Propane Patio Heater Won’t Light: What to Check

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A propane patio heater that will not light usually has a problem you can narrow down before spending money. Check the parts you can reach yourself: the fuel connection, the tank valve, the igniter and whether the burner is clear. Never check for a gas leak with a flame. Brush soapy water on the connections instead and look for bubbles.

The six products below are complete heaters, not repair parts such as igniters or thermocouples. They are for readers who decide an old heater is not worth fixing, or who want a second heater. The listings do not state anything about reliability of ignition, so read them for format, fuel and size.

Quick answer

If you are replacing a heater, three tabletop models share an 11,000 BTU rating: Mars Explo, Tangkula and Cuisinart. The Cuisinart lists a safety tilt switch and burner screen guard, and the Mars Explo lists tip-over protection and a flame inspect feature. For something that heats a larger area on wheels, the Amazon Basics is a 46,000 BTU tower. The Avenger is a 30,000 BTU tank-top heater and the BLAZEAL is a small portable one for a 1 lb cylinder. More help on a heater that fails to light is in Best Outdoor Heater Won T Light. See also Best 20 Lb Propane Tank for Patio Heater.

Comparison table

Product	Type	Output	Key features	Color
Mars Explo tabletop	Tabletop, radiant	11,000 BTU	Adjustable temperature, flame inspect, tip-over protection	Brown
Amazon Basics tower	Tower on wheels	46,000 BTU	Wheels, water tank in title, adjustable heat output, 9-foot radius	Slate gray
BLAZEAL portable	Dish, radiant	Not stated	Catalytic infrared burner, snake hose, tilt head, 1 lb cylinder	Silver
Tangkula tabletop	Tabletop	11,000 BTU	Adjustable flame, gas stovetop compatible	Black
Avenger FBDTP30	Tank top, dish	30,000 BTU	Double burner, adjustable temperature, tilt head	Silver
Cuisinart tabletop	Tabletop, radiant	11,000 BTU	Safety tilt switch, burner screen guard, adjustable heat	Red

The products

Mars Explo 11,000 BTU tabletop heater

A brown, portable tabletop propane heater with a quartz glass tube, listed for balcony and porch. Features include adjustable temperature, flame inspect and tip-over protection. Outdoor use, radiant heating.

Suits: a small balcony or porch where a tabletop heater fits.

• Pros: tip-over protection, a flame inspect feature, adjustable temperature.
• Cons: heating area and runtime are not stated.

Skip if: you need to heat a large patio.

View the Mars Explo heater on Amazon (affiliate link)

Amazon Basics 46,000 BTU patio heater

A slate gray tower heater on wheels with a water tank in the title, adjustable heat output and a 9-foot radius. The listing says propane, gas powered and for outdoor use, both commercial and residential.

Suits: a buyer with open floor space who wants to heat a larger area.

• Pros: highest output here, wheels, a stated 9-foot radius.
• Cons: it needs floor space, and height and weight are not stated.

Skip if: you only have a table or a small balcony.

View the Amazon Basics heater on Amazon (affiliate link)

BLAZEAL portable propane heater

A small silver dish heater with an upgraded catalytic infrared burner and a free-bending snake hose, titled for tent camping, patio and indoor or outdoor use with a 1 lb cylinder. Features include an adjustable tilt head, fast heating and light weight.

Suits: a camper or someone who wants a light, portable heater for a small space.

• Pros: light, tilting head, flexible hose, indoor and outdoor listed.
• Cons: BTU output is not stated.

Skip if: you want a heater to warm a larger patio.

View the BLAZEAL heater on Amazon (affiliate link)

Tangkula 11,000 BTU tabletop heater

A black tabletop propane patio heater with adjustable flame, rated 11,000 BTU in the title. The listing mentions gas stovetop compatibility and outdoor use.

Suits: someone who wants a simple tabletop heater with a flame adjustment.

• Pros: adjustable flame and a stated BTU rating.
• Cons: safety features such as tip-over protection are not listed.

Skip if: you want a stated tilt or tip-over shutoff.

View the Tangkula heater on Amazon (affiliate link)

Avenger FBDTP30 tank-top heater

A silver infrared tank-top heater with a double burner and 30,000 BTU, for use with propane gas tanks for camping and patios. The listing mentions adjustable temperature, an adjustable tilt head, fast heating and light weight. Outdoor use.

Suits: a buyer who already has a propane tank and wants more output than a tabletop unit.

• Pros: 30,000 BTU, double burner, adjustable temperature.
• Cons: it needs a separate propane tank, which is not included in the listing.

Skip if: you want a self-contained unit.

View the Avenger heater on Amazon (affiliate link)

Cuisinart portable tabletop patio heater

A red, 11,000 BTU tabletop propane heater with a safety tilt switch, adjustable heat and a burner screen guard. The title also mentions a 30 square foot heat range. The listing says fast heating, lightweight and portable, for outdoor use.

Suits: someone who wants stated safety features on a tabletop heater.

• Pros: tilt switch, screen guard, a stated heat range.
• Cons: it covers a small area compared with a tower heater.

Skip if: you need to heat more than a small seating area.

View the Cuisinart heater on Amazon (affiliate link)

Buying checklist

• Before replacing, check the fuel connection, tank valve and igniter. Test connections with soapy water, never a flame.
• Decide on format: tabletop, tank top or tower on wheels.
• Match the output to your space. The tabletop units are 11,000 BTU and the tower is 46,000 BTU.
• Look for safety features: tilt switch, tip-over protection, screen guard.
• Check the fuel and tank type. See Best 20 Lb Propane Tank for Patio Heater.
• Check the ignition method on the product page, since the listings do not state it.

FAQ

Are these repair parts for a heater that will not light?

No. They are complete heaters. None of the listings is an igniter, thermocouple or other replacement part.

What should I check before replacing a heater?

Check the fuel connection, the tank valve, the igniter and whether the burner is clear. Test connections with soapy water. Never use a flame to look for a leak.

Which heater covers the most area?

The Amazon Basics tower is 46,000 BTU with a listed 9-foot radius. The Avenger is 30,000 BTU. The tabletop units are 11,000 BTU.

Which heaters have tip-over protection?

The Mars Explo lists tip-over protection and the Cuisinart lists a safety tilt switch. The other listings do not mention a tip-over feature.

Can I use these indoors?

Only the BLAZEAL lists indoor and outdoor use. The others are listed for outdoor use only.

Closing note

If the heater is worth saving, work through the fuel, valve and igniter checks first. If you do replace it, pick the format that fits your space: a tabletop unit for a small area, the Avenger for a tank you already have, or the Amazon Basics tower for open floor space.