In-depth review
Dr Infrared DR-238 Review
A detailed review of the Dr Infrared DR-238: 1500W carbon infrared heating for covered patios.
Dr Infrared Dr Infrared DR-238 Heater
1500W carbon infrared heater, wall or ceiling mountable.
Our verdict
The DR-238 is the most practical heater here for covered, wind-exposed patios: 1500W of carbon infrared warms people directly, the IP55 rating handles outdoor moisture, and wall mounting frees the floor. The trade-off is scope; it heats a seating zone, not a patio, and it is useless without an outdoor outlet in reach.
What we like
- Infrared heat warms people and objects, not the air, so wind does not steal it
- IP55 rating handles outdoor moisture on covered patios
- Wall or ceiling mount frees all floor space
- No fuel, no flame, no refills: plugs into a standard outlet
What to watch out for
- 1500W heats a seating zone, not a whole patio like 48,000 BTU towers
- Requires an outdoor-rated outlet within cord reach
- Line-of-sight heating: blocked by furniture or bodies in between
Who it is for
Owners of covered patios, gazebos, and garages who want instant heat with no fuel, no flame, and no floor footprint.
How infrared changes the equation
Carbon infrared is radiant heat: it travels in a straight line and warms skin, clothing, and furniture directly instead of warming air. That is why wind barely affects it; there is no heated air column to blow away. Bob Vila's published coverage of infrared patio heating confirms the felt warmth in a seating zone rivals much higher-BTU convection heaters. The 1500W rating draws a full standard circuit, so plan the electrical layout.
Mounting and placement
Wall or ceiling mounting is the DR-238's space advantage: zero floor footprint on patios where a tower would crowd seating. Mount it above and slightly in front of the seating area per the manual's height guidance; infrared is line-of-sight, so a body or tall chair back between the element and you blocks the warmth.
Weather rating and limits
The IP55 rating means it withstands dust and water jets, which covers rain on a covered patio. It is not rated for full immersion or for mounting where it takes direct downpour. The carbon element has a long documented service life, but like all infrared heaters it provides no residual warmth; when it switches off, the heat stops immediately.
How it stacks up
Against the Amazon Basics tower, the DR-238 delivers far less total heat (1500W vs 46,000 BTU) but aims it with far less waste, needs no propane, and ignores wind. Against the Bali Outdoors chiminea, the DR-238 is the set-and-forget appliance to the chiminea's ritual; choose the DR-238 for convenience, the chiminea for atmosphere.
Key specifications
- Power
- 1500W
- Heating type
- Carbon infrared, radiant
- Weather rating
- IP55
- Mounting
- Wall or ceiling mount
- Fuel
- None (electric)
Also consider
Amazon Basics Amazon Basics Patio Heater
46,000 BTU propane tower with wheels and piezo ignition.
- Heat output: 46,000 BTU
- Fuel: Propane (20 lb tank, not included)
Bali Outdoors Bali Outdoors Chiminea
Wood-burning cast iron chiminea with 360-degree spark screen.
- Fuel: Wood logs
- Body: Cast iron
Research-based assessment. ThePickLedger has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
Can it heat an uncovered patio?
It works, but rain exposure shortens its life despite the IP55 rating, and without a cover overhead some radiant heat escapes upward. Covered mounting is the intended use.
How much does it cost to run?
At 1500W, it uses 1.5 kWh per hour. Multiply by your electricity rate; at typical US residential rates that is well under a dollar per hour, far cheaper per hour than propane.
Does it need a dedicated circuit?
It draws 12.5 amps on a standard 120V circuit, so it should not share the circuit with other heavy loads. If the breaker trips, move it to its own circuit.