At wife's restaurant they've tried the freestanding ones on their patio....gives heat in a 8'radius but really not cost effective. They were going thru a tank of propane per unit per night.
What we found that gave off the best heat for the cost and everybody enjoys is a fire pit. Picked up a couple of these and a cord of wood and everybody seems to enjoy them. About 40" diameter and they give off a good amount of heat. They were about $80/each at Sam's. Of course everybody smell like they have been camping but who cares?
