Cuisinart COH-514 Tabletop Patio Heater Review — Cozy Heat for Small Outdoor Setups

There’s a specific kind of outdoor cold that doesn’t ruin the evening — it just slowly pushes everyone inside. You start with a jacket. Then you’re hovering closer to the table. Then someone says, “Want to head in?” and the night’s basically over.

This Cuisinart Portable Tabletop Patio Heater is aimed at that exact moment. Based on customer feedback, it’s not trying to warm the entire yard. It’s trying to make a small patio setup feel livable — long enough to finish dinner, keep the conversation going, or enjoy coffee on a chilly morning.

Quick verdict

Customers who love it tend to use it the same way: close by, at table height, in a somewhat protected spot. In that role, people describe it as cozy, good-looking, and surprisingly effective.

Customers who dislike it usually wanted one of two things: more distance (heat you can feel across the patio) or longer run time without dealing with small propane bottles. If that’s you, the reviews make one thing pretty clear: this heater is happiest as a “small gathering zone” tool, not a wide-area solution.

What the heat feels like in real life

Most positive reviews describe the warmth as immediate and satisfying — especially when you’re seated nearby. People talk about it “taking the chill off” and making cold evenings feel comfortable again, particularly in the 40s and even down into the 30s if you’re sitting close.

But the same theme keeps coming up from both fans and critics: it’s a close-range heater. Several reviewers say the warmth drops off quickly once you move a couple feet away. The best-case setup is a small round table where everyone is naturally within the heat zone. In that scenario, owners say it works exactly how they hoped it would.

Wind changes everything

Outdoor heating always has one boss, and it’s wind.

A lot of customers mention that the heater feels great as long as it isn’t windy, and that breezes can make the warmth feel noticeably weaker. That’s why screened porches, covered patios with curtains, and sheltered corners tend to produce the happiest feedback.

If your patio is wide open and exposed, reviews suggest you’ll either need to sit very close or consider a larger, higher-output heater.

Fuel reality: the 1 lb bottle convenience tradeoff

Here’s the honest trade: the small green 1 lb propane bottles are convenient, portable, and easy — but many owners say they don’t last long enough for extended hangouts.

A lot of reviewers recommend the same upgrade: use an adapter hose to connect a 20 lb tank. People who do that tend to stop complaining about fuel almost entirely, because it turns the heater into something you can run for longer evenings without constantly swapping bottles.

The flip side is cost. Multiple reviews mention that the adapter hose (and sometimes a cover) feels like an “extra purchase” you should plan for if you want the best long-term experience.

Lighting and day-to-day use

Most owners say it’s simple once you learn the rhythm — but lighting is also the most common annoyance.

Several reviewers mention you may need to hold the knob in longer than expected for the flame to stay lit, and a smaller group reports igniters that take multiple clicks (or, in rare cases, stop working after a few uses). The overall vibe from reviews is: it’s not complicated, but it can be a little picky.

Once it’s running, people like that it’s quiet. No roaring fan, no annoying mechanical noise — just warmth while you eat, talk, or scroll sports scores in peace.

Design and build: small, sturdy, and nicer-looking than expected

Customers repeatedly describe it as well made and stable, with a look that feels more “patio décor” than camping gear. It gets compliments for being attractive on a table, and several mention it’s sturdier than cheaper tabletop heaters they’ve owned.

It’s also described as larger than it appears in photos by some buyers — not giant, but worth noting if your table is small. The common advice is simple: make sure you’ve got a sturdy surface.

Safety notes customers keep repeating

One thing comes through loud and clear: the top gets extremely hot. Reviewers warn against grabbing or moving it too soon after it’s been running. More than one person recommends giving it a real cool-down window before handling.

The safety tilt shutoff is appreciated, and the guard helps, but the best real-world safety tip from customers is just awareness: treat it like a serious heat source, not a candle.

Who it’s best for

This is a strong fit if you want:

• Close-range warmth for a small patio table or bistro setup
• A heater that looks good and doesn’t dominate your space
• A portable option for screened porches, tailgates, camping, or covered patios
• A quiet heater that doesn’t ruin conversation

Who should skip it

You may want a different style if you need:

• Wide heat coverage across an open seating area
• Strong performance in windy, exposed patios
• Long run times without buying a hose adapter and larger tank