Best temporary heat for small un-insulated workshop

[psychob0b1977]

Hi guys,

I have an 8x20 workshop that is un-insulated and i want to know what is a good heater to use for this size space. i would prefer an LP unit as i get propane for dirt cheap.

i do not want to insulate. i know that it will pay for itself yada yada yada... but i don't want to spend $300+ on something that wont be permanent.

i currently have a 1500w electric unit that is about as useful as a fart in a snowstorm. it takes it hours to just take the chill out of the air. electric is expensive too, so i don't want it to run all day and night.

many of the heaters that i see seem to be for much larger spaces. are there any good heaters that wont cook me out of the place that are also safe to leave running if i forget to turn off? how about heaters that have a built in thermostat so they can maintain a set temp?

And as always price is a huge concern. i want something cheap but if the unit that does what i need isn't "cheap" i can make an exception.

Thanks for the help!

 

[rancherbill]

I used to have a similar problem. What I did was have 2 heat lamps. One for my tools/workbench and second one for what I was working on. I would go out and turn them on an hour before I wanted to do something.

 

[CNGsaves]

With proper ventilation, your best solution is LPG/propane torpedo heater.

[EDIT] - - above suggestion is ONLY if you are going to be IN garage monitoring the heater.

Best solution for propane where you might leave it unattended for longer periods while warming up, I'd recommend instead the Big Buddy as pictured below. This would be safer, and has it's own Low Oxygen Sensor to turn it off automatically. You will want the optional hose kit to connect to 20 lb BBQ propane bottle.

 

[PugetDude]

...except for the fact that propane torpedo heater puts so much moisture into the air that everything rusts overnight as it cools down and the moisture condenses.

 

[Garage Coffee Roaster]

Best solution for propane where you might leave it unattended for longer periods while warming up, I'd recommend instead the Big Buddy as pictured below. This would be safer, and has it's own Low Oxygen Sensor to turn it off automatically. You will want the optional hose kit to connect to 20 lb BBQ propane bottle.

+1 for the big buddy with a 20lb cylinder.

I have one in my uninsulated one car detached garage and after a few hours I can work in a long sleeve or sweatshirt depending on how cold and windy it is outside.

 

[psychob0b1977]

Best solution for propane where you might leave it unattended for longer periods while warming up, I'd recommend instead the Big Buddy as pictured below. This would be safer, and has it's own Low Oxygen Sensor to turn it off automatically. You will want the optional hose kit to connect to 20 lb BBQ propane bottle.

Thanks, I'll have to look into one of those.

Does anyone who has one of these notice any condensation issues? I can't afford to have any of my tools rust!

Are those heaters safe to be left unattended while it's warming up? Obviously I know not to put it near any flammable chemicals, but does it need to be in the center of the room, or just a few inches clearance from a wall?

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Thanks, I'll have to look into one of those.

Does anyone who has one of these notice any condensation issues? I can't afford to have any of my tools rust!

Are those heaters safe to be left unattended while it's warming up? Obviously I know not to put it near any flammable chemicals, but does it need to be in the center of the room, or just a few inches clearance from a wall?

Disclaimer...This is my first year with an LP Torpedo, last year was a Kero version...

But IMHO, the whole moisture thing is blown way out of proportion...does it and will it make moisture, sure..I wont dispute the science there. BUT I will say (see your in MA, so similar weather to me here in ME) its so dang dry to begin with during heating season that I'd say rust from moisture in the air is more of an issue in July & August then using any unvented LP heater.

 

[anthony666]

my buddy had a quanset hut on his farm .. we'd fire up a salamander so it was warm enough to spin a few wrenches and after an hour of the hot air hitting the uninsulated tin roof it would seem like it was raining in there

and i've also been in half built houses that at least have the insulation up, in a canadian january, with a schwank heater running off a 200 lb propane tank and it's so dry you get a nose bleed

condensation is about hot meeting cold abruptly

 

[psychob0b1977]

Disclaimer...This is my first year with an LP Torpedo, last year was a Kero version...

But IMHO, the whole moisture thing is blown way out of proportion...does it and will it make moisture, sure..I wont dispute the science there. BUT I will say (see your in MA, so similar weather to me here in ME) its so dang dry to begin with during heating season that I'd say rust from moisture in the air is more of an issue in July & August then using any unvented LP heater.

interesting point. i never thought of that!

Thanks!

now to find a "deal"...

 

[ol'Red]

+1 torpedo

 

[sixball]

8 X 20 isn't a large area to heat insulated or not. I think a torpedo would be overkill. In an are like that, you would go from 20 degrees to 80 in a matter of minutes. Plus with the radius of the hot end of the torpedo, that would make the room smaller as to where you or anything you don't want to catch on fire can be.

I would go with a large Kero heater that you can pick up brand new for about 100-130 at any large chain store. Those are about 23,000 BTU and would heat a 8 X 20 area up nicely without the noise of the torpedo, or the jet effect of the burner in the small area.

You can also fire up the kero heater and let it warm the shop up for a few minutes before you get started working. I'm paranoid by nature and never leave anything unatended for more than a few minutes, but thats me. The Big Buddy is also a good choice, even though I've never used one, I hear/read they are good units, I'm just not a fan of propane bottles.

And as far as the mouisture issue, I've never run into any rusted tools or parts in the past 5 years that I have been using kero. On a snowy day when there is mousture in the air, upon intital startup of the heat, there is slight condensation on cold metal parts, but in a matter of minutes once the temp regulates from cold to warm, the condensation is gone.

What are your plans for "permanant" heat? With the size of that area, insulating it wouldn't be crazy expensive. And with insulation, heating is even easier and less expensive.

Sixball

 

[psychob0b1977]

8 X 20 isn't a large area to heat insulated or not. I think a torpedo would be overkill. In an are like that, you would go from 20 degrees to 80 in a matter of minutes. Plus with the radius of the hot end of the torpedo, that would make the room smaller as to where you or anything you don't want to catch on fire can be.

I would go with a large Kero heater that you can pick up brand new for about 100-130 at any large chain store. Those are about 23,000 BTU and would heat a 8 X 20 area up nicely without the noise of the torpedo, or the jet effect of the burner in the small area.

You can also fire up the kero heater and let it warm the shop up for a few minutes before you get started working. I'm paranoid by nature and never leave anything unatended for more than a few minutes, but thats me. The Big Buddy is also a good choice, even though I've never used one, I hear/read they are good units, I'm just not a fan of propane bottles.

And as far as the mouisture issue, I've never run into any rusted tools or parts in the past 5 years that I have been using kero. On a snowy day when there is mousture in the air, upon intital startup of the heat, there is slight condensation on cold metal parts, but in a matter of minutes once the temp regulates from cold to warm, the condensation is gone.

What are your plans for "permanant" heat? With the size of that area, insulating it wouldn't be crazy expensive. And with insulation, heating is even easier and less expensive.

Sixball

I'm planning on getting one of those big buddy heaters, as I always have propane bottles around, and I would have to make a special trip for kerosene.

I'm no longer worried about condensation, but I wasn't sure before based on previous comments.

This will be permanent heat, the thing that's temporary is the workshop. I don't own the house, I rent. I will spend $100 on a heater I can take with me, but I'm not going to spend $300+ on insulation that won't come with me if I move out.

 

[B in the Glen]

Your shop is close to the size of a holiday trailer. RV furnaces have a nice exhaust and combustion air inlet, fairly compact and quiet. An old used one should be reasonably priced.

(a lurkers first post!)

 

[Garage Coffee Roaster]

Good choice on the Big Buddy. I have never noticed any condensation with mine. Pick up the power adapter for the fan also. You will not need D batteries then.


Jim

 

[theoldwizard1]

I have one of these.

Works well and you don't smell like kerosene !
Mr. Heater, MH30T Double Tank Top Outdoor Propane Heater - Amazon $75

If you want something a bit more permanent I would go with this

Mr. Heater 40, 000 BTU Propane Garage Heater #MH40LP - Amazon $417

 

[danfromsyr]

in uninsulated space heat the objects (you included) not the air.
I say NO to a loud *** salamander
you need to go radient heat. anywhere the red light glows gets heated.
and well the air does as well. but a car is more pleasant when the metal is warm.

I have an upright 35k btu unit on wheels. works quite well.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Garage-Heat...-BTUs-NEW-HOT-SALE-/310798007418#ht_348wt_977

best of all it's quiet. can still hear the shop stereo and even carry on a conversation.

 

[BellyUpFish]

in uninsulated space heat the objects (you included) not the air.
I say NO to a loud *** salamander
you need to go radient heat. anywhere the red light glows gets heated.
and well the air does as well. but a car is more pleasant when the metal is warm.

I have an upright 35k btu unit on wheels. works quite well.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Garage-Heat...-BTUs-NEW-HOT-SALE-/310798007418#ht_348wt_977

best of all it's quiet. can still hear the shop stereo and even carry on a conversation.

How long will that thing run on a tank?

 

[b-body-bob]

^ I was just looking at that , the auction says
Can Heat an Area Up to 800 Sq Ft / Unit Run's Approx. 12 Hrs on a 20lb - Propane Tank

 

[BellyUpFish]

^ I was just looking at that , the auction says
Can Heat an Area Up to 800 Sq Ft / Unit Run's Approx. 12 Hrs on a 20lb - Propane Tank

Looks like Tractor Supply sells the same thing.. I may snag one..

 

[1jjpop]

I had a small garage & it needed some kind of heat ,bought a used Motel heater [heat & air conditioning].Worked good,it was in the wall. [was 220 unit]......

 

[venturesomerite]

[/URL]

x2 on this! I have one for my shop to take the chill out of the air. Easy to go to pretty much any where for a tank exchange. I keep two tanks on hand, use one, and get the other filled soon after it runs out so I am not without when it does run out.

I used a torpedo last year, and while it worked better (alot warmer) it was alot more expensive, and I did not like the fumes/smell it gave.


I do not trust it to ever leave it on unattended.

 

[Backlight]

Lots of good options on here... I have one of these guys Link good value, 30,000 - 60,000 BTU. It is loud though, like all heaters of this type.

 

[scottzilla]

I bought this:

http://www.leevalley.com/US/wood/page.aspx?p=44590&cat=1,43456,43465,44590

It won't heat up the garage but if you position it where you work (like over your work bench for example) it works really well. $59 and I'm happy with the purchase.

 

[Twiggss]

I'm planning on getting one of those big buddy heaters, as I always have propane bottles around, and I would have to make a special trip for kerosene.

I'm no longer worried about condensation, but I wasn't sure before based on previous comments.

This will be permanent heat, the thing that's temporary is the workshop. I don't own the house, I rent. I will spend $100 on a heater I can take with me, but I'm not going to spend $300+ on insulation that won't come with me if I move out.

buy a roll or two of that foil bubble wrap, it's pretty cheap. Just tack it along the roof with a few staples. When you move take it with ya.

 

[venturesomerite]

One thing I did in a garage once to help insulate it, is I took 6 mil plastic rolls(found near the paitning supplies like in home depot) and staple it half assedly to the joists. It acts like a drop ceiling and makes the space you are trying to heat smaller, and helps keep the heat in too. fairly cheap and can be easily taken down.

 

[Jeremy5431]

I just bought a Mr. Heater Forced air heater from Northern tool $149, on sale for $99. I tired it out today and it works great. The outside air temp was 16 degrees. After 10 or 15 minutes running on low it was 53 degrees in my 550 square foot garage.