Use case · Patio heaters

Propane for Patio Heaters: Cylinder Tips and Where to Refill

Using 20 lb cylinders with outdoor patio heaters — safe setup habits, refill options, and station finder links.

Outdoor patio heater
Photo: Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

Freestanding patio heaters often use the same DOT 20 lb cylinder as a grill. Runtime varies widely by heater BTU rating and settings — manufacturers publish approximate hours; we won’t invent a number here. Plan on having a spare cylinder for long evenings.

Tools on this site: Refill cost calculator · EIA propane prices · U.S. station map (tap Use my location) · Refill vs exchange

Setup habits that matter

  • Use heaters only outdoors with manufacturer clearances from walls and umbrellas.
  • Keep the cylinder upright and on a stable base; shut gas off when finished.
  • Check hoses and connections before each season; replace worn parts.

Fire-safety education: NFPA. Product recalls/alerts: CPSC.

Refill or exchange

Same choice as grilling: weight refill vs cage exchange. See refill vs exchange and estimate gallons/cost with the calculator. EIA residential $/gal is a baseline only — view trends.

Find a station near you

Open the nationwide map and click Use my location to center nearby AFDC propane stations. Or jump to busy state hubs:

Find propane stations near you

Open full U.S. map

Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Station points from AFDC.

Station policies and fuel prices change. Confirm details with the station and check current government price reports. This guide is general information, not safety or legal advice.