Bromic Patio Heaters: Electric vs Gas — Which to Buy in 2026
Bromic is the premium name in outdoor patio heaters, and the reason design-focused outdoor kitchens spec them is that they don't look like heaters — they look like architectural fixtures. The three product lines (Platinum, Tungsten, and Eclipse) all share the design language, but they solve different problems and cost different amounts to run.
Here's how to pick between electric and gas Bromic, and which model fits which install.
The one-line summary
Buy electric Bromic (Platinum Smart-Heat Electric or Tungsten Electric) if your patio has 240V/208V wiring available, you want zero fuel plumbing, and you're heating a bounded space (under a covered pergola, an enclosed patio, or an area under 200 sq ft per unit).
Buy gas Bromic (Platinum Smart-Heat Gas or Tungsten Smart-Heat Gas) if you have natural gas or LP available, want the highest heat output per unit, and are heating a larger open area.
Both look nearly identical when installed. The differences are install cost, run cost, and coverage area.
Bromic's three product lines
Platinum Smart-Heat — the flagship. Ceiling or wall-mount, sleek matte-black finish, available in Electric (2300W, 3400W) and Gas (500 series at 39,800 BTU). This is what you see in high-end restaurant patios.
Tungsten Smart-Heat — mid-tier. Also ceiling or wall-mount. Electric (3000W, 4000W, 6000W) or Gas (300 series at 26,900 BTU, 500 series at 43,600 BTU). Slightly less refined look than Platinum but same core heater tech.
Eclipse — the "pendant" style. Hangs from a chain or ceiling mount. Electric only. Designed for aesthetic-first installations where the heater IS the light fixture. Comes as Dimmer or standard controls.
All three lines use the same short-wave infrared technology. Heat travels in a direct line from the emitter to whatever it touches — people, furniture, ground — without heating the air in between. This is why they work in windy outdoor environments where a propane column heater would just push warm air away.
Electric vs gas: install & running cost
Electric install:
- Requires 240V or 208V, 15–30 amp circuit depending on wattage
- Hardwired to the fixture (no plug)
- Electrician cost: $200–$500 for the circuit + install
- No fuel line, no combustion, no venting requirements
Gas install:
- Requires natural gas or LP line to the fixture location
- Overhead gas plumbing typically needs a licensed plumber
- Plumber cost: $400–$1,500 depending on run distance and code
- Requires clearance for combustion products (typically 8+ ft ceiling for indoor-covered installs)
Electric running cost (approximate, at $0.15/kWh):
- 2300W Platinum: $0.35/hr
- 4000W Tungsten: $0.60/hr
- 6000W Tungsten: $0.90/hr
Gas running cost (approximate, at $1.20/therm NG):
- 39,800 BTU Platinum: $0.48/hr
- 43,600 BTU Tungsten: $0.52/hr
- 26,900 BTU Tungsten 300: $0.32/hr
Gas typically edges electric on running cost per BTU delivered, but the install cost usually swings it back toward electric being cheaper total-cost-of-ownership over 5 years.
Heat coverage per unit
Electric 2300W: ~50–75 sq ft coverage in still air, less in wind. Electric 4000W: ~100–150 sq ft. Electric 6000W: ~150–200 sq ft. Gas 26,900 BTU: ~120–180 sq ft. Gas 39,800 BTU: ~180–240 sq ft. Gas 43,600 BTU: ~200–275 sq ft.
Rules of thumb:
- Under a covered patio with walls on 2–3 sides: full rated coverage.
- Fully open patio: derate 30–40%.
- Windy site: derate another 20%.
For a typical outdoor kitchen — say, a 12x16 ft covered patio (192 sq ft) — one 6000W electric or one 39,800 BTU gas unit handles it. For a 20x25 ft area, plan on two units.
Where each Bromic model fits
Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Electric (2300W or 3400W) — small covered patios, dining nooks, above a specific seating area. Cleanest look of the line, dimmable, best when you want the heater invisible.
Bromic Platinum Smart-Heat Gas (500 series) — same aesthetic, needs gas line. For architects who want the Platinum look at bigger square footage.
Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat Electric (3000W–6000W) — workhorse for larger areas. Same tech as Platinum, less-refined housing, lower price. Best value in the Bromic lineup for "just heat this patio."
Bromic Tungsten Smart-Heat Gas (300 or 500 series) — same but gas-fed. 500 series has the highest BTU in the Bromic catalog and heats the largest single-unit coverage.
Bromic Eclipse Pendant — the "designer" pick. Hangs from ceiling on chains or a mount pole, becomes an intentional design element. Electric only. Adds ~$300–$500 to comparable Tungsten pricing for the aesthetic.
Mount options
All Bromic non-pendant models are ceiling or wall mount. Bromic sells:
- Ceiling recess kits — for units flush-mounted into a coffered ceiling
- Ceiling mount poles — for hanging from a soffit at a specific height
- Wall mount brackets — for horizontal mount on a wood or masonry wall
- Pendant kits — for the Eclipse; hangs from a fixed point via chains
The typical outdoor kitchen install: ceiling mount pole from the pergola beam, positioned 8–10 ft above the seating area, angled 15–30° toward where people sit. This is what most of the "Bromic-in-a-restaurant-patio" photos show.
What Bromic doesn't do well
- Freestanding: Bromic only makes ceiling/wall mount and pendant. If you need a freestanding column heater (the "flame column" style), look at Solaira, Sunglo, or Fire Sense. Bromic's philosophy is that portable heaters are ugly; they're not wrong, but they don't sell them.
- Cheap patio heating: Bromic starts at ~$1,200 for a 2300W Platinum electric. Comparable no-name electric infrared heaters are $200–$400. Bromic's premium is real (build quality, aesthetics, warranty) but it's not the budget pick.
Combined install: heater + outdoor kitchen
The way most of our shoppers spec a Bromic in an outdoor kitchen build:
- Above the cook zone: one Tungsten 4000W or 6000W electric mounted on the pergola beam, angled toward the cook. Keeps the person cooking warm on a 40°F night.
- Above the seating zone: one Platinum electric or Tungsten pendant Eclipse, dimmed. Ambient warmth without cooking-zone heat.
- Sometimes: a gas Tungsten 500 for coverage of a larger patio, with two electric Platinums as accents in specific zones.
Total install for a decent-scale outdoor kitchen: $2,500–$6,000 for 2–3 heaters + electric or gas install.
What NOT to buy for outdoor kitchen use
- Propane column heaters ($300–$800). The "mushroom" style. Fine for a tailgate; useless for a real outdoor kitchen. They heat air, not people, and outdoor air escapes constantly.
- Cheap Chinese-made infrared heaters ($150–$400). The technology is real but the housings fail in 2–3 seasons in wet climates.
- Electric fan heaters designed for indoor use. Blow air, not radiate — completely wrong for outdoor.
FAQ
Do Bromic heaters actually keep you warm at 30°F? Yes — infrared heats the object directly. You feel warm on the side facing the heater; the ambient air is still cold. Under a fully open sky at 20°F you'll want two units or move closer.
Can I install one myself? Wall-mount electric with a ready 240V circuit: yes, if you're comfortable with electrical. Ceiling mount, gas, or complex installs: hire a pro. Bromic's warranty is voided by DIY installs on gas units.
How long do they last? The emitter element is the wear part — typically 5,000–7,000 hours of operation. At 3 hours/day of use, that's 4.5–6.5 years. Replacement elements are ~$150–$250; not a total loss.
What's the warranty? Bromic's coverage varies by model — check the specific product's warranty card before purchase. As a general reference from Bromic's published warranty table: Platinum Electric carries a 3-year warranty; Tungsten Electric carries 2 years with 7 years on the heating element. Bromic updates their warranty terms periodically, so treat these as directional and verify the model-specific figures.
Do they work in the rain? Yes — Bromic heaters are IP-rated for outdoor exposure. Direct rain on a hot emitter is fine (they're designed for it). Snow accumulation isn't — brush off before running.
Can I put one under a wooden pergola? Yes, with clearance. Bromic specifies minimum 12"–18" clearance below wood ceilings depending on model. Read the spec sheet for the exact number.
Ready to spec your heat? Browse the full patio heater lineup or see the Bromic collection directly.