Why Choose an RB73 Outdoor Wood Heater for Your Outdoor Living Space?

The barbecue is finished. Friends are still chatting around the table. The evening air is getting cooler, but instead of heading indoors, someone adds another log to the fire. The flames dance behind glass, radiating warmth while conversation drifts effortlessly from one story to the next.

The best outdoor spaces don't empty when the sun goes down… they invite people to stay a little longer.

That's the role an outdoor fireplace can play. It doesn't simply provide warmth; it changes how a space is used. Family dinners stretch into the evening, winter entertaining becomes something to look forward to, and an ordinary patio transforms into the heart of the backyard.

Among premium outdoor fireplaces, RB73 has earned a reputation for combining exceptional craftsmanship with timeless design. Handmade in the Netherlands from durable CorTen steel, each fireplace is designed to become a permanent feature of your outdoor living space while delivering the unmistakable ambience of a real wood fire.

In this guide, we'll explore what makes RB73 outdoor wood heaters different, how they compare with other outdoor heating options and how they compliment others, and how to choose the right model for your home.

Why Are RB73 Outdoor Wood Heaters Different from Traditional Fire Pits?

There's something timeless about gathering around a real wood fire. For generations, it's been where stories are shared, meals linger a little longer and cool evenings become memorable occasions. Traditional fire pits capture that feeling beautifully, but they also come with a few compromises: smoke that follows your guests, sparks carried by the wind and the constant game of moving chairs to find the warmest seat.

An RB73 outdoor wood heater takes that same experience and refines it.

Rather than sitting around an open flame, you're enjoying the warmth and ambience of a real wood fire within an enclosed fireplace. Large glass panels provide an uninterrupted view of the dancing flames, while the enclosed firebox and integrated flue help direct smoke upward and away from your entertaining area. The result is a fire that's more comfortable to enjoy, especially when friends and family are gathered nearby.

It's a difference you'll appreciate long after the novelty of the first fire has passed. Instead of tending to an unpredictable blaze, you're simply enjoying the company around it.

That's why many homeowners today aren't choosing between one outdoor fireplace and another. They're choosing between two completely different ways of experiencing outdoor living.

An open fire pit creates a wonderfully rustic atmosphere and remains a fantastic option for many backyards. But if your goal is to create an outdoor room that feels stylish, comfortable and inviting throughout the cooler months, an enclosed fireplace like an RB73 offers a very different experience.

It becomes part of the architecture of the space rather than an accessory that's brought out when the weather cools, and that's an important distinction.

A beautifully designed outdoor area isn't simply somewhere to cook a barbecue. It's a place to gather, celebrate milestones, unwind after work or enjoy a quiet evening with family. Heating should complement that experience, not dictate it.

That's one of the reasons homeowners planning premium outdoor entertaining spaces often consider their heating alongside the overall design. Whether you're creating a contemporary alfresco area or planning a new outdoor kitchen, integrating an outdoor fireplace in the design process helps create a space that feels cohesive rather than added as an afterthought.

Why Does CorTen Steel Make Such a Difference?

Long before the first log is lit, the fireplace has already changed the way the space feels. An RB73 makes a statement without demanding attention, its weathering CorTen steel settling naturally into the landscape as though it has always belonged there. 

Crafted from CorTen steel, each fireplace gradually develops a rich, weathered patina that feels at home in contemporary courtyards, coastal retreats and country landscapes alike. It's a material chosen not only for its durability, but for the character it gains over time.

Unlike painted steel, which can chip or require refinishing after years exposed to the elements, CorTen steel is designed to weather naturally. As it develops its protective outer layer, the surface becomes increasingly resistant to corrosion while taking on the distinctive warm tones that have made the material a favourite of architects and landscape designers.

It's one of those rare materials that becomes more beautiful with age. That philosophy perfectly reflects the way an RB73 is designed to be enjoyed.

Rather than being packed away at the end of winter or replaced after a few seasons, it's intended to become a permanent feature of your outdoor space, something that matures alongside your home and the memories created around it.

Handcrafted in the Netherlands, every RB73 fireplace balances clean, contemporary design with practical engineering. The generous viewing windows create an almost mesmerising connection with the fire itself, while the robust construction is designed to withstand years of Australian outdoor conditions.

The clean, geometric lines of the Quaruba collection are a perfect example of this philosophy. Its generous glass panels showcase the fire from multiple angles, allowing the flames to become part of the architecture rather than simply a source of heat. 

There's also something reassuring about owning an object that's been built to last.

In a world increasingly filled with products designed for short life cycles, an RB73 feels refreshingly permanent. It isn't chasing trends or seasonal fashions. It's designed to look just as appropriate ten or twenty years from now as it does today.

Perhaps that's why so many architects specify CorTen steel - not because it's fashionable, but because great materials never really go out of style.

Is an RB73 Outdoor Fireplace Right for Every Home?

One of the questions homeowners often ask is whether a premium wood-burning fireplace is the right choice for their lifestyle.

The honest answer is that it depends on how you enjoy your outdoor space.

If nothing compares to the sound of crackling timber, the aroma of a real wood fire and the ritual of lighting it on a cool evening, an RB73 offers an experience that electric or gas heaters simply can't replicate. The flames become part of the atmosphere, creating a natural focal point that draws people together.

On the other hand, some outdoor spaces are used differently.

Apartment balconies, compact courtyards or entertaining areas where instant heat is a consideration, they may be better suited to electric radiant heating, keeping in mind that a wood heater can be an excellent accompaniment to that kind of solution if space permits. Being an enclosed flame fireplace, an RB73 is also safer.  

Electric systems provide warmth at the flick of a switch and require little ongoing maintenance, making them an excellent choice for homeowners who value convenience, but if you want to add the ambience and heat of a real flame to the mix, then you should consider an RB73.

Where space is available but a more compact wood-burning fireplace is preferred, RB73 models such as the Piquia demonstrate that you don't need a large footprint to enjoy the atmosphere of a real outdoor fire. 

That's why there's no single "best" outdoor heating solution. The right choice depends on your space, how often you entertain and the experience you want to create.

If you're still weighing up the different ways to heat your outdoor area, we've taken a deep dive into the advantages and considerations of wood, gas and electric heating in our guide to Outdoor Heater Solutions: Stay Warm and Cosy in Your Backyard. Rather than focusing on one product, it's designed to help you understand the strengths of each option, so you can choose the solution that best suits your home and lifestyle.

Many homeowners also find that outdoor heating doesn't have to be limited to a single approach. While an RB73 creates an inviting focal point with the warmth and ambience of a real wood fire, discreet electric radiant heating can complement it beautifully, providing instant warmth exactly where it's needed. Our guide to Infratech Outdoor Heating: Efficient Solutions for Year-Round Comfort explores how premium electric heating can work alongside wood fireplaces to create an outdoor space that's comfortable in every season.

Ultimately, it's less about deciding which technology is superior and more about finding the solution that complements the way you live outdoors.

Are RB73 Outdoor Wood Heaters Easy to Maintain?

One of the biggest misconceptions about wood-burning fireplaces is that they're difficult to own. While any real wood fire requires a little care, an RB73 is designed to make that experience as straightforward as possible.

Like tending a garden or seasoning a cast-iron pan, there's a quiet satisfaction in looking after something that's built to last.

Most day-to-day maintenance is remarkably simple. Emptying ash when required, using well-seasoned hardwood and occasionally cleaning the glass helps keep your fireplace performing at its best. Burning dry timber also produces a cleaner, more efficient fire, reducing smoke while allowing you to enjoy an uninterrupted view of the flames.

The CorTen steel exterior requires very little attention. Unlike painted finishes that may need ongoing maintenance, CorTen develops a stable protective patina over time. That evolving surface isn't a sign of deterioration… it's one of the material's defining characteristics and part of what gives every RB73 its unique personality.

Perhaps the most important habit isn't maintenance at all, it's learning how to build a good fire.

Using properly seasoned hardwood and allowing the fire to establish naturally creates more consistent heat, cleaner combustion and a more enjoyable experience from the moment the first flames appear. Like any craft, it becomes second nature with practice, and many owners find that lighting the fire becomes part of the ritual of entertaining rather than another chore to complete.

A well-made fireplace shouldn't demand your attention - it should reward it. And that's exactly the philosophy behind an RB73.

How Can an RB73 Transform an Outdoor Kitchen?

A great outdoor kitchen is about much more than where the barbecue sits. It's about creating a space where cooking, dining and conversation happen naturally together. The barbecue might be where the meal begins, but it's rarely where the evening ends.

That's why more homeowners are thinking beyond appliances alone. They want outdoor spaces that remain welcoming long after dinner has been served, with carefully considered heating becoming just as important as the kitchen itself.

An RB73 outdoor fireplace helps create that transition.

As the barbecue cools, the fire quietly takes over as the heart of the gathering. Guests naturally move towards its warmth, conversations continue and what began as dinner effortlessly becomes an evening spent outdoors.

From a design perspective, an outdoor fireplace also helps define different zones within a larger entertaining area. A dining table, lounge setting and fireplace each serve a different purpose, yet together they create a backyard that feels connected rather than simply filled with individual products.

It's one of the reasons architects often think about heating early in the design process. When a fireplace is considered alongside cabinetry, seating and circulation, it feels as though it has always belonged there.

Whether you're planning a compact alfresco or a fully equipped entertaining space, incorporating heating from the outset often leads to a more comfortable and cohesive result. If you're still exploring ideas, our guide to The Best Outdoor Kitchen Layouts for Your Dream Backyard looks at different ways to bring cooking, dining and relaxation together into one thoughtfully designed space.

For homeowners who see cooking as part of the entertainment, the Quercus offers something quite special. Combining an outdoor fireplace with an integrated wood-fired oven, it encourages guests to gather around the fire from the moment the first pizza goes in until the last conversation fades into the evening. 

Some appliances help you cook, others help you entertain. An RB73 Quercus has the rare ability to do both.

Are RB73 Outdoor Wood Heaters Worth the Investment?

It's easy to think of an outdoor fireplace as another addition to the backyard.

In reality, it often becomes something much more significant. The places we remember most aren't usually defined by the objects within them. They're defined by what happened there. A family Christmas lunch. Friends gathered around the fire on a cool autumn evening. The quiet satisfaction of sitting outside with a coffee before the rest of the house has woken.

Over time, those moments become attached to places. That's why thoughtfully designed outdoor spaces have such lasting appeal. They aren't simply beautiful to look at, they become part of family life.

An RB73 is built with that sort of longevity in mind. It's designed to weather gracefully and remain a permanent part of the landscape rather than something that's replaced as trends change. Years from now, the steel will have developed its own distinctive patina, while the memories created around it will have become just as much a part of its story. Whether it's the bold architectural presence of a Quaruba, the unique features of a Bijuga, or the versatility of a Quercus, every RB73 shares the same philosophy: beautiful design that earns its place in everyday life. 

Perhaps that's the real value of investing in quality: owning something that quietly enriches the way you live for years to come.

More Than a Fireplace - A Place to Gather

The best outdoor spaces are rarely created overnight. They evolve over time, shaped by thoughtful decisions and pieces chosen not simply for how they look, but for how they enrich everyday life. A dining table that becomes the setting for birthdays and Sunday lunches. A barbecue that's fired up at the first sign of good weather. Comfortable seating that invites you to linger long after the meal is over.

An RB73 isn't designed to be a seasonal accessory or a passing trend. It's a permanent part of the landscape, crafted to weather gracefully, to be enjoyed year after year and to become woven into the memories created around it. As the CorTen steel develops its distinctive character, so too does the space around it—shaped by conversations, celebrations and countless evenings spent outdoors.

Whether you're designing a new alfresco area or enhancing an existing one, the goal isn't simply to add another feature to your backyard. It's to create a place that draws people together, encourages them to stay a little longer and makes outdoor living something to enjoy in every season.

There's a quiet confidence in choosing products that are designed to last. Not because they're the most expensive, but because they continue to reward you long after the excitement of buying them has passed. A beautifully made outdoor fireplace doesn't ask for attention every day. It simply becomes part of the backdrop to life's best moments, waiting patiently for the next gathering, the next celebration or the next quiet evening spent outdoors. 

At Heat & Grill, we believe that's what great outdoor design is really about. Not filling a space with products, but choosing pieces that quietly become part of the way you live.

If you'd like to experience an RB73 fireplace in person or explore the range in more detail, we'd love to help. Visit our showroom to see the craftsmanship up close, or browse our RB73 collection and accessories online. Our team can help you choose the model that best suits your home, your entertaining style and the outdoor space you're creating.