Outdoor Fireplace vs Patio Heater: Which One Should You Buy?

Side by side

Both examples below are outdoor fireplaces, as listed; the patio heater column describes the type in general terms.

Outdoor fireplace vs patio heater: how the heat reaches you

A fireplace warms by an open wood fire in a bowl: radiant heat, visible flames, and a circle of chairs pulled close. A patio heater warms by a contained burner, with no open fire to feed and no sparks to watch. The fireplace asks for tending through the evening; the heater asks for very little once it is lit. Neither listing is a patio heater, so read the heater column as the general shape of the type, not a reviewed product.

Fuel and tending

The Verdeluxe example holds 20 to 30 lbs of firewood in a 29.5 in bowl, and the EcoNook example pairs a 24 in bowl with a wood grate. Both need firewood on hand, a dry place to store it, and someone willing to feed the fire and handle the ash. A patio heater skips all of that: no woodpile, no ash, no spark screen. What it needs instead is its own fuel supply and a safe spot to stand, which the listings do not describe, so that side stays general.

Size, surface and where it sits

The EcoNook example measures 32 in square and doubles as a table, with the listing describing coffee for 4 to 6 people, while the Verdeluxe example measures 47 in square for gatherings of 8 to 15. The Verdeluxe listing is explicit about placement: set it on stone or gravel, never directly on a wooden floor or grass. A patio heater stands upright in a smaller footprint and suits patios where you would rather not tend an open fire.

How to choose: fireplace or patio heater

Match the unit to the gathering

Size is the first filter. The Verdeluxe example is 47 in square and the listing describes 8 to 15 people gathering around it, while the EcoNook example is 32 in square with coffee for 4 to 6 people. A big backyard party wants the big bowl; a small patio for two wants the smaller one. The Verdeluxe bowl itself is 29.5 in square and 12 in deep and holds 20 to 30 lbs of firewood, while the EcoNook bowl is 24 in wide and 4.6 in deep. Bigger bowl, longer burn between reloads.

Cooking plans

If dinner is part of the evening, the Verdeluxe is the pick: the box includes two cooking grates, 18 in and 23 in, and the listing’s own tip is to lay aluminum foil flat on the grill for easy cleanup and avoid grilling directly on the surface. The EcoNook can serve as an outdoor BBQ, but the listing notes the BBQ grate is not included, so that is a separate purchase. A patio heater, by contrast, cooks nothing; the comparison table marks it as not a cooking appliance.

Placement and surface

The Verdeluxe listing is explicit: do not place it directly on a wooden floor or grass; set it on a heat-resistant surface like stone or gravel. The four feet have a ring-shaped structure for stability on uneven ground. The EcoNook is an iron table at 18.2 pounds with triangular metal plates reinforcing each leg. Neither listing describes a patio heater’s placement, so that side stays general: any heater needs a stable, level spot away from anything flammable.

Assembly, upkeep and warranty

The Verdeluxe takes 1 to 2 adults about 30 minutes to assemble, with a tip not to fully tighten screws until all pieces are connected, and the seller provides a 1-year warranty with 24/7 customer service. The EcoNook’s bowl lifts out for drainage and cleaning while keeping most ash and debris inside the pit, and the maker offers replacement parts if any arrive missing or damaged. The EcoNook kit includes a fire poker; the Verdeluxe box includes a fire poker too. Upkeep is the hidden cost of a fireplace: ash, cleaning and cover storage against a heater’s simpler wipe-down.

Two examples

How we scored them

Each example is scored on performance, build, value, safety and warranty, using only what the listing publishes. The weights are on the site’s How We Pick page.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each product’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score.

Around the Woodpile

• The EcoNook fire bowl lifts out, which makes drainage and cleaning easier while keeping most ash and debris inside the pit.
• Set the Verdeluxe pit on stone or gravel; the listing says not to place it directly on a wooden floor or grass.
• The EcoNook kit includes a fire poker that lifts the screen lid from a short distance.
• The Verdeluxe box includes two cooking grates; lay foil flat on them for easy cleanup and avoid grilling directly on the surface.
• The EcoNook maker offers replacement parts if any arrive missing or damaged.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an outdoor fireplace double as a grill?

The Verdeluxe example includes two cooking grates, 18 in and 23 in, for its BBQ mode. The EcoNook example can serve as an outdoor BBQ, but the listing notes the BBQ grate is not included.

What size fire pit fits a small patio?

The EcoNook example is 32 in square and the listing describes coffee for 4 to 6 people. The Verdeluxe example is 47 in square and suits gatherings of 8 to 15.

Do I need a spark screen?

The EcoNook example includes a mesh lid that guards against stray embers and sparks. The Verdeluxe example uses a star-patterned surround as its spark shield.

Can I put a fire pit on a wooden deck or grass?

The Verdeluxe listing says no: set it on a heat-resistant surface like stone or gravel, not directly on a wooden floor or grass.

How much firewood does a fire pit hold?

The Verdeluxe listing states 20 to 30 lbs of firewood in its 29.5 in bowl. The EcoNook listing gives bowl dimensions, 24 in wide and 4.6 in deep, rather than a weight.

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