Big Timber Patio Heater Review: How This Timber Stoves Wood Pellet Heater Transformed Our Patio
Why Choose a Big Timber for Your Outdoor Space?
The hardest part about enjoying our backyard during fall is how quickly the temperature drops once the sun goes down.
That is usually the moment when everyone starts glancing at each other, wondering if it is time to head indoors.
We love the fresh air and the slower pace of the evening, but the sudden drop in temperature tends to cut the gathering short long before anyone is ready to call it a night.
Finding a way to stretch those hours outside without huddling under a stack of heavy blankets or counting on a traditional bonfire that can get real smoky real quick can be tricky.
When we had the chance to try out the Big Timber Wood Pellet Patio Heater from Timber Stoves, we were looking for something that could solve that exact problem.
The fact that the Big Timber uses wood pellets and does not require wrestling with heavy propane tanks or anything electrical already was a HUGE plus.
Plus, with the price of propane, using pellets run at a quarter of the operating cost, while pumping out twice the amount of BTU’s.
We wanted something that felt like a permanent, quality addition to the patio rather than a temporary fix.
Not to mention, having friends and family over with younger kids, and our goldendoodle Kimchi roaming about, safety is top priority as hosts.
Our girls are older now, so spending time as a family has changed. Investing in a heat sources that literally encourages togetherness is priceless.
Here is what it is actually like to assemble and use the Big Timber with our family.
Unboxing and First Impressions: Heavy Steel and American Craftsmanship
The moment the Big Timber arrives, you can tell that this is not a lightweight box store purchase. Standing 84 inches tall and weighing 70 pounds, the unit has a substantial, industrial presence.
Even so, it is still portable.
Every single component, from the tall body down to the internal framing, is constructed from 100% stainless steel.
It really is impressive to look at and once it is built and placed in your space, it elevates it. There’s no doubt about it, and it is the first thing people notice when they arrive.
How Do You Assemble the Big Timber?
Setting up the Big Timber took us about two hours from start to finish. We started the assembly process at the base and worked our way up.
Everything you need to know is laid out in the step-by-step instruction manual.
Every part comes individually labeled and coded to match the part numbers in the manual, which makes sorting through everything beforehand pretty straightforward.
A significant chunk of that setup time is just peeling off the protective film from all the raw metal pieces.
Assembly requires basic hand tools, nothing fancy or complicated. A standard Phillips-head screwdriver is all you need to secure the bolts, lock washers, and nuts as you build up the frame.
Once the tower is completely built and before you light your first fire, you take the provided stainless steel finishing wipe and wipe down the exterior to remove any fingerprints or oils from your hands so they do not bake into the metal during the first burn.
With the heater assembled and wiped clean, you can fill the hopper with wood pellets, and it is ready to light.
It’s also important to note that the Big Timber has an upgrade you can add to extend your burn time.
Adding a Stainless Steel Firepot lasts twice as long as the original mild steel firepot.
The sidewalls and rod are made from a special high temp stainless steel alloy designed to withstand temperatures up to 2100° Fahrenheit.
That means about 1000 hours of use before having to replace it.
How It Works: Gravity, Physics, and No Cords
One of the biggest reliefs of switching to the Big Timber is the complete absence of electrical cords and propane tanks.
The entire system is non-electric and gravity-fed. There is no auger, no blower motor, and no electronic control board to fail.
The flame is powered entirely by gravity and the natural draft of the stainless steel stovepipe. You load wood pellets into the top hopper, let them feed down into the firepot, and light them.
Controlling the heat is completely mechanical. You use a damper temperature control dial to adjust the airflow and lower or raise temps (by 250°), along with a shut-off key to stop the fuel flow when you are ready to shut it down.
There is something deeply satisfying about using a heating appliance that relies purely on smart engineering rather than a power outlet.
The Fire, the View, and the Real Heat
Firing up the Big Timber was EXCITING. We used a fire gel and it fired up in seconds! The flame builds steadily and before you know it, the fire was roaring!
The experience is very different compared to a standard gas heater.
Instead of hiding the fire inside a closed metal box, the Big Timber features a three-sided viewing area made of heavy 5″ x 12″ glass panels.
What does that mean?
That wherever you are sitting around the patio, you get a front row seat to a roaring, natural wood fire that radiates warmth from the ground all the way up to its 12-foot heating radius.
You can literally feel it.
It heated our whole patio area that includes two Adirondack chairs and a whole patio couch and table.
You can feel the heat from wherever you sat. This is one of the biggest differences I noticed compared to other patio heaters we’ve owned.
The heater pushes out an impressive 85,000 BTUs, which easily eclipses the standard 48,000 BTU output of a typical propane tower.
It runs on premium Douglas-fir wood pellets, which consist of 100% pure fiber with zero chemical additives, meeting the strict standards of the Pellet Fuel Institute.
Since the fuel is dry and uniform, the burn is remarkably clean.
Founder Tyson Traeger explains:
“Smoke is a combustion problem, not a wood problem. Wood that burns hot and complete barely smokes at all. Wood that sits there and smolders will smoke you out of your own yard. That’s the whole reason a pellet behaves differently from a split log, the fuel is dry, it’s uniform, and it gets fed in at a steady rate. That’s the consistency that the pellet industry has developed.”
Once the stove reaches operating temperature, the efficient combustion makes the unit virtually smokeless.
So, you get the cozy ambiance of a campfire without smelling like a bonfire for the rest of the night.
Burn Time and Practical Accessories
Out of the box, the built-in 20-pound hopper holds enough fuel for roughly a two-hour burn.
At first, two hours might sound short if you are planning a long dinner party, but the hopper is fully refillable while the unit is actively running.
Tossing in another scoop of pellets takes ten seconds and keeps the fire rolling indefinitely without ever interrupting your conversation.
If you want to cut down on your trips to the pellet bag, there are a few practical upgrades worth knowing about to extend your burn time.
- Hopper Extension: This add-on increases your burn time by about an hour and a half, which is great for those nights when you want to set it and forget it for a while.
- Locking Caster Wheels: The Big Timber has little wheels on one side of the unit to tilt and move, but this upgrade is helpful to make it even more mobile.
- Weighted Plate: If your backyard catches a stiff breeze, this plate adds thirty pounds of ballast right at the base to keep the 70-pound tower completely secure.
Expert Placement Tips for Maximum Warmth
Setting up a radiant heat source is a bit different than heating an indoor room. When we positioned ours on the patio, we kept in mind some core advice from Tyson Traeger regarding placement:
“Think about where people stand, not square footage. Radiant heat only warms what it can see, so a unit parked at the edge of a space is mostly heating the fence. I’d rather have two smaller units where people actually are.”
That insight completely changed how we set up our seating arrangement.
Instead of placing it in one of the corners in our patio, we pulled it centrally in between our seating so the radiant warmth could hit us all directly and to get a cozy view all-around.
It was perfection.
See the Big Timber in Action
I know that we’ve talked a lot about the Big Timber, but now it’s time for you to see it in action. From loading the pellets, to watching the flames dance, and right down to roasting marshmallows. Check it out!
Big Timber FAQ’s
I had a lot of questions when we first got our Big Timber, I’ve included the ones that I was curious about below but, you can always go to their website to get answers to common questions that you may not have seen here.
Can the Big Timber stove be used on a wood or Trex deck?
Yes, Timber stoves can be used on wood or Trex decks but must be under a grill mat or heat pad.
How do I turn the Big Timber Patio Heater off?
Insert the shutoff key in the horizontal slot at the base of the hopper. Open the damper all the way and the fire will extinguish itself when all of the fuel in the stove burns completely.
How do I clean the Big Timber?
Wipe the glass with a damp rag when the stove is cool. Scrape in-between the fire pot bars when the gap between them becomes clogged and doesn’t allow air to freely pass through. You will only need to empty the ash pan once every 4-5 uses. Only empty the ash pan when the stove is off and at ambient temperature. Throw away the ash in a safe place away from any combustibles.
How do I get the pellets to start burning in the Big Timber?
A good choice for fire starters would be fire gel or charcoal lighter fluid. Add 1-2 tablespoons over the top of; the pellets inside the stove after the shutoff key is removed from your hopper. Light with a long match or barbeque lighter.
Bringing Our Family Together
After dinner, we settled around the Big Timber and we roasted marshmallows to make one of our favorite outdoor treats, s’mores.
Having a Timber Stove has enhanced our outdoor space for many years to come and has made entertainment possible all season long.
Ready to Invest in a Big Timber?
Honestly, my favorite part about using the Big Timber is all the memories we’ve already made and will continue to make for years to come.
Not to mention, it really is beautiful.
I’ve already spent nights sitting quietly with a warm drink watching the fire dance through the windows of our Big Timber.
Since we live in an area where our winters are a lot milder, we are used to brisk and cold weather, and spend more time outdoors well past autumn.
I’m looking forward to trying out a fireside fondue night or keep our Korean BBQ game going for a lot longer throughout the year!
If you want to bypass propane refills, broken electronic starters, and weak overhead heat, the Big Timber is a serious upgrade you need to consider.
We absolutely love it, and it was an easy choice to feature as a must-have in our Ultimate Fall Outdoor Cooking and Patio Guide.
Would you consider adding a Big Timber patio heater to your space?
Let me know, til then—cheers m’deres!
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Nancy Polanco is a freelance journalist, lifestyle content creator, and editor of Whispered Inspirations. She is a proud Mom to Gabby and Michaela and partner and best friend to Darasak. Having worked as part of a health care team for almost a decade, Nancy is happy to be back to her passion. She is a contributor to the Huffington Post, TODAY’s Parents, and an Oprah Magazine Brand Ambassador.
