Portable Propane Heater? What should i look for?

[marcello7x]

Im looking to buy a propane heater asap! For now its going to be the main heat source in my garage. Its 24x28, has an opening to a loft where the heights point is at-least 20ft. Not to mention horrible insulation.

Im not planning to keep it running all the time, just take the bite off when im in there, couple hours a 2-3 night a week, and weekends. This is just temporary, as the garage will get renovated. I'm getting estimates now on roofing, once its done i'll insulate the roof and work my way from there.

When the garage is said and done, it will have a completely different heating system, and the heater will be used in an enclosed car trailer while racing in the cold months.

I have no idea what to look for, and will be buying used off of craiglist or something similar. I was looking into torpedo heaters, but im not sure. What do you guys suggest.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Torpedo style are noisy.

IHMO, get a 1 or 2 "tank top" heaters like this from Mr. Heater. The down side is that they have no fan.

They say "outdoor use" but if it is like your average garage and not well sealed and you are only going to be using it a couple of hours at a time, don't worry about.

As for inside an enclosed trailer ??? Their Big Buddy heaters will shut off on low oxygen.

 

[Mmfh]

I used one of the Big buddy heaters for a little while. With your garage it would keep you warm if you were close by. Not really good for an large area, also the one I had used a bunch of gas!

I bought one of those Parabolic dish heaters from Costco. It gets hot fast! If you are working in the cold you can have it farther away from you and still keep warm. It projects the heat out from the unit about 10'. It is electric though.

Going to take a real heater of some size to heat your garage if Its Cold outside. That Parabolic heater would work really well in that car trailer, if you have power.

 

[jvitez]

I've got a propane torpedo heater, radiant heater, a Portable Buddy, and a kerosene convection heater. The torpedo style do heat well and circulate the air but they are noisy. My favorite is the propane radiant heater:

http://www.mrheater.com/product.aspx?catid=44&id=38

However, you'll need some big heat for a poorly insulated garage with a 20 ft peak. 35K btu won't do it, if you want to heat the whole space that is. I'd recommend something like these:

http://www.mrheater.com/product.aspx?catid=45&id=25

http://www.mrheater.com/product.aspx?catid=45&id=26

They've got a variable setting so you can crank it up when you go out, then turn it down later when you're comfy. They do get hot though. Just make sure you get big enough btu to make it worth your while. I can have all 3 of my heater going plus a couple of plug in electric heaters, and it barely makes a dent in 1800 sq ft 12 ft tall garage with insulated walls but wide open ceiling, at least when it's -15C to -20C outside. If you're in a warmer climate the smaller heater should do you well.

 

[tncatadjuster]

Any chance you could use a barrel stove for a few years, I put this one in 14 years ago, and it's still what I use.

I also have the dual element tank top propane and it is perfect for up close work, until the barrel heat up.

 

[marcello7x]

I agree i need some serious heat for my garage, yesterday was below freezing by far. I don't mind working with some layers, but when im in my thickest work coat and im still cold i have an issue.

I like the second two you posted. especially since they are collapsible for packing. Are the convection heaters noisy? I know they'll prob make some noise, but i heard the torpedo's are the worst.

 

[marcello7x]

i have a wood floor on the level i need to heat.

 

[Oldtymeflyr]

I would staple plastic to the rafters. That is going to help you out a lot.

The tank top heaters are good and put out a lot of heat. I have used the big d 75K can heaters, I really did not care for that and got rid of it. Add a fan to any heater to circulate the heat.

As far as using it in a car hauler, I would use a different heater for that purpose. A car hauler is much smaller than your current space, there is a lot of CO produced, there are just a bunch of issue to consider.

I use a 30k btu Procom with fan from Northern Tool with good results. Our garage is very well insulated and it is 42'x23'x10'(avg) height. Its on its fourth season and I have no real reason to switch. We have not had any moisture related issues. We use it only when in the garage.

Good Luck.

Rick

 

[marcello7x]

really tempted to pick up one of these on my way home:

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...angId=-1&keyword=propane heater&storeId=10051

going to research more now during my lunch break.

 

[jjpp]

Just so that you are aware the one you listed needs a 100# tank, I went with the smaller one because you can get by with a 20# tank. I use it in a 30x40x12 and it works ok as temporary heat.
It is loud on high but my torpedo is still quite a bit louder.

 

[5lima30]

Torpedo style are noisy.

IHMO, get a 1 or 2 "tank top" heaters like this from Mr. Heater. The down side is that they have no fan.

They say "outdoor use" but if it is like your average garage and not well sealed and you are only going to be using it a couple of hours at a time, don't worry about.

As for inside an enclosed trailer ??? Their Big Buddy heaters will shut off on low oxygen.

+1 for the Mr. Heater tank top heaters work great and work surprisingly well for their size!

 

[nehog]

really tempted to pick up one of these on my way home:

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc...angId=-1&keyword=propane heater&storeId=10051

going to research more now during my lunch break.

As mentioned above you will need a 100 lb tank for that one (I used to use one) and they habe a number of faults:

1. Noisy. Sounds like a rocket taking off.
2. Lots of smell.
3. Heat goes up, you must use a ceiling fan to get the hot air down to the floor.

 

[marcello7x]

I may have found a great deal on a heater and 100lbs tank on cl. if not ill pick up a tank top and call it a day.

On a side not I started foaming around the horribly installed windows. For now im going to put a huge tarp or plastic over the loft opening. Its large enough to lose all the heat through but small enough to block up.

Im also going to put plastic over the windows. Do you guys just use painters plastic, or is a particular stuff ppl normally use.

 

[marcello7x]

Actually is the tanktop ok for a trailer? And is a dual unit worth it.

 

[m0823]

I've got a propane torpedo heater, radiant heater, a Portable Buddy, and a kerosene convection heater. The torpedo style do heat well and circulate the air but they are noisy. My favorite is the propane radiant heater:

http://www.mrheater.com/product.aspx?catid=44&id=38

QUOTE]

I have the same and it works great! Depending on your area and insulation you may have to keep it close to you but definitely a good heater.

 

[kapster]

I'm in same boat as you, dont want to heat the whole thing just warm you up some. I've been looking the last 2 winters and keep putting it off. I think radiant is way to go for these kind of situations.
I was either going to get a tank top propane or this kerosene radiant heater from menards but it looks like its out of stock at my store now.

http://www.menards.com

Northern tool also sells a different brand (same heater).

 

[marcello7x]

I guess my post never went through. I pulled the trigger on a mr heat propane radiant heater like the one jvitez posted the link to. Good price on amazon.

 

[kapster]

You'll have to let me know how you like it, should be good. I have a feeling the tank top would be a little small.

 

[Falcon67]

You should like the Mr. Heater - I have something similar:

 

[Tribalvision]

Let me know how the radiant heater works. I have about the same size garage as you and I was looking for a portable heater. the Radiant unit seems a little on the small size. It might have to run for awhile before you work in the garage. Looking forward to real world results.

 

[marcello7x]

The one thing i really liked in concept about it is that i can easily wheel it over to where im working and point it in my general area. I honestly don't think it will warm the entire garage quickly, but keep me warm enough where im working to not need a coat and gloves.

 

[Falcon67]

24x28? I think you're going to be surprised at how well that Mr Heater thing might do. I have 960 sq/ft, completely uninsulated right now (work in progress as you can see from my thread). Five 10" vent holes in the roof and no ceiling, walls bare concrete board. I can run my tank top plus the 5 kW electric and get the place up to the mid 60s in a couple of hours with the outside air in the 30s or 40s. That's about 41,000 BTU.

 

[jvitez]

Yes, good point about supplemental electric heat. If you find the radiant is taking too long, you can always use a plug in 1500 W electric heater in addition to the propane one to get the temp up, then shut off the electric heaters if electricity is more expensive than propane where you are.

Actually, depending on the number of 15 amp or higher 120V circuits you have in your garage, you could plug in one 1500 W heater per circuit, plus the propane one. Even if electricity is expensive, you'd only be running them for a short while until the propane heater took over. I've seen basic fan forced electric heats run ~ $15 on sale, so a pretty cheap way for temp heat.

I had a well insulated and sealed 22x24 attached garage in my old house. The 30,000 btu torpedo heater would warm it up in about an hour, even if it was -25C outside. I do live in Siberia however.

 

[dave67fd]

Just remember all these heaters can introduce tons of moisture especially in uninsulated space. Prepare for all your tools and cars to sweat.

 

[browntown]

I cant help much, but I had the car club guys over to wrench on cars and these proved woefully inadequate:

and

 

[rsa]

I'm getting estimates now on roofing, once its done i'll insulate the roof and work my way from there.

After i have my roofing redone i will be looking into this as well. Im in the same exact situation being that my garage is an old barn converted over. I want to keep as much loft space as possible.

If you haven't already, you may wish to consider planning your insulation and venting strategy before doing the roof.

 

[marcello7x]

If you haven't already, you may wish to consider planning your insulation and venting strategy before doing the roof.

Why is that? This is my first house, so i don't really have much experience other than being free labor when i was 15 when my parents renovated their house!

 

[rsa]

Why is that?

I sent you a PM rather than drifting further off-topic.

Stewart

 

[Falcon67]

Just remember all these heaters can introduce tons of moisture especially in uninsulated space. Prepare for all your tools and cars to sweat.

Why I prefer electric and the propane is backup. No fumes. We are really dry here usually, so moisture is not really a problem from a small heater. Our condensation issues are from weather swings. This picture is Monday, by afternoon it was 68 and Tuesday it was 75. Yesterday was 70s, 31 this AM, 50s rain tomorrow. We're all gonna get new and old pmonia.

 

[Vern X-100]

This was the cheapest dollar per BTU I was able to find within my broke-*** budget when I was shopping. We're in an uninsulated workshop and while it doesn't run us out of the building, it does take the chill out. We only work on Saturdays in the winter so it doesn't get used much, but when we do crank it up it's a nice little heater.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_503599_503599

 

[marcello7x]

I sent you a PM rather than drifting further off-topic.

Stewart

Thanks for the great info. After reading that link that lead to another to another i've formulated a plan that should work well for my garage and keep the new roof safe. Along with staying in a reasonable budget.

Its just means i won't be insulating anything till this summer when i can work outside and do the work myself.

 

[marcello7x]

This was the cheapest dollar per BTU I was able to find within my broke-*** budget when I was shopping. We're in an uninsulated workshop and while it doesn't run us out of the building, it does take the chill out. We only work on Saturdays in the winter so it doesn't get used much, but when we do crank it up it's a nice little heater.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_503599_503599

I looked into those, from youtube videos and comments here i passed. They sounded like jet engines on the videos. And supposedly all the heat rises strait up, into my un-insulated loft.

 

[marcello7x]

Just got a call, heater was just delivered! Going to try it out tonight i hope. I'll give you guys a review once i do.

 

[kapster]

So how did the heater workout? I never bought one last year, thinking about it again as we're getting closer to winter.

 

[Burtonrider10022]

So how did the heater workout? I never bought one last year, thinking about it again as we're getting closer to winter.

If you do decide to get the tank-top heater, Harbor Freight sells one for $75 on sale (almost always). So use a 20% off coupon and it's only $59 for the double unit. I looked into the company that makes the HF model, and it is the exact same company/product as the ones in HD/Menards/Lowes, except the big-box stores list them for about $90. I bought one and build quality is pretty good, but I have not had a chance to hook it up or turn it on yet.

http://www.harborfreight.com/30000-btu-btu-tank-top-propane-heater-67856.html

 

[kapster]

That's good to know, I was leaning toward the mr heater thinking for same price as harbor freight it would be built better. Guess not. I just wonder how close you have to be to feel the heat off those.
Guy at work is selling a propane convection heater 30 to 80,000 btu, he wants $45. Which would be better if its hopeless heating the building, just want some heat?