Stop Losing Money on Your Patio This Winter
Let’s be honest: outdoor dining in the winter is usually a nightmare. You put out those standard space heaters, but the second a breeze hits, all that warmth just floats away. You’re basically paying to heat the sky. That’s why we use shortwave infrared. Instead of trying to warm up the air—which is impossible outdoors—these heaters go straight for the target. They warm up your guests and their chairs directly. It’s the difference between trying to heat a whole room and just standing in a patch of sunlight on a cold day. The secret to a bigger check Here is the thing about people: if they’re shivering, they want to leave. Period. When a guest sits down and feels that immediate, cozy warmth, they relax. They stop thinking about the cold and start thinking about that second glass of wine or the dessert menu. It’s simple. When people feel good, they stay longer. And when they stay longer, your average check goes up. Getting the setup right You can’t just grab a cheap heater from a big-box store and call it a day. It won’t work. If you’ve got high ceilings, you need high-density quartz elements. Now, the higher you hang them, the more area you cover, but you lose some of that “punch.” We usually fix that by cranking up the wattage. But a word of warning: these things are power-hungry. They pull a lot of current. If your electrical panel isn’t ready for it, you’re going to be tripping breakers right in the middle of the Friday night rush. We usually suggest zoning them, so you only power the tables that actually have people sitting at them. Finding the sweet spot It’s a bit of a balancing act. If you mount the heaters too low, your guests will have toasted heads and freezing toes. Too high, and the wind wins. You have to find that perfect middle ground based on your specific ceiling. And one last tip: think about the vibe. These lamps can be pretty bright. If you want a soft, moody atmosphere, go with gold-coated reflectors. If you don’t mind the light, clear is the way to go.