Fireplaces Archives - Primrose Blog

Amie, Barbecues, Chimeneas, Events, Fireplaces, Gardening Year, Heated Clothing, How To, Outdoor Heating, Patio Heaters

Ways to Keep Warm This Winter with Primrose

We hate to admit it to ourselves, but the chill is slowly creeping upon us, and before we know it, winter will have reared its bitter head. The summer month of August wasn’t even that great, with lower than average temperatures. It was also the wettest August across south-east England since 1977! What ever happened to the great British summers? Thankfully we’ve the warm wintery months right? Oh..

Worried about throwing a party and leaving your guests to shiver in the cold? Concerned about getting frostbite when you walk the dogs? Fear not though people, for Primrose have the solution to all your troubles.

1. Patio Heaters
Although I definitely do not advocate smoking, outdoor heating has certainly grown and developed since the indoor ban in 2008, especially in pubs, clubs and bars.

Ideal for gardens, patios or even inside a gazebo, there is a huge range of gas and electric heaters to choose from; freestanding and hanging to wall mounted and tabletop. I’d personally recommend a freestanding patio heater. Not only do they look stunning in any garden setting, they are very versatile, with adjustable height settings, offering light and heat, can be used indoor and outdoor, and heat a large area, up to 15sqm.

They aren’t very expensive either; an ideal low cost way to maintain heat if you plan on being outside. Great for congregating round and having a chit chat over the latest episode of the Apprentice. Even better if you plan on keeping the grandparents warm whilst you let off fireworks this week.

2. Chimineas
Described as a freestanding fireplace or oven, usually with a vertical smoke vent or chimney, these great inventions originated from Mexico over 500 years ago. Another interesting fact for you; the Mexicans (and incidentally the US) refer to them as ‘chimeneas’. Us English folk like to be different don’t we?

Their original purpose was to keep families warm by burning bits of wood and sticks, with the chimney chute designed to keep the rain at bay. They were also typically made out of clay, a material which still remains very popular with a lot of chimineas you can buy today but the evolution of the design process has allowed for other materials such as cast iron (strong, durable, sturdy and a great conductor of heat) and steel (lighter than cast iron, but often very modern in design).

Primrose has over 100 chimineas to choose from, and they are a perfect solution for keeping guests warm and cosy during the long evenings of storytelling and wine drinking. What’s better is that they even look superb in any garden setting and you could even cook a burger on one if you fancy!

3. BBQs
Ok so this might be a tad ambitious given the time of year, but what better way to keep warm than to congregate around a warm fire, with the smell of freshly cooked food whiffing in the air. You can’t beat a proper, British BBQ, and with bonfire night nearing, they’re ideal for parties. Just grab your marshmallows for some delightful bonfire night s’mores.

You have a whole host of shapes, styles and sizes to choose from, the possibilities are endless. Charcoal BBQs are perhaps the most traditional style, and one of the most popular too. You get the authentic smoky taste that only a charcoal BBQ can provide and if you choose one with a lid, you maximise the smoky flavour by trapping the scents and flavours, giving you the extra oomph and zing.

Next time you find a cold, crisp, dry evening to spare and you’re looking for inspiration, why not choose a good old British BBQ and invite the friends and family round. Just make sure you bring the beer and buns.

4. Heated Clothing
Finally, we arrived at heated clothing. This is something which I cannot advocate enough. It was last winter and a group of friends wanted to go watch a firework display. Great I thought, I love fireworks. But oh no, standing around in the cold for an hour got the better of me. I wasn’t able to hold a sparkler as my fingers were turning blue. At that point, my friend leant me his heated gloves. This magical invention (which I had never actually heard of up until this point) was superb! My hands were very toasty, without the need to sit by a fire.

Gloves, insoles, scarves, jackets, gilets, socks, there are so many options. They’re really easy to use too. Simply insert a battery (in most cases) and voila, you’ll feel the instant warmth. Primrose have brand new heated insoles this year, which are controlled via Bluetooth through your smart phone. Clever eh?

Heated clothing is also great if you do any cold weather sports or activities such as skiing, motorcycling, walking or you just fancy a trip to Antarctica to see the polar bears (now who wouldn’t?!).

Never go cold again!

What measures do you take to keep warm over the winter months?

Amie is a marketing enthusiast, having worked at Primrose since graduating from Reading University in 2014.
She enjoys all things sport. A keen football fan, Amie follows Tottenham Hotspur FC, and regularly plays for her local 5 a side football team.
To see the rest of Amie’s posts, click here.

Cat, Chimeneas, Fire Pits, Fireplaces, Heated Clothing, Outdoor Heating, Patio Heaters

Brave the Cold with Heated Clothing!

Winter’s here!

We’ve got temperatures as low as -4°C coming up this weekend.

Keep warm with our huge range of over 60 heated clothing items including:

“An excellent buy. Recommended.”

How about heating your patio and looking after your plants’ needs?

Keep Warm with Primrose!

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Cat works in the marketing team and is responsible for online marketing, social media and the newsletter.
She spends most of her time reading about a variety of interesting facts, such as oddly named Canadian towns, obscure holidays and unusual gardening.
She mostly writes about Primrose news and current events.

See all of Cat’s posts.

Cat, Chimeneas, Fire Pits, Fireplaces, Outdoor Heating, Patio Heaters

The Heat is On!

Foggy days and crisp evenings don’t mean that you have to give up your patio! You can easily extend your summer with one of our Firefly heaters. Perfect for indoor and outdoor use, they can be easily installed and will keep you cosy.

Keep warm with Primrose!

Not sure if a patio heater is what you’re looking for? How about one of our other many outdoor heating solutions:

Too dark? Our garden lights and candles will illuminate your evenings!

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Cat works in the marketing team and is responsible for online marketing, social media and the newsletter.
She spends most of her time reading about a variety of interesting facts, such as oddly named Canadian towns, obscure holidays and unusual gardening.
She mostly writes about Primrose news and current events.

See all of Cat’s posts.

Chimeneas, Fire Pits, Fireplaces, Outdoor Heating

Outdoor Heating

Now that winter is fast approaching, it’s a good time to start thinking about how to keep warm whilst enjoying your garden over the coming months. There are so many different types of outdoor heater that can suit any garden style, taste or price limit. Here we’ll run through just a few of the options available to you, along with their relative benefits and costs.

Electric Heaters

Electric heaters are a great source of heat, and are extremely easy to use which is probably why they have become so popular. All you really need to get up and running is a nearby electrical output, although these heaters work best in smaller areas, so are ideal if you’re looking to create an intimate patio setting, and work well in sheltered or enclosed areas.

One advantage is that, contrary to popular belief, electric heaters are actually quite eco-friendly. They don’t consume vast amounts of energy, and also don’t release soot and other nasties into the air. Another plus is that they warm up almost instantaneously, meaning you can have instant heat as and when you need it.

Of course, another advantage is that there are now so many styles and varieties to choose from, that you can find most styles to suit your own tastes. You can have stylish, free-standing heaters that can blend right in with your other garden décor, or you can have simple, wall-mounted halogen heaters for something a bit more functional. Of course, you have to take into account that they only cover a limited area, but if you’re only looking for a small heated area, then an electric patio heater could be right for you.

Chimeneas

This is another type of garden heater that has recently become very popular. Originating from Mexico, these free-standing open fireplaces make a great addition to any garden, and are a fantastic traditional way to bring heat and ambience into your garden.

Whilst they were originally made from clay, there are now a wide range of materials, designs and sizes to suit all gardens and personalities. From traditional clay, beautiful cast iron and contemporary steel, there really is something for everything.

One thing to bear in mind of course is that you will need a source of fuel, which could start to add up if you don’t have endless amounts of wood laying about! Nevertheless, chimeneas look fantastic and come with added bonuses – My personal favourite is wrapping a potato in foil and throwing it in, for a delicious evening meal. You can also get some fantastic accessories, including scented firelighters to help delicately flavour your barbecues as well as creating a pleasant, fragrant environment.

Fire Bowls, Baskets and Pits

If you’re looking for something a bit different, then a fire pit may just be the thing for you. Whilst it may sound like a bare open hole in your garden, a fire pit is actually a fire contained in a free-standing, decorative basket or bowl on legs. They too come in a vast array of styles and finishes, and many also include safety features which are ideal if you’re concerned about an open fire around small children and pets.

The most basic version are fire baskets, which are literally steel or iron baskets in which to burn wood or coal. Most come with a grill, and it’s also wise to check whether a tray is supplied which can collect the fallen embers and ash, making cleaning up a lot easier.

If you’re looking for something slightly more decorative, then a fire bowl may be just the thing. These are a lot more contained, and usually come with a lid or insert, making them perhaps slightly safer.

All will usually come with grills, meaning they can make a stylish alternative to the standard barbecue. What’s great about them is that they are generally small and lightweight, making them ideal to stick in the back of the car if you’re taking a trip to the beach or going camping. The only downside of these fire pits is that, due to the fact there is no chimney, they can smoke rather a lot.

Outdoor fireplaces

For the ultimate statement in outdoor heating, you could always opt for an outdoor fireplace. There’s nothing quite like the ambient glow of an open fire inviting you in, and these can really enhance the environment if you’re entertaining outside. While this category could technically also include chimeneas and fire pits, the difference in style and cost warrants its own special mention.

They are by far the most expensive of outdoor heating options, but can be such beautiful, permanent fixtures and could even add value to your home. You can opt for ready made fireplaces that make the whole thing a lot easier, and even better means you can take them with you if you ever move home.

It will probably be cheaper to build your own, and whilst this could be a bit more effort, it means that you can build it to look like an existing wall, for a truly authentic feel (although you may want to check your local planning codes beforehand!). Outdoor fireplaces are great both for when you are hosting guests, or even if you just want to relax outside with a book and a glass of wine. You can cook a huge variety of things on them and they can create a real focal point in your garden.