What Is the Best Outdoor Heater in Canada?

The best outdoor heater in Canada needs to do more than simply produce heat. It needs to perform in wind, withstand rain and moisture, survive temperature swings, and remain outside through conditions that can be considerably tougher than the environment most patio heaters were designed for.

That makes build quality, materials, heat technology and durability just as important as the heater's wattage.

For Canadian patios, decks, outdoor kitchens and commercial spaces, we believe the best solution is a high-quality electric infrared heater built specifically for permanent outdoor use - particularly one made from marine-grade 316 stainless steel and designed to deliver radiant heat directly to the people beneath it.

Here’s what to look for.

Canadian Weather Is Tough on Outdoor Heaters

There isn't really one Canadian climate.

A heater installed on a waterfront patio in Vancouver or Victoria has to contend with moisture, rain and salt air. A heater in Whistler or the Rockies sees snow, cold temperatures and significant seasonal temperature changes. Across the Prairies and much of Eastern Canada, outdoor equipment can experience everything from hot summers to extremely cold winters.

That means an outdoor heater shouldn't be selected solely on how much heat it produces.

It also needs to be built to live outdoors.

Lower-cost patio heaters can look great when they're new, but materials, fasteners, coatings and electrical components become increasingly important after several seasons of exposure.

If you're investing in a permanent outdoor heating system, longevity should be part of the buying decision from the beginning.

304 vs 316 Stainless Steel: Why the Material Matters

You'll often see outdoor heaters advertised simply as being made from "stainless steel."

But not all stainless steel is the same.

304 stainless steel is widely used in outdoor products because it offers good general corrosion resistance while remaining relatively economical to manufacture.

316 stainless steel takes corrosion resistance a step further. It contains molybdenum, which gives it greater resistance to corrosion in demanding environments - particularly where moisture, chlorides and salt are present.

That's why 316 is commonly referred to as marine-grade stainless steel.

Kelray's Ideal Series heaters are constructed using marine-grade 316 stainless steel, including the smaller components and fasteners. It is one of the fundamental differences between a Kelray heater and many conventional outdoor patio heaters.

For coastal homes, waterfront properties, mountain environments and exposed commercial patios, we think that difference matters.

Infrared Heating Works Differently Outdoors

One of the biggest challenges with heating an outdoor space is that you can't effectively heat the surrounding air.

Warm air simply moves away.

That's why conventional convection heating that works perfectly well inside a house becomes much less effective outdoors.

Infrared radiant heating works differently.

Rather than trying to warm all of the air around your patio, an infrared heater projects radiant energy toward the people, furniture and surfaces beneath it.

Think about standing in the sun on a cool day. The air may still be cold, but you can feel the warmth of the sun directly on your skin.

Infrared patio heaters work on a similar principle.

This makes them particularly well suited to:

• Covered patios

• Outdoor dining areas

• Decks

• Pergolas

• Outdoor kitchens

• Restaurant patios

• Hotel and hospitality spaces

• Semi-enclosed outdoor rooms

• Breezy or exposed areas

Because the heater isn't relying on warm air remaining in place, infrared heat can remain effective even when there is air movement through the space.

Electric vs Propane Patio Heaters

Propane mushroom heaters are probably the most recognizable form of outdoor heating in Canada.

They're portable and relatively inexpensive to purchase, but they're not necessarily the best solution for a permanent patio.

For a properly designed outdoor area, fixed electric infrared heating has several advantages.

With Kelray Electric Infrared heaters, there are no propane cylinders to refill or exchange, no open flame, and no large floor-standing heater taking up valuable patio space.

Electric heaters can instead be installed:

• On a wall

• From the ceiling

• Overhead

• Recessed or flush-mounted in suitable applications

That allows the heating system to become part of the architecture rather than something you wheel onto the patio whenever the temperature drops.

It also means you can position the heaters specifically to warm the seating and entertaining areas that matter.

Heater Positioning Is Just as Important as Heater Power

Buying the largest heater available isn't necessarily the answer.

Outdoor infrared heating works best when the heater output, mounting height, mounting angle and area being heated are considered together.

For example, a smaller covered seating area with a relatively low ceiling may only require a single heater.

A larger patio with higher ceilings may need a more powerful heater — or multiple heaters positioned strategically to create even coverage.

Long dining tables can also benefit from a different heat pattern than a square seating area.

This is why we recommend designing the heating layout around the space rather than simply choosing a heater based on square footage.

At Kelray, our outdoor infrared heater range extends from compact models through to high-output dual-element heaters, allowing the heater and heat pattern to be matched to the application.

Look Beyond the Purchase Price

Outdoor heaters range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars, so it's tempting to compare them primarily on upfront price.

But a permanently installed heater should really be considered more like an outdoor appliance.

If a cheaper heater begins corroding, requires replacement parts or needs to be completely replaced after a few seasons, the initial saving can disappear quickly.

When comparing outdoor heaters, look at:

Construction materials
Is the heater actually built for outdoor exposure, and what grade of stainless steel is being used?

Warranty
A strong warranty gives you a useful indication of how much confidence the manufacturer has in the product.

Replacement parts
Can elements and components be serviced or replaced, or is the heater essentially disposable?

Local support
If something does go wrong, is there someone in Canada you can actually contact?

Installation flexibility
Can the heater be positioned where it will provide the best coverage for your space?

Why Warranty Matters

One of the easiest specifications to overlook when comparing patio heaters is the warranty.

We think it's one of the most important.

Outdoor heaters live in a demanding environment. Rain, moisture, airborne contaminants, temperature changes and continuous heating and cooling cycles all place stress on the materials and components.

Kelray outdoor heaters are backed by a five-year warranty, reflecting the way they're designed and constructed for long-term outdoor use.

For us, building a heater that lasts is much more important than building one that is inexpensive to replace.

Designed in New Zealand. Assembled and Supported in Canada.

Kelray was founded in New Zealand, where outdoor living, coastal conditions and exposed patios are part of everyday life.

Our heaters were developed specifically because we believed outdoor heaters could be built better - using better materials and designing the product from the outset to survive outdoors.

Today, Kelray heaters sold in Canada bring that New Zealand design