21
Cleaning & Maintenance
Your heater has been produced from highly weather resistant materials and only requires minimum cleaning
and maintenance. Cleaning must be performed when the heater is cold. Your patio heater will last longer if it
is cleaned and maintained properly. It is very important that the air required for the combustion process is not
blocked going to the burner. Orifices, burner venturis, vents, and other openings must be kept free of dirt and
spider webs.
The heater head should be cleared of soot and debris annually or if the flame characteristics change. Use only
compressed air for this maintenance. Never attempt to clean the emitter grid with cleaning solutions. Never
spray the heater head with water. A compressor with an ai
r stream nozzle or even ‘canned’ air will work well.
Removing the emitter grid allows access to the pilot and main burner for a ‘Blowout’. Any part or component
removed for cleaning or maintenance must be properly re-installed before using the heater.
Sta
inless steel does not “rust,” however varying atmospheric conditions, areas with acid rain, beach
and ocean areas with heavy misty conditions may leave deposits on the heater. This is to be expected
of any stainless-steel product used outdoors. We recommend washing the outer stainless-steel
components such as the post and decorative cover and perforated material around the lighting
instructions with a mild detergent solution and immediately wiping it clean with a dry soft cloth. The
stainless steel can be expected to darken and discolor around the heater head as it sustains extreme
temperatures. This is normal and to be expected with any outdoor gas heating appliance
.
Never use a cleaning agent that is flammable or corrosive
. There are several excellent stainless-steel
cleaners available through your local dealer for our stainless-steel models. If you do not find a suitable local
source call us directly and we can provide you with an excellent cleaner. Never spray any cleaning product on
the emitter grid or burner area.
If you purchased the painted, powder-coat model, treat it just like you would any other piece of fine outdoor
patio furniture. Wash all painted parts of the heater with a soapy solution and protect it with a coat of
automobile car wax a couple of times per year or as required dependent upon your local weather and climate
conditions.
If you need to touch up a painted heater only paint the post and base portions. Never paint above the post or
the LP cylinder. The burner ports must also be kept clear so that the burner burns evenly and the flow of gas
is not restricted.
The best protection for the critical heater head is a
Patio Comfort
cover that has been specifically designed
for your heater. The cover can be purchased at your
heater at your
dealer.
The painted powder coat heater post and base may be cleaned with soap and water and occasionally coated
with a car wax. Commercially available Stainless-Steel cleaners are best for the Stainless-Steel units. (WD40
works well in a pinch on the SS.
The heater head however should be cleared using compressed air only. These parts are constructed of
commercial quality stainless steel and brass and under normal use will require no other maintenance. All Patio
Comfort OEM parts are available if you need one.
All Patio Comfort heater head and gas control assemblies are 100% fire-tested prior to packaging. The
troubleshooting section below includes many of the most common calls and solutions but time and space limits
the comprehensiveness of the table. A pre-season clearing of insects, dirt, dust or debris from the heater head
using compressed air is recommended as well as using a cover for the head when it will be stored or not in use
for a while. Wiping down the painted and stainless-steel components keeps them looking new.
