restaurants
WebstaurantStore’s guide sums up the tradeoffs well. In its view, natural gas is the least expensive to operate and gives high output over a large area, but needs professional installation, larger clearances and a fixed location. Propane is the most portable, but tanks are an ongoing cost and clearances are large. Electric heaters need smaller clearances and offer flush mount options, but are the most expensive to operate and can only go where power is available.
When gas makes sense
If your kitchen already runs on natural gas, a plumbed heater removes tank swaps entirely. The Pyramid natural gas model above connects to a gas line and has an anti tilt shut off switch. Propane freestanding heaters suit patios that change layout often or have no utilities nearby. Our propane vs natural gas patio heater comparison goes deeper on fuel choice.
When electric infrared makes sense
Electric infrared is often the easier fit for covered patios, rooftop bars and spaces close to the building, because it avoids propane cylinders and open flames. The catch is wiring: the Torrid 56 inch listing says it must be hardwired by a qualified technician, so budget for a licensed electrician and a dedicated circuit, and confirm your panel has capacity before you order.
Restaurant patio heating: mounting options
Wall and ceiling mounted heaters free up floor space for more tables and keep heaters out of server paths, and WebstaurantStore notes many mounted systems offer zone controls. The tradeoffs are a more complex install and no portability. Freestanding heaters are flexible and easy to add for a busy weekend, but they take floor space and can tip. Weight the base and choose models with tip shutoff. Umbrella and pole mounting is possible with some electric units; the Torrid mounting kit covers wall, ceiling or pole. Always follow the manufacturer’s clearance chart for distance to ceilings, walls and combustible surfaces.
Propane storage, fire code and permits
Fire codes vary by city, so contact your local fire marshal before winter. As one example, the Charleston Fire Department’s information bulletin on portable outdoor gas fired heaters summarizes the International Fire Code (2021 edition) as adopted there. It says portable gas patio heaters:
- May not be used inside buildings when connected to a fuel container, inside tents or canopies, or on exterior balconies.
- Must be at least 5 feet from buildings, from combustible decorations, awnings and overhangs, and from exits.
- Must be listed and approved, installed per the manufacturer’s instructions, have a tip over switch that shuts off gas past 15 degrees from vertical, and have a guarded heating element.
- May use only approved DOT or ASME containers of 20 pounds maximum, which may not be swapped while the public is present or stored inside buildings except as the code allows.
That 20 pound cap matters: some heaters accept larger cylinders, so check what your jurisdiction allows before buying. Gas line installs and 240V hardwiring typically need licensed trades and may need permits; your building department will tell you what applies.
Wind, enclosures and operating cost
Wind cuts effective coverage, which is why most of our listings quote coverage in still winds. WebstaurantStore suggests infrared heaters for breezy sites, or adding heaters to make up for conditions. The Twin Eagles 48 inch gas infrared heater is listed as wind proof up to 15 MPH. Clear vinyl curtains can help hold heat in, but check with your fire marshal, since enclosing a space can change how code treats it and gas heaters are prohibited in tents.
For running cost, compare your local rates rather than general claims. Multiply each heater’s listed watts or BTU by hours of service, then price it at your electric rate, gas rate or propane cost per tank. Runtime figures help: the Real Flame is listed as running more than half a day on a 20 lb tank.
Frequently asked questions
How far from the building must a commercial patio heater be?
Under the code summarized in Charleston’s bulletin, portable gas heaters must be at least 5 feet from buildings, exits and combustible awnings. Electric units follow the manufacturer’s clearances. Your local fire code decides.
Are electric outdoor heaters for restaurants better than propane?
Neither is better everywhere. Electric avoids tanks and suits covered or close spaces but costs more to run and needs wiring. Propane is portable but brings cylinder rules.
Can I use propane patio heaters under a tent?
The code summarized by Charleston prohibits portable gas heaters inside tents, canopies and membrane structures. Ask your fire marshal about alternatives.
How do I size restaurant patio heating?
Divide your seated area by each heater’s listed coverage for your exposure, round up, and add margin for wind. See our patio heater buying guide.
Planning a larger outdoor setup with fire features too? See our commercial fire pit guide. We offer free freight shipping on orders of $999 or more, with a $200 flat rate below that. For help choosing heaters for your patio, call 866-777-2590, Monday through Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST.
