If you run a restaurant with outdoor seating, patio heat isn't decoration — it's the difference between filling those tables in November and watching them sit empty. Infrared heating is worth understanding before you buy, and the reason is simple: it heats people, not the air that blows away.
Why Infrared, and Not the Mushroom Heaters
The propane mushroom heater is a familiar choice, and it's the wrong tool. It heats air. Outdoors, air moves — so the heat leaves before it reaches anyone. You end up with a warm column directly above the unit and cold guests three feet away.
Infrared works differently. It heats objects and people directly, the way sunlight does, rather than heating the air in between. Wind matters far less.
The Propane Cost Problem
Propane is a fuel cost you buy by the cylinder, at whatever the price is that week. For an operator running six to ten gas heaters through a full season, that's a line item that moves — and it's unpredictable, which is worse. You can't price a menu against a fuel cost you don't control.
This is why electric is worth a look. No tank swaps mid-service, no fuel purchases, no staff hauling cylinders. You pay for electricity, which is already metered and already in your budget.
Mounting: The Decision That Comes First
Before you compare models, work out where the heat is going. This determines everything else. Every mounted Bromic heater, gas or electric, must be installed under cover and protected from rain.
Ceiling or overhead mount
Units mount above the seating area and radiate down. Nothing takes up floor space, nothing gets knocked over, and coverage is even across a table. Requires a covered patio, pergola, or awning with adequate clearance — Bromic's mounted gas heaters need 8 ft from the floor to the underside of the unit and 3 ft above to combustibles (14" with the heat shield). Where the space has a roof and more than two walls, mounted gas heaters need at least 25% of the total wall area open.
Wall mount
Good for perimeter seating, narrow patios, and along building walls, as long as the heater is under cover. Angled to project heat across the seating zone. Less flexible than overhead but easier to install.
Freestanding
Portable, no installation, and you reposition it as the layout changes. Freestanding units suit operators who rearrange seasonally or who lease the space and can't modify the structure.
The tradeoff is floor space and the fact that anything freestanding can be knocked into. Commercial-grade freestanding units are heavy for that reason — the Bromic Eclipse Freestanding weighs 383 lb.
What We Carry
We're an authorized Bromic dealer. Bromic is an Australian brand, and it covers all three mounting formats.
Tungsten Smart-Heat
Gas models in 300 and 500 series (26,000 and 43,000 BTU/hr input), plus a freestanding portable version. Straightforward and effective.
Platinum Smart-Heat
Slimmer profile, available in gas and electric. The electric models come in 2300W, 3400W and 4500W in black or white, and are worth considering for the fuel-cost reasons above.
Eclipse Smart-Heat
The design piece. A pendant version for ceiling mounting and a freestanding version on a weighted base. Specified where the heater is part of the look, not just equipment.
How Many Do You Need?
That depends on your patio dimensions, ceiling height, how exposed the space is, and how your tables are arranged. There's no honest rule of thumb — a covered courtyard and an open sidewalk patio of the same square footage need completely different setups. Bromic's published coverage figures (65–215 sq ft per unit depending on model) are the starting point; our Bromic sizing guide walks through how to apply them →
Send us your patio dimensions and a photo and we'll tell you what the coverage actually requires. We'd rather quote it right than sell you two units that don't do the job.
Buying for a Commercial Space
A few things worth knowing before you order:
- Electrical capacity. Every mounted Bromic electric heater is hardwired on its own dedicated 208–240 V circuit; the 4500W draws up to 21.6 A. Check with your electrician before you commit to a layout. The Platinum Electric 220–240V and 208V versions are separate part numbers.
- Gas line access. Fixed gas units need a line run plus a 110 V outlet for ignition. Freestanding propane units don't, but you're back to tank management.
- Multiple units. Call or text and we'll spec the full set of heaters for your patio. We have a contractor and trade program for designers and contractors.
Shipping
Freight to the lower 48 is included, with liftgate delivery. Inspect the shipment before you sign; if anything is damaged, note it on the delivery receipt and call us. We'll handle the claim with the distributor and manufacturer.
Talk to Us Before You Order
Getting the layout right matters as much as the equipment. Tell us the space, the seating plan, and whether you have gas, and we'll spec it properly. We don't install — your licensed installer/contractor does.
Call or text us → | Call or text (814) 440-4817 — American Hearth Supply, Authorized Bromic Dealer
