torpedo heaters
- Thread starter DCarr2
- Start date
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
Others may disagree with me but I'd say no. They may be good for temporary use but I wouldn't run one for any amount of time.
They will take the chill off if you're standing in front of it, but they don't do a very good job of warming a whole shop (particularly one that isn't insulated), they pump a lot of carbon monoxide into the room since they aren't vented to the outdoors, and they also pump a lot of moisture into the room so you'll get a layer of condensation all over everything. They're also noisy, and in many cases smelly - I used to have one, and I could only run it for short periods of time before my eyes started watering from the fumes.
They will take the chill off if you're standing in front of it, but they don't do a very good job of warming a whole shop (particularly one that isn't insulated), they pump a lot of carbon monoxide into the room since they aren't vented to the outdoors, and they also pump a lot of moisture into the room so you'll get a layer of condensation all over everything. They're also noisy, and in many cases smelly - I used to have one, and I could only run it for short periods of time before my eyes started watering from the fumes.
Yes if you have good ventilation, I have both a propane and kerosene versions, I used the propane when building the shop and if I didn't open the doors a bit I would get a head ache. I used the kerosene one to heat a 5000 sq foot shop I used to have same deal, open a door and window to get fresh air in and let the fumes out.
JRC3
Well-known member
When I was 17 and putting an engine in my car I had one running in the garage. I started to feel woozie and made it out the door where I fell on all fours in the snow. That was a close call for a dumb kid.
I have used and still have it for other things, a propane one burns cleaner but is still noisy and as stated above with the kerosene, still puts moisture in the air.
How big is the shop? How much electricity you have?
I have used and still have it for other things, a propane one burns cleaner but is still noisy and as stated above with the kerosene, still puts moisture in the air.
How big is the shop? How much electricity you have?
lakeroadster
Well-known member
Sure you can. I used a kerosene torpedo heater as the sole source of heat in an unattached 24' x 32' non insulated garage back when I was in my early 20's.
Looking back on it... it really sucked though.
It's really like a little jet engine sitting there running,
It stank of kerosene.
It was really loud.
And it results in a lot of condensation on anything and everything that is steel.
It was a means to an end... and I was glad when I could afford to insulate and get a better heater.
Looking back on it... it really sucked though.
It's really like a little jet engine sitting there running,
It stank of kerosene.
It was really loud.
And it results in a lot of condensation on anything and everything that is steel.
It was a means to an end... and I was glad when I could afford to insulate and get a better heater.
nafterclifen
Well-known member
Aside from being loud, they throw HEAT! I used one many a times in an uninsulated 3 car garage with mostly open rafters and would do so again without hesitation if I had to. Yes, there is a bit of smell but it never bothered me. Nor did I have any issues with moisture, condensation, etc.
Seppala
Well-known member
An old aquaintance years ago rigged up a contraption made of metal reminiscent of a swinging small pet door that he directed the blast at from the torpedo heater. This kept the roar of the heater outside. He also rigged a thermostat inside his garage that signaled when the heater should fire. Worked well for his garage.
Richard Cranium
Well-known member
they are not the best choice, But I have used both kerosene heater and propane. I prefer propane, due to smell. Just need ventilation. I also have a thermostat that controls the heat by shutting it off and turning it back on when it needs heat again.
I used one for many years. I have carbon monoxide detectors in the garage/shop that would kick on, if I didn't have the garage door cracked open about 2 inches. I later added two 1500 W toaster Electric heaters and then added a 5000 W shop heater. I didn't like the moisture accumulating on the garage door and metal machines from the propane salamander. I only used the salamander for initial boost, then turned it off, shut the garage doors and went to electric. December January and February usually ran me two x 20 lb. lp + 100–$200 in Electric heat.
Subsequently, I finally added a 30,000 BTU overhead radiant NG heater. Since, the salamander, the two toasters and salamander have been removed and sold. Since going NG, my operating costs have dropped to about $80 a month on average which is about 50% of the operating cost prior.
I never keep my garage/shop below 62°F, but when I'm in there, the thermostat is always set to 68°F or higher. I never park cars in my shop.
I consider this a learning the hard way, Or a step-by-step investment that I wish I didn't take. But it was what was affordable to me at the time.
Subsequently, I finally added a 30,000 BTU overhead radiant NG heater. Since, the salamander, the two toasters and salamander have been removed and sold. Since going NG, my operating costs have dropped to about $80 a month on average which is about 50% of the operating cost prior.
I never keep my garage/shop below 62°F, but when I'm in there, the thermostat is always set to 68°F or higher. I never park cars in my shop.
I consider this a learning the hard way, Or a step-by-step investment that I wish I didn't take. But it was what was affordable to me at the time.
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BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
Years ago, I had a 90,000 BTU propane torpedo heater that was used on service calls for heating the machine and immediate work area in larger non insulated buildings, or working outside. I would not run it without an open door in smaller confined areas. Later on; that propane heater died and was replaced with a 70,000 BTU kerosene/fuel oil/diesel fuel torpedo heater. I picked the 70,000 BTU size because it is small enough to carry like a suitcase, even when filled with fuel. Both heaters worked well for the intended use. The propane unit burned cleaner; but that kerosene/fuel oil/diesel fuel burner is far from any disappointment. Would I use them in My shop? I had no reason to because I had a propane furnace and electrically heated shop before I ever owned a torpedo heater.
But I thought highly enough of that 70,000 BTU heater that I gave My Boys similar heaters for Christmas some years back.. They have made good use of theirs in the same manner that I have..
They are not intended to replace a properly installed furnace in a shop; but I wouldn't be without one for a portable heat source.
But I thought highly enough of that 70,000 BTU heater that I gave My Boys similar heaters for Christmas some years back.. They have made good use of theirs in the same manner that I have..
They are not intended to replace a properly installed furnace in a shop; but I wouldn't be without one for a portable heat source.
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Outlander
Well-known member
I use a propane one, but frankly I am not out there all winter. Occasional use only. Garage is uninsulated but you guys are making me think of getting a carbon monoxide detector.
Is that a fall smell in the air.............or kerosene. it's heater time again.