Community Forums

poppatello · 11-04-2010, 11:41 PM

Hello folks, I've done a bit of research on this site but only found two threads on this topic. I'm looking for a small portable propane heater for my wife's pop up. It does not have heat in it and she wants to camp a few more times before putting the unit away for winter. I have looked @ a few units @ Home Depot, Lowe's, Tractor Supply, and Dicks. Most of them say they are Mr. Heater but look a bit different. I was just wondering if anyone has experience using them and what model was it? Also, was there anything you didn't like about it? Did you get an odor from it? Here are the three I was looking @. Let me know what you guys and gals think...

Mr. Heater® Big Buddy™ Portable Heater - 2133493 | Tractor Supply Company

Mr. Heater® Portable Buddy™ Heater - 2150699 | Tractor Supply Company

Mr. Heater Tag-A-Long Portable Radiant Heater - RMC-8001SS at The Home Depot

Gary RVRoamer · 11-05-2010, 07:27 PM

I have a Mr. Heater Portable and used it for a couple years in one coach. Also used it in my stick house occasionally over the winter. It works pretty well, especially if you hook up a 5# or 10# bottle instead of the little 1# bottles. Haven't used it much lately, though, since these days we mostly camp where there is 50A electric.

Larry & Rita · 11-05-2010, 07:38 PM

I have one of the Big Buddy cataletic type heaters, like Gary said I got a 5lb tank but went back to the 1 lb size because the tag along bigger tank was to awkward to handle in small confines (the Big Buddy will run on low for 12 to 16 hours with two 1 lb tanks)
I choose the cataletic because it will run with a small opening in a local window, Open flame type require a major air source or it will use up the oxygen and kill.
Larry

Lorna · 11-06-2010, 09:31 PM

I have an older Mr Buddy. It was on "end of season" sale so I got it pretty cheap. I have used it when the power was off at home during the winter and I have used it in our food cart. I like it. But then I am also used to using those big kerosine "space" heaters to heat rooms with.

Ray,IN · 11-06-2010, 09:37 PM

FWIW, only the smallest Mr. Heater (Mr. Heater - America's Most Popular Portable Heaters) is approved for indoor use.

Beauregard · 11-07-2010, 09:53 AM

Coleman Sportcat or Procat. Catalytic is the safe way to heat a small area.

Lorna · 11-07-2010, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

FWIW, only the smallest Mr. Heater (Mr. Heater - America's Most Popular Portable Heaters) is approved for indoor use.

The boxes usually say on them if you can use them indoors. Mine is labeled as such both on the box and on the heater it's self.

Ray,IN · 11-07-2010, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorna

The boxes usually say on them if you can use them indoors. Mine is labeled as such both on the box and on the heater it's self.

Per their website, other than the smallest, all say approved for emergency indoor use only.
Each person is responsible for its use. Irregardless of what the website or packaging says, the accompanying warranty is the final word.

akcampr · 11-08-2010, 07:49 PM

We have a Big buddy because of the built in fan. It works well for us.

Lorna · 11-08-2010, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray,IN

...Irregardless of what the website or packaging says, the accompanying warranty is the final word.

Mine does! I looked at it again today. I kept all the paper work as well as noting on the box when & where I bought it. Things must have changed in the years since I bought mine. I rarely use it although we used it last fall at a nighttime event that we worked. I had pulled it out again because it's getting cool here and I thought David might like to use it on the food cart. Either that or I will use it while I work on the bus. I'm not sure I'll have enough ventilation... 17 windows are not installed in the bus... 17 fully functioning windows are installed (until I remove them)... think that's enough ventilation?

I don't think they make one in the size mine is anymore. All the ones that I have looked at seems t be either smaller or larger than mine.

mel s · 11-08-2010, 10:37 PM

We use a Buddy Heater and it was nice to have last winter when the south forgot to warm up. I do have a 3" 12 vdc fan attaced to the top to move the air as it rises off the heater. We usually use the 1# cylinders but we needed it so much last year I ran a 12' hose, from a 20# tank on the ground, in through the pass side window. The window opening with the hose in it supplied the fresh air reguired. They cost around $100 and are well worth it, IMO!
Mel
'96 Sahara, 35'