Propane vs Natural Gas Patio Heater: Which One Should You Buy?

FirewoodGearHQ may earn a small commission if you buy through links on this page. The price you pay stays the same. Read our Affiliate Disclosure.

Propane vs natural gas patio heater: the quick answer

Buy propane if you want portability and no plumbing. Every listing here connects to a standard propane tank, and the stated runtimes show what a tank gives you. Buy natural gas if your patio already has a gas line and you never want to swap tanks. None of the three listings here is a natural gas model, so this guide compares the fuel types in general terms and ranks the three propane picks below.

The honest version: the listings agree that propane means tank-fed, movable heat. The Temctrl states runtimes of up to about 18 hours on low, 16.5 hours on medium and 14 hours on high from a standard 20 lb tank. The PAULINN runs up to 69 hours on its low setting of 6,000 BTU. Those are the only fuel-consumption figures stated anywhere here.

The three propane picks, ranked

First is the Temctrl SKT-73 tank-top heater. It states 30,000 BTU on high with three levels: low at 22,000, medium at 26,000 and high at 30,000 BTU. The head tilts up to 90 degrees, the tip mechanism cuts the gas if the unit leans to around 45 degrees, and a full metal mesh guard blocks direct contact with the burner head. It mounts directly on a standard 20 lb cylinder, tank not included, and the listing states outdoor use only: operate it outside or in wide, open areas with plenty of airflow.

Second is the SISUPASSIE 30,000 BTU heater. It states three heating modes, low, medium and high, with up to 30,000 BTU, and the head rotates 30 degrees for even heat distribution. Safety features are the most stated here: an automatic shut-off valve, a tip-over protection switch and safety mesh guards. The listing states indoor and outdoor use, steel construction, and a 17 by 12 by 7-inch tabletop form.

Third is the PAULINN cabinet heater. It states 3 modes from 6,000 to 18,000 BTU, instant radiant heat, and coverage of up to 450 square feet. It carries dual safeguards: low oxygen protection and tip-over protection. Four casters with brakes make it movable, it folds for storage, and the stated noise level is no more than 32dB. The listing states indoor and outdoor use.

How the fuel types differ

Fuel supply

Propane comes in tanks you carry. The Temctrl mounts on a standard 20 lb cylinder; the SISUPASSIE connects to a propane tank; the PAULINN runs on propane with no tank included in the listing. When the tank empties, you swap it. Natural gas comes from a home gas line, so there is nothing to swap and nothing to run out, but the heater stays where the line ends.

Heat output

Stated outputs here run from 6,000 BTU on the PAULINN’s low setting to 30,000 BTU on the Temctrl and SISUPASSIE highs. The Temctrl breaks its three levels out as 22,000, 26,000 and 30,000 BTU; the PAULINN as 6,000 to 18,000 BTU. No listing here compares propane output to natural gas output, so treat output as a per-model figure, not a fuel-type rule.

Portability

This is propane’s stated strength. The PAULINN has four casters with brakes and folds for storage. The Temctrl mounts on a tank and moves wherever the tank goes. The SISUPASSIE is a tabletop unit at 17 by 12 by 7 inches. A natural gas heater tied to a fixed line cannot move at all.

Safety features

All three listings state tip-over protection: the SISUPASSIE’s tip-over switch, the Temctrl’s tip mechanism at around 45 degrees, and the PAULINN’s tip-over protection. The SISUPASSIE adds an automatic shut-off valve and safety mesh guards; the Temctrl adds a full metal mesh guard; the PAULINN adds low oxygen protection. For indoor use, follow the listing: the Temctrl states outdoor use only, while the SISUPASSIE and PAULINN state indoor and outdoor use. Our outdoor propane heater roundup covers more portable picks.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a propane patio heater indoors?

Check the listing. The SISUPASSIE and PAULINN state indoor and outdoor use; the Temctrl states outdoor use only and says to operate it outside or in wide, open areas with plenty of airflow. The PAULINN’s low oxygen protection is stated for enclosed spaces, but the listing still assumes ventilation.

How long will a 20 lb propane tank last?

The Temctrl states up to about 18 hours on low, 16.5 hours on medium and 14 hours on high from a standard 20 lb tank. The PAULINN states up to 69 hours on its low setting of 6,000 BTU. The SISUPASSIE states no runtime figure.

What safety features should I look for?

The listings here state tip-over protection on all three, an automatic shut-off valve and safety mesh guards on the SISUPASSIE, a tip mechanism and full metal mesh guard on the Temctrl, and low oxygen protection on the PAULINN. Look for the features the listing actually states rather than assuming them.

Propane or natural gas for a fixed patio?

If the patio has a gas line and the heater will never move, natural gas means no tank swaps. If there is no line, or the heater needs to move between patio, garage and campsite, propane is the practical choice. The three listings here are all propane.

How much space will these heat?

Only the PAULINN states a coverage figure: up to 450 square feet. The Temctrl and SISUPASSIE state no coverage figure, only BTU output. Do not assume coverage from BTU alone.

Related guides

• Outdoor propane heaters
• Outdoor gas heaters
• Infrared outdoor heaters
• Wood stoves