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Portable heaters

Scott34

Scott34

Well-Known Member
Mar 16, 2007
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Cedar Rapids
So i've been looking at getting a jet heater for a garage. I do construction and am needing to get one for projects. Im curious if any of you have any suggestions. I've used kerosene heaters and they work pretty well. But I haven't used propane heaters. The one benefit of a propane heater is you dont need power to run the heater. My question or the reason im contemplating the 2 is because propane is a little more expensive but if it would last longer than kerosene, I wouldnt mind spending more. So if anyone would give there 2 cents, it would be very much appreciated. Thanks to anyone whos replies.
 
Scott34 said:
The kerosene heaters do require power for sure, but I dont believe propane ones do.
Click to expand...

One like this does not require power: Mr. Heater - America's Most Popular Portable Heaters
It also does not heat my 2 car garage very well or very quickly.

One like this requires electricity (click on owners manual, and look under "Specifications"): Mr. Heater - America's Most Popular Portable Heaters
This one did a good job of heating my friend's garage the other day when we needed it.

Hope this helps.
 
It does help. I was mainly curious if there was much heat differance and also if one was cheaper to run. But I have always liked kerosene heaters, as they produce a good amount of heat.
 
I just picked up a multi fuel torpedo heater. Its called a Kerosene heater but it can run on diesel fuel. Diesel is cheaper and much more accessible than Kerosene. I was a little worried about the fumes from diesel fuel but I have been really happy with it. It was on sale at Northern Tool...220,000 btu so it would heat up a workshop very quickly. 14 gallon fuel tank so it will run for quite a while. I use propane heaters all the time (temporary heat new houses that we build) but you have to have such a long hose in order to leave the propane tanks outside. Thought we would try to torpedo style so they can be moved around inside the house. Will probably go buy a couple more before the sale ends.
 
One thing you want to watch out for is any heater that burns fuel and isn't vented to the exterior is going to cause a lot of condensation on metal surfaces. I discovered this the hard way when I uncovered my table saw and pulled open a drawer on my rolling tool chest- everything had a nice coat of rust on it. I've gone to using electric on milder days and coating my tools with WD 40 in the fall just in case I do have to use my propane heater. If anybody has any better ideas I'd appreciate hearing them. Also, if you do go with propane you're going to want to open a door or window occasionally. I've gotten pretty light-headed at times when I've forgotten to do this.
 
Anybody used a shop radiant heater? I've read that their more efficient because they actually heat surfaces rather than heating the air. I think most are electric but I'm not sure...
 
besserheimerphat said:
Anybody used a shop radiant heater? I've read that their more efficient because they actually heat surfaces rather than heating the air. I think most are electric but I'm not sure...
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That is one of the electrics I now use most of the time. The one I have is undersized for my garage when the temp dips below 50 though. I would definitely consider a larger one in the furure.
 
I did some looking at McMaster.com and saw that they have larger, portable, LP-fueled radiant heaters as well that went up to 35,000 BTU/hr on a 20lb propane tank or 125,000 BTU/hr on a 100lb tank. The also have a portable natural gas version that runs up to 212,000 BTU/hr.
 
Covenant Clone said:
I just picked up a multi fuel torpedo heater. Its called a Kerosene heater but it can run on diesel fuel. Diesel is cheaper and much more accessible than Kerosene. I was a little worried about the fumes from diesel fuel but I have been really happy with it. It was on sale at Northern Tool...220,000 btu so it would heat up a workshop very quickly. 14 gallon fuel tank so it will run for quite a while. I use propane heaters all the time (temporary heat new houses that we build) but you have to have such a long hose in order to leave the propane tanks outside. Thought we would try to torpedo style so they can be moved around inside the house. Will probably go buy a couple more before the sale ends.
Click to expand...

What was the reasoning behind this? Just curious as I am really in the market for getting something to head the garage as well.
 
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