So I finally have some heat in my shop so that I can work in it during the winter months. I have been deciding on what to get and how much I really wanted to spend. The heat system that I really want is a ceiling mounted gas heater made by Modine Hot Dawg, I will eventually get one but for now this heater will be suffice.
So the unit that I purchased was a Mr Heater BIG Buddy. I shopped around for the best price and found it at Menard's for 30-40 dollars cheaper then anywhere else in town. It is a portable propane heater that I could use pretty much anywhere. When I was in the aisle at Menard's I was contemplating whether to get this or a forced air propane heater (Torpedo heater, Salamander) or whatever else people call it. I decided on the BIG Buddy.
Steve who is the Plumbing department manager through in the hose and filter for free. Retail value on this was roughly $25.00. So total savings were $55.00 - $65.00 for this unit. While I was there I picked up a few other items such as a 20 lb propane tank and a bottle of fuel starter for our pellet stove and a 1 gallon Stanley shop vac which I will review in another post.
After getting home and hooking up the tank and hose I realized it needed 4-D Batteries and a fuel filter . So I will have to go them tomorrow. The batteries are for the Fan.
So as you can see in the pictures you can either put one to two 1 pound propane canisters or hook up two 20 pound tanks. If you want the bigger tanks you will have to buy hoses to hook them up. Also when you purchase the hoses you will need a fuel filter for each hose because propane is dirty and there needs to be some sort of filtration so you do not ruin your heater.
11/22/2014
I went back to Menard's and bought the Fuel Filter and also picked up 2 one pound propane canisters for a backup if I run out the bigger tank while working in the shop. I have it all hooked up now but the temperature outside is 63 degrees. I did not run it as long as I hoped for but for the time that I had it running my shop did heat up. I actually had to turn it off because it got to warm in there.
So the unit is for indoor/outdoor use but I took a precautionary measure by opening a window to let some fresh air in. I will have to get a carbon monoxide detector just to have another safe guard when using the heater.
The unit is light and compact so if you need to bring it with camping or tailgating at a football game or just want to sit on your deck/porch in colder weather just to enjoy the outside this is the unit to buy.
