Patio heater inside barn?

[Fifty]

I'm moving into a giant old shop/barn which currently has no heat. It is 50x100 and the peak of the roof is probably at least 45' high so I have no chance of ever heating the whole thing. I need something to heat the area I'm working in. I'm in NW Oregon and it doesn't get too cold but I like it warm.

What do you think about using a "patio" heater inside where I am working? Do they actually work? Is there a better option? I probably need to use propane unless something else works out to be cheaper, natural gas is not available.

 

[Highbeam]

Those propane palm tree looking patio heaters are perfect for your application. Nearly silent in operation and use minimal gas. I've been in wall tents with them and in barns with them during cold weather and they work great!

With any unvented fuel burning device indoors your concerns should be with moisture and ventilation. Radiant propane burners are awesome when you have no hope of raising the actual room temp.

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

I hope your working in a "tin" barn. I have the same barn, mine is all wood, I wont even let anyone smoke near it, let alone run a heater in it. Mine is over a hundred years old (spelled dry) and full of hay, and animals.

Not sure if your aware of the replacement cost for a 5k sqft "real" barn is.. look into it, should leave you speechless.

If youre just wanting to heat "yourself", Id recommend an infrared heater, run on propane, that is directional, no sense in heat 360 degrees (patio heater), when you only need heat in on direction.

 

[Fifty]

I hope your working in a "tin" barn. I have the same barn, mine is all wood, I wont even let anyone smoke near it, let alone run a heater in it. Mine is over a hundred years old (spelled dry) and full of hay, and animals.

It is old wood, but I'll let it burn before I freeze. There are no animals or hay in mine. I've got enough space that there could literally be 20' of empty space on every side of the heater besides what I'm working on.

If youre just wanting to heat "yourself", Id recommend an infrared heater, run on propane, that is directional, no sense in heat 360 degrees (patio heater), when you only need heat in on direction.

You mean like this?
http://www.harborfreight.com/30000-btu-tank-top-propane-heater-67856-4912.html
I've had a smaller one of those before but I really didn't like it, although that could be because I was outside fighting the wind...

Eventually I'm going to have a 2 story heated 20x50 work area at the back, probably with electric heat, but it's going to get cold before I finish that.

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

You mean like this?
http://www.harborfreight.com/30000-btu-tank-top-propane-heater-67856-4912.html

Yes, in basic design, the are tube heaters (overhead) cant recall the name, I had one in my last shop, and then there are squares and rectangles several times larger than what HF is showing there that will heat a couple hundred square feet and keep you toasty. Take a look at the WW Grainger Catalog, for ideas.

A buddy have the tubes and the large rectangular ones in his shop, its 5k sqft chicken hatchery that is now a shop (not insulated), it has a 12' lid, and he heats with used oil, the tube (reverbray or something like that) and the infrared hanging models.

Edit, found it, http://www.reverberray.com/

Look at this page, shows examples of what Im talking about,

http://www.reverberray.com/products/commercial-industrial-products-usa/

Id look for this stuff used, or in a competing brand, Im sure its pricey but works well and is easy on the wallet for big spaces, being that it heats you, and not the air.