How to Clean Your Patio Heater

By: Nick Janco, NFI Certified Master Hearth Professional

Last Updated: December 18, 2025

If you’d like to enjoy your patio later into the fall and earlier in the spring, adding patio heaters to your outdoor living space is the perfect solution. Although they’re built to withstand hostile weather conditions and feature watertight, wind-resistant components, outdoor patio heaters still accumulate dust, dirt, and debris that may corrode the finish or compromise the heating elements.

It’s important to inspect and clean your gas or electric patio heaters frequently to ensure they function safely and efficiently. Before you start cleaning, read through the installation manual that came with your patio heater. The manufacturer will outline the best cleaning method for your specific unit.

While each patio heater model may have slightly different cleaning instructions, we’ve provided a step-by-step guide to help you keep your patio heaters in perfect working condition for years to come.

Step 1: Clean the Exterior of Your Patio Heater

Patio heaters are typically made from heavy-duty stainless steel or feature a durable, powder-coated finish to outlast harsh elements. The cleaning method you’ll use will largely depend on what your patio heater is made of.

Reference the maintenance and cleaning section of your installation manual for a list of approved cleaning products and techniques, along with how often you should clean your patio heater.

Prior to cleaning, make sure your gas supply is turned off and your heater has cooled completely.

Stainless Steel Patio Heaters

If you have a stainless steel patio heater, you can typically use a stainless steel cleaner and a soft rag to gently wipe away any water spots, rain marks, dirt, dust, and/or debris from its surface.

If your patio heater has a brushed stainless steel finish, you can remove stubborn spots by gently scouring the surface with a soft brush, scrubbing in the same direction as the brushed texture.

Do not use a scrubbing brush on smooth stainless steel surfaces as it may scratch the finish.

Powder-Coated Patio Heaters

Patio heaters with a powder-coated finish can be cleaned using dish detergent and clean water. Never use flammable or corrosive cleaning agents.

Step 2: Check Your Patio Heater Components

Regularly check for any cracks, dents, warping, or loose bolts on your patio heater. If you notice any significant damage, stop using your heater and hire a professional to resolve the issue or replace any parts.

Gas Patio Heaters

The airflow in your gas patio heater must stay unobstructed. Keep the controls, burner area, and circulating air passageways clear of debris, dust, and dirt.

Signs of a possible blockage include:

Strong gas odor
Yellow tipping of the flames
Heater doesn’t produce your desired temperature
Excessively uneven glow

Only a qualified professional will be able to repair gas passages and associated components.

Spiders and insects can also nest inside the burner and orifices, damaging your heater and making it unsafe to use. To clean the individual gas ports, remove the emitter screen and use a pipe cleaner to remove dirt and debris. You can also use a can of compressed air to clear away any remaining particles.

Be sure to inspect the pilot tube and thermocouple for corrosion. If either component is damaged, your heater will not produce adequate heat and may have trouble staying lit.

Carbon deposits are common on gas patio heaters and create a dangerous fire hazard. Carefully clean the dome and burner screen with warm, soapy water, if any carbon deposits develop.

When dust and debris build up on the heating elements in your heater, it may have issues igniting and warming up properly. To clean your heating elements, remove the emitter screen to expose the element and use a can of compressed air to blow off dust and dirt, rather than a damp cloth.

A gas patio heater requires proper gas pressure to function, otherwise the burner system may not receive enough gas to keep the heater lit. Low gas pressure is usually caused by a broken, kinked, or corroded gas line.

To make any repairs or to replace your gas line, you will need to hire a gas professional.

Electric Patio Heaters

For electric patio heaters, corroded wiring is one of the most common operation issues and can be caused by exposure to the elements, curious critters, and old age.

Check your heater periodically for frayed wires and broken insulation.

Damaged electrical wiring can’t be fixed, it must be replaced, so you’ll need to hire a professional electrician or appliance repair specialist to replace any damaged wires.

Step 3: Practice Proper Storage

Inclement weather conditions can cause unnecessary wear and tear on your patio heater. If you have a portable patio heater, store it in a garage, shed, or barn during the winter months.

You can also purchase a protective cover for your patio heater, which helps curb dust collection and prevents insects from nesting inside the components while it’s in storage.

Step 4: Schedule an Annual Inspection

While regular cleaning at home helps your patio heaters stay in safe working condition, you’ll also need to hire a licensed professional to inspect and clean your patio heater’s components and gas line at least once a year to ensure everything is functioning properly.

Reach out to a local NFI certified professional or licensed general contractor who has experience servicing and cleaning patio heaters to schedule your annual inspection.

Download Your Patio Heater Maintenance Guide

To help you maintain your patio heater at home, we've created a printable e-book you can download and reference in between inspections!

DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE

FAQs

The best patio heater type depends on how much space you have, your budget, and your desired level of convenience.

Propane patio heaters are portable and offer a strong heat out. Most are freestanding, storing a Propane tank in the base. This makes them great for flexible outdoor layouts.
Natural Gas patio heaters provide reliable, consistent heat and lower long-term operating costs. However, they require professional installation.
Electric patio heaters are the safe and easy to use, can be installed under covered spaces, and are ideal for smaller outdoor spaces with fuel restrictions.

Lifespan varies by type and care:

Electric heaters often last longer due to fewer moving parts.
Propane and Natural Gas units can last ~5–10+ years depending on maintenance and weather exposure.

Proper storage during off-seasons boosts longevity.

For smaller patios that are under 150 sq. ft., one heater usually works. Medium areas benefit from two heaters installed diagonally. Large patios or long outdoor dining tables may need multiple mounted heaters to get even coverage.

You can only use electric heaters indoors or under a covered space. Fuel-burning heaters (Propane and Natural Gas) need proper ventilation and must be used outside.

Using gas heater indoors or in an enclosed space risks carbon monoxide buildup and fire hazards. Even under partial covers, make sure there’s proper airflow.

More Resources:

Find the perfect outdoor heating solution with our Patio Heater Buying Guide.

Should you go with a gas heater or an electric heater? Compare both styles to make your decision.

Find out why Bromic, Infratech, and Detroit Radiant are some of the best outdoor heater brands.

Nick Janco is a seasoned Technical Sales Representative with a decade of experience at Woodland Direct. As an NFI-Certified Master Hearth Professional, Nick is dedicated to helping his clients seamlessly integrate fire features into their homes, ensuring every detail is perfectly executed. While he's trained to assist with any fire-related project, Nick specializes in patio heaters. He's helped thousands of satisfied clients find the best heating solutions, offering valuable design, safety, and installation advice. Outside of work, Nick often spends time on the green enjoying a round of golf with his 5-year-old son. Call Nick or one of our experts in fire at 800.919.1904.

Use these simple steps to keep your patio heater functioning safely & efficiently

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