TRENDY KIT TO KEEP YOU TOASTY

NoW winter is on its way, the item on everyone’s wishlists is hot property. After doing up our houses in lockdown, we have turned our attention to outdoor space. John Lewis has seen demand soar for patio heaters, up a staggering 1,625 per cent compared wi

FIRE IT UP

La Fiesta cast-iron, rust-finish fire bowl, £69.99, primrose.co.uk PILE wood or charcoal into this traditionally shaped fire pit and enjoy good flames. Made of cast iron with an attractive rusty finish and sturdy legs, it has a rainwater drainage hole in the bottom and two handles. It is perfect for toasting marshmallows. 4/5

WIDE WARMTH

Colorado 2500R heater and stand combination, £449, herschelinfrared.co.uk This versatile black heater might not be as pretty as others but it’s easy to use and the flat, wide head gives off an impressive amount of heat within seconds. Waterproof, it can be wall- or ceilingmounted, or used with a heightadjustable stand. optional remote control. 4/5

TALL ORDER

Florida 2,000W heater, £299, herschel-infrared. co.uk LOOKING more like a floor lamp than a patio heater, this extra-tall model plugs into an outdoor power socket and the infrared lamp warms up immediately. The stainless steel pole can be inserted through a garden table for all-round heat. The base is heavy but fairly easy to manoeuvre. The downside is that it is only splash-proof, so you will need to store it in your shed when it rains. 3/5

LIGHT FANTASTIC

Kettler plush ceiling electric heater, £179, kettler.co.uk This heater and garden light with fabric shade can be hung by a chain from a pergola, gazebo or conservatory to warm guests below. The only downside? You will need an outdoor extension cord as the 1.8-metre cable isn’t long. 3/5

CHIMNEY SWEET

Saunderson chiminea, £186.99, wayfair.co.uk FILL the bowl with wood or charcoal and light. Gives a surprising amount of heat. The smoke is channelled through the funnel at the top. A handy log store. 3/5

TOWERING INFERNO

BU-Ko outdoor patio gas heater, £249, amazon. co.uk This metal pyramid conceals a propane gas canister (which you need to buy separately). A flame dances up a glass tube inside, providing decent heat. There’s a built-in safety valve and it is waterproof. 2/5

STYLE AND SUBSTANCE

California 2,000W rose-gold heater, £299, herschel-infrared.co.uk THE most stylish model I tried; this lozenge-shaped infrared heater looks reassuringly expensive when mounted on the wall but can also be used with a stand. Giving off a gentle glow, it’s waterproof, has a remote control and can be timer-controlled for up to nine hours. 4/5

BEST ALL-ROUNDER

Empire 3kW carbon infrared patio heater, £510, heat-outdoors.co.uk oF All the heaters i tried, this kept me the toastiest. sturdy and idiot-proof, with a choice of settings, the vertical tubes give out an impressive amount of top-to-toe warmth. safety features include flocked bars to prevent burns and an optional motion sensor that switches the heater on and off if guests leave the area. it’s also waterproof. 5/5