Propane heater with a 20 lb tank?

sicklyscott · Nov 9, 2017

Hey All -

I know what the "right" thing to do here is but I'd rather a band-aid fix and would love your opinions. I have a 22x11 garage in NJ with no insulation, 7 ft. walls and a roof peak of maybe 4 ft above that. The garage is wired with a 20 amp 120v line, no gas or water running to it. I'd like to spend some time in it over the winter to tinker with my project car.

The RIGHT thing to do (short of rebuilding) is to insulate, run better electric and put in an electric heater that can sustain 50 degrees when I'm in it. That's too much time / effort as that means a new main panel for the house, maybe upgraded service, and rewiring in the garage.

The band-aid fix would be a propane heater that I can use with a 20 lb tank. I've seen those alien glowing eye infrared things you can run off of the tank, not sure if that is useful in such close quarters. Another option is something I found on McMaster Carr's site that would be the appropriate size for my garage (40k btu) that uses 2 lbs/hr. It is expensive but will it work? And in your opinion would the added humidity be a problem in the winter?

As a side note one of the biggest problems with working on a car in the cold is that your tools are all frigid. I was thinking of wrapping my tool chest in the under tile heating mats, figured if I could keep the tool chest and tools warm it might not be so bad to work.

Looking for helpful suggestions!

Falcon67 · Nov 9, 2017

I used this rig a lot before insulation and electric heat and it works very well. $20 Walmart floor fan, dual burner Mr. Heater, 30 lb tank. Not loud, good heat.

I have one of those 60K BTU turbo things - used it like twice and put it in a bag. Works, but loud and kinda stinky.

gungatim · Nov 9, 2017

my buddy used a double head infrared in his uninsulated 2 stall detached garage and it kept it surprisingly comfortable. you will go through quite a bit of propane, though, so keep 3 tanks so you can go through 2 in a weekend if needed. humidity isn't a problem with an open uninsulated ceiling assuming it has typical ridge/soffit vents.

pancho400cid · Nov 9, 2017

I use one. It's OK... but we don't get nearly as cold for nearly as long. Fuel is a bit costly and shuttling the bottles is not fun. I think a 20 lb bottle was lasting me about a day and a half with heavy use. Also carbon monoxide wants to kill you. Also one propane bottle has enough stored chemical energy to blow your house off the foundation in a fire.

OTOH, with due caution it is good, simple, quiet heat for a low initial investment.

b-boy · Nov 9, 2017

What about a torpedo heater? It will probably be cheaper in the long run. Propane tanks are expensive, and you will burn through them pretty quickly.

sicklyscott · Nov 9, 2017

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

The torpedo style heaters require clearance that I don't have. It's a 22x11 garage with a Miata parked in the middle, work bench at one end and the garage door at the other.

It almost seems there's no way around the 240v requirement...

theoldwizard1 · Nov 9, 2017

I also have the dual burner Mr Heater tank top. my garage is 20x20 (no insulation) so when it was down in the teens it was not adequate. I have 2 for this winter, if necessary.

They get hot if you are too close !

tyme2par4 · Nov 9, 2017

My dad runs a torpedo style heater in his garage when he does work during the winter. It's a simple 2 car garage, and there's room for the heater even with both cars in there. They really don't need a lot of space, and they can warm up the place pretty quickly.

p_mori7 · Nov 9, 2017

Spend money now to properly insulate the garage first.

Find a used propane furnace that vents to the outside.

Buy two 100lb propane tanks and run a supply pipe & regulator to the outside.

The amount you will pay in fuel to heat an uninsulated garage will pay for the insulation.

~Phil.

PCustoms · Nov 9, 2017

Insulation and a big buddy heater

BuffettFan · Nov 9, 2017

I have used the 2 headed infra red on a 20 lb tank. It works. It ***** a lot of propane. Guesstimate would be close to 1lb/hr. Agree with the fan suggestion as most of the heat goes straight up.
I am usually woodworking or metalworking. I would be very concerned with the open flame if there is any chance of a fuel spill, tiny bit of gas can make a big boom!

BuffettFan · Nov 9, 2017

BTW, I have been working on insulation the last couple of weeks.....
Definitely money well spent.

laser3kw · Nov 9, 2017

propane heater link

get one of these^^^^
it will burn about 15 hours on a 20 lb tank. Quiet, clean, no smell.
I heat 30 x 40 x 12 with a 60,000 btu version (with a box fan to circulate). I can get it a comfortable 60° in about an hour and a half. But I have to have a 40 pound tank to burn at that rate.

Kaizen · Nov 10, 2017

That small I'd use a single tank top infrared. Move it as needed depending on what you are doing on the car. I used one for years in a tent garage. As long as minimal wind it worked well enough. Forget about electric for heat. Way too expensive unless something like an minisplit

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

flushcut · Nov 10, 2017

Been my heater for years and is multi use run'er off of two 100lb tanks.

pepi · Nov 10, 2017

Gas will always be cheaper and more efficient, that i can tell you.

Greg

T_R · Nov 10, 2017

Get one of the forced hot air bullet heaters. Something in the 30-40k btu range will do the job for you. You'll get about 12 hours on a 20lb tank.

I have a 35k btu ready heater and it does the job just fine. I did buy some 100lb tanks so I'm not refilling all the time.

B T C · Nov 10, 2017

I use one of these, http://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/mr-heater-f228810, but my garage is insulated. It works very well for me. I might go so far as to say that I love it, but I'm not sure how well it would do in a non-insulated space. I'm sure it would be better than nothing.

That ACME site has a Veteran's Day sale going on with a code of WESALUTEYOU. It's supposed to be 11% off, but I put a few things in my cart and applied the code and it seems to be taking off 20%.

Falcon67 · Nov 10, 2017

B T C said:
I use one of these, http://www.acmetools.com/shop/tools/mr-heater-f228810, but my garage is insulated.

That's like the one I have, paid $100 at HD for it. Hate it, don't care to work while wearing hearing protectors. But then, "thanks" to not having much of real winters in the last few years I haven't used propane for anything. Have 4 30 lb tanks, been 3 years since I visited the refill station.

B T C · Nov 10, 2017

Falcon67 said:
That's like the one I have, paid $100 at HD for it. Hate it, don't care to work while wearing hearing protectors. But then, "thanks" to not having much of real winters in the last few years I haven't used propane for anything. Have 4 30 lb tanks, been 3 years since I visited the refill station.

I usually run it until my garage is warm, turn it off, and then start working. That probably wouldn't be a viable option in an non-insulated space. The Mr. Heater brand unit I have has some kind of "quiet burn" technology. It does make a noticeable difference in the noise level, but it's certainly not silent.

pbon · Nov 10, 2017

I have use torpedo propane or kerosene for years. Loud and they go through propane so you want 3 tanks if 20 lb. I refill at Uhaul. Some kerosene stinks. Propane adds moisture. Also they **** oxygen so you should not use in a sealed garage. But they get the room warm fast. 35k btu might be enough if forced air. If just radiant you may need more of will have to be patient. I get tbe garage warm and then turn it off. Bought a quieter torpedo but more money. Also have one of the cylinder kerosene radiants that I use once warm. This year will probably do it right and go to full time natural gas since I am insulated now. I never tried to keep my tools warm. Don't worry about that. I am in NH and it gets cold. For cheap I like the tank top and fan idea.

sicklyscott · Nov 10, 2017

Thanks again all for the options.

I just remember I have a blue flame type unit sitting on a shelf that I once tried. I don't remember the BTU rating but the problem was it made almost zero impact. I just found out you can buy an aux blower for the back of it. At $30 it's worth a shot. I think second option is the tank topper or the Mr Heat Buddy heater just to move it where I'm working.

BuffettFan · Nov 10, 2017

As I mentioned earlier in this thread, I am in the middle of insulating my garage.
Out of curiosity, this morning I took some readings with an infrared thermometer before the sun came up and could influence any readings.
Garage is a 28X22 drive under, block construction. 2 walls are completely exposed, 3rd is ~60% exposed, 4th is the divider to the finished basement. No heat in the garage except what radiates from the basement wall and ceiling.
Outside temp this morning was 29*F
Outside temp of the blocks was 31*, steel insulated door was 29*
Inside temp of the non-insulated blocks was 45*, door was also 45*
Inside temp of the insulated wall, 16" from the reading of the non-insulated block was 51*
All readings taken 5' or so above ground level.
A little research tells me that concrete blocks are about an R2, the insulation I'm using is R13 and the OSB will be about R.6
I think come summer, I will see even more of a difference as the garage is on the south end of the house and the foundation is a medium to dark brown.
Hope this wasn't too boring!

sicklyscott · Nov 10, 2017

Thanks BuffettFan, appreciate the readings.

Below is a picture of my garage. It is (slightly) more organized than when this picture was taken but also much more packed. I'm using the areas in between the studs for some 2x4 shelves and am using it to store metal stock and scrap wood. I'm worried that if I were to insulate and finish the walls I'd be at a loss for space. I probably have too much junk laying around but, did anyone who finished their garage regret the loss of space?

BuffettFan · Nov 10, 2017

In my previous garage, 20X20 frame construction, free standing, I only insulated the ceiling.
Made a HUGE difference. I was able to hold 65 to 70 using an unvented natural gas space heater.
I can guarantee that you will notice a big difference.

p_mori7 · Nov 10, 2017

sicklyscott said:
did anyone who finished their garage regret the loss of space?

NOPE !

My garage is 16x30 with 10' ceilings.

Outside ambient temp today here in Montreal was -5C (23F) and windy.

I have a 5000w 240v shop heater with integral fan.

This afternoon I installed the winter tires & change oil & filter on my daughter's Cobalt in a T-shirt & Jeans. It was 70F in the garage, and my heater was running about 10 minutes at 30 or 40 minute intervals.

I keep the garage at 50F all winter.

~Phil.

laser3kw · Nov 11, 2017

did anyone who finished their garage regret the loss of space?

How much space do you loose? If by finishing. you mean insulating and covering the walls and ceiling, I don't consider I lost any space. I normally don't utilize the stud area for storage (shelving).
If you need to use your garage in cold months, finishing is a must.

sicklyscott · Nov 16, 2017

I've decided to get a Mr. Heater Big Buddy with a 20# tank attachment. I'd be ok if I just put it in front of my work area, I don't need the whole garage to be warm.

PhantomEB · Nov 16, 2017

I done it at my folks garage when needed to. Worked great!

Now I keep it on the side for when I go winter camping. The friends boys love to hang out in front of it to dry off after snowball fights.

TractorJeff · Nov 16, 2017

I've got a single head infrared on a 20lb tank that heats a space similar to what you are describing except my walls and ceiling are insulated. I don't believe it ***** a lot of Propane as I don't change the tanks too often?
At the bare minimum I too recommend insulating the ceiling (heat rises).
I usually start with that heater pointing at the area where I am going to work with it on high. Then after I get going, depending on how long I am out there, I'll start turning it down as things warm up.

Bolson32 · Nov 16, 2017

I'm late to the party on this but I've gone through a lot of what you are talking about now.

22x15 garage, now it's insulated and heated, electric re-done.

I used a torpedo tube for a year and change, sucked. Insulated and sheathed the walls, spray foamed the ceiling and ran new electric. It becomes a huge pain to heat it up using those temporary measures, to the point where I didn't want to do any work out there because maintaining temp and a decent working environment sucked. I'd start the garage project before the car project imo.

As for the new electrical, yes, will take time. Couple of weekends probably, but I did it all myself. Didn't need an upgraded service or a new panel in the house, why do you think you need that? There's already a breaker at the panel, you need one space. If you don't have it you can put in a tandem breaker to get your 2 pole breaker. Might be tough now as the ground is probably frozen, but I'd consider it in the spring if you have the time/want/money.

And I didn't lose any storage between the walls. No offense but it doesn't look like you're using to your space all that wisely at the moment. If you finished the walls you could still hang shelves, etc.

montes · Mar 26, 2019

i am also use infrared heater

montes · Mar 26, 2019

All lovers of outdoor activities know that a high-quality fireplace stove can enjoy your yard all year round. A small device can easily raise the garden temperature by tens of degrees. Choosing a fireplace is a choice of convenience and convenience. This is not as easy as it sounds.

Propane heater with a 20 lb tank?

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Member

Member