Commercial Patio Heaters for Restaurants, Cafés & Hotels (2026 Guide)
Quick answer: For restaurants, cafés and hotels, freestanding propane flame towers such as the Planika Faro, Lighthouse, Pyramid and Bino warm guests and give them a real fire to look at. Start with one heater per table group, keep spare 20 lb tanks on a swap schedule, and check with your fire marshal and insurer before the first service. Prices start at $379 (October 2026).
In this guide
- Why flame towers suit hospitality
- Four Planika models for commercial terraces
- How many heaters for a restaurant patio
- Fire marshal and insurer first
- Propane logistics: spares, swaps and storage
- Staff routine: lighting, shutdown and checks
- Wind and placement on a busy terrace
- Durability, covers and the 2-year warranty
- Shipping and ordering several units
- FAQ
Why flame towers suit hospitality
A heater on a restaurant terrace has two jobs. It has to keep guests comfortable enough to order dessert, and it has to look right in a space you spent real money designing. Classic mushroom heaters do the first job but look like equipment.
Planika Pyramid towers between tables on a restaurant terrace at night.
Flame towers put a real fire behind glass, with the propane tank hidden in the base. Guests see a live flame from their seat, the unit reads as a lantern or a piece of decor, and it still looks good in photos when it is off.
- Ambience: a moving flame sets the mood the moment it is lit, which a glowing element cannot do.
- Clean look: no visible tank, no hoses on the floor, no installer needed.
- Flexible layout: wheels or handles let staff reposition heaters when you change the floor plan.
Want the design side and the home-patio view? Our guide to modern tower patio heaters covers how flame towers compare with mushroom and pyramid heaters. This guide is about running them as a business.
The Lighthouse on the terrace of Hotel Copernicus in Toruń, Poland.
Planning a terrace for this season?
Tell us your layout and table count and we will suggest models and quantities.
Ask for a quoteFour Planika models for commercial terraces
All four are freestanding propane fireplaces made by Planika. Each hides a standard 20 lb tank in the base, ships with a regulator and hose (tank not included) and comes with a protective cover. Prices below are as of October 2026, with free shipping to the 48 contiguous states.
The Planika Faro: slim, mobile and the all-round choice for dining terraces.
Planika Faro: $469
17,100 to 27,300 BTU/h, adjustable. 58.9 in tall on a 14.2 x 14.2 in base, 44 lb, piezo ignition, wheels and grip handles. Sets up in about 10 minutes.
Planika Lighthouse: $749
23,890 to 34,120 BTU/h on one knob, the most heat in the range. 62 in tall on a 15.7 in base, electronic control panel, castors with a locking brake. Felt about 3 to 6 ft around the tower.
A Lighthouse outside a restaurant entrance in Sweden.
Planika Pyramid: $549
Up to 28,000 BTU/h. 44 lb, borosilicate glass flame shield, thermocouple and tilt sensor that shut off the gas if the flame goes out or the unit tips, wheels with brakes, push-button ignition on one AAA battery.
Planika Bino: $379
Up to 27,300 BTU/h in a compact round column with grip handles. Control panel on one AAA battery. A good fit for café tables, smaller terraces and hotel patios.
Torn between the two most popular models? Our Faro vs Lighthouse comparison goes through heat, size and look side by side.
How many heaters for a restaurant patio
Plan heaters around table groups, not around square footage of the whole terrace. A flame tower warms the people near it, so the question is how many tables sit within its reach.
What the product pages say about warmth
The Lighthouse (34,120 BTU/h max) is felt about 3 to 6 ft around the tower and is meant for one lounge or dining group. The Faro (27,300 BTU/h max) is rated for zones of about 6 to 12 m² (roughly 65 to 130 sq ft), depending on wind, temperature and placement. The Pyramid (28,000 BTU/h) and Bino (27,300 BTU/h) list output only. Treat these as a starting point, not a guarantee.
One Pyramid anchoring a dining table and lounge corner on a rooftop terrace.
From there, sketch your floor plan and place one heater per group. These layouts are a sensible first pass:
Row of two-tops along a wall
One heater between every pair of tables, set slightly forward so it does not block the walkway.
Four- to six-tops
One heater per table, at the corner that faces the open side of the terrace.
Long communal or banquet tables
One heater at each end at minimum; add more along the long side if guests in the middle feel cold.
Hotel lounge or rooftop bar
One per sofa group. The Lighthouse suits deeper seating areas thanks to its higher output.
Run the plan for a few cold services, ask servers which tables guests avoid, and fill the gaps. It is easier to add a heater to a cold corner than to remove clutter from a crowded floor.
Fire marshal and insurer first
Commercial use of propane heaters is regulated by the local fire code, and the rules differ by city and state. Local rules can cover where heaters stand, how many spare tanks you keep and who may handle them. Your fire marshal decides, not the heater maker and not us.
Before your first service
Call your local fire marshal and your insurance carrier. Share the model names, how many units you plan and where they will stand, and ask about tank storage and any permit or inspection. Keep their answers on file. Propane heaters are for outdoor use only, never indoors or in an enclosed space.
If part of your terrace sits under an awning or pergola, read our note on using a propane fireplace on a covered patio and keep the clearances in the manual.
Need help matching models to your terrace?
Send your floor plan or a few photos and we will suggest a starting count.
Get terrace advicePropane logistics: spares, swaps and storage
Every model runs on a standard 20 lb propane tank, the same one used for a gas grill. How long one lasts depends on the model and the flame setting; our Planika review has the burn-time numbers for each.
A pair of Pyramids at a restaurant entrance in France.
The practical side is a simple system so no heater runs empty on a full Friday night:
- Keep spares: hold at least one full tank in reserve so a server can swap mid-service.
- Pick a swap partner: set up a regular exchange or refill pickup with a local propane supplier rather than ad hoc runs.
- Label tanks: mark full and empty tanks clearly so nobody connects an empty one.
- Store by the rules: where and how many spare tanks you may keep is set by your fire marshal. Never store tanks indoors.
- Assign one owner: one manager per shift is responsible for tank levels and swaps.
Staff routine: lighting, shutdown and checks
Flame towers are easy to run, but on a busy terrace different people light them every night. A short written routine, taken from the manual, keeps it consistent.
The Faro control knob: piezo ignition and flame height on the base.
Opening
- Check the hose and regulator for damage before connecting.
- Open the tank valve, then light with the piezo or push-button ignition on the control panel, following the steps in the manual.
- Set the flame height for the evening and lock the wheels.
During service
- Keep menus, napkins, umbrellas and cushions away from the glass, which gets hot.
- Move a heater only when it is off and cool.
- Swap tanks only with the heater switched off.
Closing
- Turn the control knob off, then close the tank valve.
- Let the glass cool fully before putting the cover on.
- Note any tank that needs a swap tomorrow.
Pyramid control panel with the flame knob and ignition button.
Print the routine on a card and keep it with the closing checklist. New staff learn it in one shift, and your fire marshal will like seeing it.
Wind and placement on a busy terrace
Wind is the biggest reason a heater feels weaker than its BTU number. On an open terrace, a breeze carries warmth away before it reaches the guests.
Rooftop terraces get more wind, so place towers on the sheltered side.
- Put heaters on the side the wind comes from, so warmth drifts over the tables.
- Use walls, planters and glass screens as windbreaks, keeping the clearances in the manual.
- Keep walkways and exits clear; servers carry trays at speed.
- Stand each heater on a flat, stable surface and lock the wheels.
- Stay away from umbrellas, awnings, plants and railings.
- On very windy nights, switch off and wait for calmer weather.
Durability, covers and the 2-year warranty
Commercial terraces are hard on furniture. The Planika towers are built from galvanized steel (powder-coated on the Faro, Lighthouse and Bino) with tempered or borosilicate glass, and every model includes a protective cover against rain, dust and sun.
Every model ships with a cover. Use it every night once the unit is cool.
Planika fireplaces sold by Chic Home Deco carry a 2-year US warranty. Covering units nightly, wiping the glass and checking hoses each season keeps them looking good in front of guests.
Shipping and ordering several units
Chic Home Deco is an authorized US dealer for Planika. All four models ship free to the 48 contiguous states, and Planika orders usually leave our New Jersey warehouse in 1 to 2 business days.
The compact Bino fits café tables and rooftop lounges.
Ordering for a venue
- Email mike@chichomedeco.com or call +1 (570) 813-8570.
- Or use the outdoor heating quote form.
- Include your venue type, table count, models you like and delivery address.
- We confirm stock and the shipping plan for your quantity.
Orders of $2,000 or more qualify for 0% APR for 12 months through Affirm, subject to approval. Not sure propane is right at all? Our patio heater buying guide compares propane, natural gas and electric.
Ordering heaters for a restaurant or hotel?
Send your table count and we will put together a quote for your terrace.
Request a quotePlanning a permanent feature for the entrance? Installed gas fire towers are covered in our gas fire tower planning guide; portable and installed options are compared in the fire columns and fire towers guide.
Frequently asked questions
How many patio heaters does a restaurant patio need?
Start with one flame tower per table group or seating area, then adjust after a few cold services. The Lighthouse warms about 3 to 6 feet around it and the Faro an area of about 6 to 12 square meters, so long tables and windy corners usually need a second unit.
Are propane patio heaters allowed on a restaurant patio?
Commercial use of propane heaters is regulated by your local fire code, so the answer depends on your city. Ask your fire marshal and your insurer before the first service, and get their rules on placement, tank storage and staff training in writing.
Where should a restaurant keep its spare propane tanks?
Wherever your fire marshal says. Storage rules for propane cylinders at a business are set locally, so ask before you buy spares. Never keep tanks inside the dining room, kitchen or basement.
Can staff move the heaters during service?
Yes, all four models are built to move: the Faro and Pyramid have wheels, the Lighthouse has castors with a locking brake, and the Bino has grip handles. Move a heater only when it is switched off and the glass has cooled, then lock the wheels again.
Can the heaters stay on the terrace overnight?
Each model comes with a protective cover, so you can leave the heaters outside once they are off, cool and covered. Close the tank valve at the end of the night and follow your fire marshal's rules if tanks may not stay in the units after hours.
How do I order several heaters for my business?
Email mike@chichomedeco.com or use our outdoor heating quote form with your venue type, the number of tables and the models you like. We will confirm stock and the shipping plan for your order.
