Warm Up Your Backyard

Danny Lipford Advises Viewers On Outdoor Heating Products

(CBS)  As the cold weather rolls in, many homeowners are looking for ways to extend the summer season and the amount of time they can spend enjoying backyard patios and decks.

Danny Lipford, host of "Today's Homeowner," visits The Early Show to talk about a variety of portable outdoor fireplaces and heating units that are safe, attractive, affordable and easy to use. Homeowners can choose between wood-burning, gas or propane units.

CHIMENEAS

Chimeneas have been used by Mexicans since the 17th century, both as bread ovens and to heat their homes on cool desert nights. Now, they are becoming increasingly popular in American life with homeowners who use them to heat up their backyards.

• Arabela Antique Bronze Chimenea $375
  Chimeneas are traditionally made from clay and must be placed on a metal stand. However, they are breakable and difficult to transport. An increasingly popular alternative is a cast-iron Chimenea. This model ensures greater longevity and uses a multitude of fuel including logs, gelled fuels and even candles.
  
  
• Metal Chim $325
  This model can turn any outdoor gathering into a special event. It provides a gentle heat and the soft glow of a real wood fire. There is mesh on all sides and a cap to protect your home and grounds. The Metal Chim is very easy to set up and can burn wood, pellets, etc.

FIREPIT KETTLES

Firepits have also become a popular way to create warmth in the backyard and can be either built right into your yard, constructed above ground, or can be completely portable.

• The Enchantment $395
  This kettle provides an instant outdoor fireplace that can even serve as a cooking surface. Constructed from durable cold rolled steel, the Enchantment comes with a cooking grill, poker and spark cover. It is completely portable, weighing 60 pounds, and can burn charcoal or wood. It provides both warmth and an almost magical feel to your backyard.

PATIO HEATERS

Long used by restaurants to heat outdoor seating for patrons, patio heaters have become more affordable at the consumer level and are available in all sizes and shapes.

• Model 10 - Industrial Triple Dome $589
  This 7-foot, 7-inch high heater will heat a circular area of between 12 and 15 feet and can operate for up to 10 hours on a 20-pound tank of propane. Equipped with a "Safety Tilt Switch", the gas automatically shuts off if the heater tilts too far to one side.
  
  
  
• Model 9 - Tabletop Outdoor Heater $149
  This model is three feet high and, as the name suggests, can sit on top of an outdoor picnic table. It will heat up to a 10-foot radius and also operates on propane.

GAS CAMPFIRES

• Model PCF $249.99
  Capitalizing on the advancements of gas fireplaces, this portable fireplace can create the look and feel of a real campfire, right in your backyard. The system includes a stainless steel burner and ceramic concrete logs. Homeowners will have the choice to finish the campfire with their own decorative surroundings, using rocks, bricks or stones.