Mr Heater Portable Buddy

[rd]

Does anyone have any knowledge about these heaters? They run around $90 bucks from what I have seen, are they worth is? Are they fume free as they advertise? How long would one can of gas last? Any help would be great.

[s.f.]

i have used mr heaters for years in about every situation, from the deerstand to the garage. the mr. heater cooker, about 45 dollars, is a great, fumeless, very effective unit. i use 20lb. propane tanks on mine. they're somewhat fragile so if hauling on a snowmobile/atv, one needs to make sure they don't fly around. all mr. heater products i've seen or used are a very good investment.
s.f.

[waterfowler]

RD,

How big of an area are you trying to heat?? I'll assume it's for an ice shack, so does your shack have ventilation?? Do you like to fish in your sweatshirt or quad-parka??

I have a 6' x 8' clam. I use the mister heater cooker because I can get up to 14K of BTUs. Even on the really cold days I can still fish in my sweatshirt. The only negative I've heard about the buddy heater is the heat doesn't radiate like it does off the cooker style.... Now if you want this unit for heating a well insultated shack, it's a great choice plus it won't kill you!!

[JonM]

I've only used mine a couple times camping and it seemed to burn really clean and provide a decent amount of heat.

I'm looking forward to testing it ice fishing. With the nice rectangle base on this heater, it should be great for ice fishing as it will stay in place in the sled or on the ice.

[Dave in Mpls]

The only thing I don't like about the Portable Buddy is that if used outdoors (i.e. in a boat), the slightest amount of wind will blow them out. Inside, they work like a charm. Like others have mentioned, I swear by the heater/cooker.

Regards

[Craig Fletcher]

I've never used the Buddy heater so I can't help you there, but I was in a Lowe's here in Ohio on Wednesday and they had them on clearance for 25% off! Brought the price down to $74 and some change. Hope this helps. Craig

[Pitts]

I think the Buddy is 9000 btus and the Mr Heater cooker or sunflower heater is up to 14000 btus.
The Buddy is supposed to be fume free but they consume oxygen.
Never ever sleep with a non vented heater of any kind because of CO or O2 problems.
For a small shack it would be OK unless it is real cold. I swear by the sunflower heaters mounted right on the 10# short tank. They are more versatile. I use mine in the boat when fishing pool 3&4 by Redwing and in the deer stand when it is very cold and I have 2 so if it is real cold I will start a second one in my 8X8 portable with good ventilation.
The Mr Heater that has a hose and sits very close to the floor is great until you try fishing in sub zero weather and the output of your heater is reduced by half because the propane does not vaporize as fast in the bottle and it never warms up in the house. If you never fish when it is that cold then that is the way to go because it takes up less room in the house and it is close to the floor where the heat is needed.
One trick I learned is when fishing in real cold weather and the wind is blowing is to position the house so the door is down wind and face the heater towards the wind side of the house and you will be much warmer.
Another trick is to turn the head carefully so that you can mount a sunflower heater on the tank at an angle so it points downward at the floor at about 45 degrees this makes the radiant heat warm the floor well.
Hope this helps on you decision.

Pitts

[rickk]

just an addendum,..to those that have fixed ice houses,..that bubble insulation stuff really works well,..its extramly light,..and your heater will work much,much better,..a small heater can heat the house easily,..the only drawback to some peoples fishing is that it might be too bright for some,...a window or small light is magnified many times,..but its easly to put up,very fast w/a staple gun,.. and even if you don't do entire fish house,..it helps as insulation is greatly determined by sq surface covered,...because some of its effect is from radient bounce,..YOU feel warmer even if no heater (like a space blanket works,..) is present,..saves a lot on gas and thus better air,..BTW the Buddy is suppose to have a fail safe O2 sensor,..to shut off if low O2,..but do provide some venting in any unvented combustion,...also check out the HOTVENT heater,..the unit sits outside and pushes the heat in,..NO CO inside,..needs a battery though,..I think the site is www.zodi.com