Product: Mr Heater Buddy Portable Heater 4,000 – 9,000 BTU
Price: Average $149.99 CDN (as of October, 2021)
Places to buy: Amazon.ca (Canada) / Amazon.com (USA)
Output: 4,000 – 9,000 BTU
Warranty: 1 year manufacturer’s limited warranty (new products), 90 days factory reconditioned heaters.
Recommendation: If you are here thinking about it, I say BUY one
Mr Heater Buddy Portable Propane Heater – 4,000 – 9,000 BTU, Product Overview
If you have come to this page you already know that Karolina and I hunt and enjoy nature in general. You also have probably discovered that we Keep Smart, so we are always looking at ways we can make our time outdoors more enjoyable while not breaking the bank. (You know that means we look for cheap and effective tools and tricks to help us out).
Well Canadian spring bear, summer camping, and fall deer/bear, etc. seasons have all become much more enjoyable overnight thanks to this heater taking the nip out of the air.
The Mr Heater Buddy Portable Propane Heater – 4,000 – 9,000 BTU is a radiant heater that uses liquid propane, either from a 1lb bottle or a larger propane tank with the use of an adapter hose and fuel filter, or an oil free adapter hose (specifically built for Buddy Heaters – amazon.ca CDN / amazon.com USA). This was a selling feature for us, as you don’t need to switch bottles and re-light the heater in the middle of the night.
The features that come with this portable heater are all that is necessary for worry free warmth. The single control knob has 4 settings including “OFF” which is the first position. The 2nd setting is “Pilot” which starts the gas flow, and in this position if you press the knob down will activate the Piezo Spark, igniting your heater. Once lit, you would then turn the knob to your desired heat setting, either 4,000 BTU (low) or 9,000 BTU (high). Those represent your 3rd and 4th settings.
Your Mr Heater Buddy Portable Propane Heater is also equipped with an Oxygen Detection Safety Pilot (ODS), which will shut-off the gas when oxygen levels get too low. As well as a tip over safety shut-off. For ease of use and transport this Mr Heater comes with a regulator that swivels for easy attachment of your propane source, as well as a convenient carry handle that folds down and out of the way.
Practical Use Experience
Running this inside a house, a tent, and a vehicle are all things that we have personally tried. Now a word of warning, many sites and reviews you find will point to the fact that the Mr Heater Buddy Portable Propane Heater is burning liquid propane gas (even though it is not a true open flame) which consumes oxygen, and therefor can cause risk when used in an enclosed area.
That being said, if you have a sufficient airflow, such as in a tent, or if in a vehicle/RV, a window open, etc. you should be fine in combination with the OSD. If you are still nervous or believe the area you will use it in does not have sufficient airflow for your comfort you can always use a battery powered carbon monoxide detector as a secondary line of defense.
Heating Abilities
The specs indicate that this is sufficient to heat an area of up to 200-225 square feet. From my personal experience that is going to depend on the material of your structure. The heater works quite well in a building or vehicle, when you move to a tent environment, it will not be as efficient depending on the materials. Even though the area of a tent, is smaller than the 200-225 square feet, the cold air will permeate the material quicker than a solid structure.
Ice fishing tents, and wall tents are designed with a thicker material to provide a layer of insulation, as a result this Mr Heater is quite capable of keeping them warm and even toasty depending on the outside temperature. I have used this in a polyester/nylon tent which is not built to be a winter use tent. Inside that tent, the heater is capable of taking the chill out but as the temperature drops the ability to keep the tent toasty also drops. Keep in mind, with a proper sleeping bag, and the chill being taken out of the air, this still is a very welcome addition.
Many reviews you can find will indicate you will be comfortable in ice fishing shacks/tents in temps between -15C to -30C (5F to -22F), whereas most people in traditional tents are using this down to about 0C (32F) and remaining comfortable. Our experience aligns with what others seem to find as well.
Caution
The heater emits heat from the front of the unit, but also has venting at the top of the burner which allows an extreme amount of heat to escape directly up. Because of this you need to ensure that you have ample space above the heater (not just in front of it) when using it inside a structure. I would recommend at least 4 to 5 feet. I have used this in a vehicle where it was positioned off the ground within a few feet of the ceiling (in that part of the vehicle). After about 30 minutes we detected an odor, and upon looking we discovered that the ceiling was starting to turn black and char. Needless to say we repositioned the heater.
Upon further research on the product, I discovered I wasn’t the only one who discovered this while using the heater. However others have commented on the amount of space needed in front of the heater due to clothing etc. in proximity becoming charred.
Make sure the front and top of the device have ample space for the heat to disperse to avoid possible fire hazards.
Pros and Cons of the Mr Heater Buddy Portable Propane Heater
Pros:
- Safety features (OSD, Tip Over shut-off sensor)
- Portability (Dimensions – 15″H x 13.4″W x 7.7″D, foldable carry handle, weight 10.6lbs)
- Run time ( 3-6 hours on a 1lb bottle, 48-110 hours when attached to a 20lb tank)
- Warranty ( 1 year limited manufacturer warranty)
- Heating capabilities (up to 225 square feet depending on the material of the structure you are in)
Cons:
- For overnight experiences you will need multiple 1lb bottles or have to bring in a larger propane tank
- The top side venting for the burner (this causes an extreme amount of heat to flow directly up from the unit requiring a sizable overhead buffer zone)
- The bottom is smooth, so you need to place it on a textured surface to prevent it from sliding if you have placed it on an elevated surface.
Is It Worth It?
My opinion is that this device is worth every penny. We get good use out of it and aside from the cons (which are more along the lines of minor inconveniences) most people that have complaints either seemed to be related to unrealistic expectations, or a defective unit. Most complaints (which are far less than the positives) are about units that don’t light, which should be dealt with by the supplier or the warranty and fixed relatively quickly.
We use this in a hunting blind, tent, vehicle and unattached un-insulated garage. It has more than paid for itself with the comfort that it has provided. Just be aware of the need for a fresh air source, and spacing in front of and above the unit.
Keep Smart – Stay Warm
If you like the modern day conveniences that can be subtly added to your outdoor adventures, this is definitely a recommended item. Keep Smart, take precautions, stay warm, and feel free to drop comments about your experiences once you take our recommendation and buy your own Mr Heater.
Scott