Propane Heaters

[Oscar David]

Anybody using one of these to heat an outdoor sim room? I’m finding that I am running out of a 20lb tank after a few hours a day for three or four days? I’d love to hear everyone else’s experiences with use? Seems far higher burn rate than the manufacturer suggests is to be expected. This is a 30-60K output heater if that matters. Thanks.

[Ironstrokes]

I've used them in the past. Still do use the big buddy heater on extra cold nights for some suplimental heat or when I am playing with someone else so I can heat the rest of the room well. I'm in a non insulated 2 car detached garage. Got tired of running to the store to refill the tanks (had 2). Finally bought a 100ft 6/2 cable that I literally ran from my basement, across the back yard and to the garage so that I could use a 240v electric heater without having to pay an electrician all that money for a new subpanel and all. Wired a male plug to the end so I could plug it into the dryer outlet and was good to go. Added benefit of being able to take it with me if/when I eventually move.

So kind of a bootleg solution, but it has been great having that heater blasting right on me while playing out there. Doesn't heat up the entire room perfectly on cold nights, but does alright......but in the hitting area, there I end up playing with a sleevless shirt after a few minutes while it's 30 degrees outside.

Am about to at least insulate the ceiling quickly. Don't want to do the walls since I like the brick look they have. Do like hearing peoples clever heating solutions as well. The propane definitely puts out more heat than the electric one when I compare for sure, but refilling is a pain.

[trhuke]

I insulated my garage ceiling and it did wonders. It was around zero outside for a couple days and the garage never got below 35. (attached garage BTW) Before the ceiling insulation it would be about a 5-10 degree difference from outside, now its around a 30 degree difference.
My propane heater took it from 35 to 60 in abut twenty minutes, couple little electric heaters keep it there. 600 sq. ft. garage, 9 1/2 foot ceilings.

I was shocked at how well the ceiling insulation worked. Did the walls first and it helped but not NEARLY as much as the ceiling.

BTW installing insulation above my garage, (low roofline) was one sucky job. A cheap set of knee pads for about $10 is well worth the money I discovered, crawling around on joists is tough on the knees.

[Tonysmjc]

I use mr buddy
I have 2 small units in an in insulated shed

i use two because they are small and I can disperse heat better

they take one lb tanks
i get about 5 hours per tank on low
and 2 or 3 on high

with a small electric at night keeping the room at 40

the tanks last 3 sessions maybe 1.5 two hours each

I’d think you should get much more out of your 20 lb tank

[calebm1001]

I’m using a forced air propane heater like the “torpedo”. Maybe 30-45k btu. Insulated detached barn. I’m getting a few weeks usage only turn it on it heat the room then off. Usually body heat keeps it good for about 30-45 minutes then I need to crank for another 5 minutes.

[Tonysmjc]

Those bullets really out heat and burn through fuel
can't beat then for big spaces and heating them up fast

[calebm1001]

They burn a normal amount in my experience. It feels like it burns more bc the fan is so loud but for a 24x24x10 space it only needs ten minutes before everyone is sweating during MIchigan winters.

I think it gets 6-8 hours full blast and close to 10 hours on low. Can’t beat it.

[Oscar David]

Im getting a tremendous amount of heat out of my unit but they burn fuel like crazy. Goong to try the 15 minutes on and then 30 off trick.

[Tonysmjc]

Sorry for not being precise
they do use the normal amount of fuel for the amount of heat they produce

i was comparing them to my little mr buddies that are pretty efficient on their one lb tanks