Mr Heater Buddy - Complete Review - Not good for Van Life
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- Опубліковано 26 лип 2024
- This is complete review of the Mr Heater Buddy. I have used the Mr Heater Buddy heater in a tent, van and teardrop trailer. In this complete review I will discuss the pros, cons, how to properly connect a large tank and who this heater is good for and why I don't think its good for Van Life.
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Your Primal Outdoors - Camping and Overlanding, I am living the van life in my Ford E350 4x4 Van traveling around the remote public land system in Oregon
I bought one of these years ago for emergency use here at the house. Last year when the power went off in Texas, during our freeze-pocalypse, the heater made its first appearance. I did have the regulator and hose to use with the big tank and it kept us warm. I was glad to have it available. Reviews like this influenced my buying decision, so thank you Jason.
I’ve used Buddy for longer than I can remember, in tents, van campers, and augmenting my class-c. Moisture is a problem with most propane auxiliary heaters. I always put a USB fan on to move air around to help alleviate that. These are very good portable heaters when used with their little canisters or a large bottle via a hose. Thanks for mentioning that the filter fills up as it does its job, mine is due for replacement.
They have a new shelf that you can buy to put a wood stove fan on to help move the air. I use refillable Flame King 1pound tanks. I’ve refilled my tanks over 25 times. It’s a great option to using the 20 pounders. Best of luck. Skillet.
@@1990westfalia I concur with you on the the Flame King refillables. People who use the Coleman or other brand disposable 1 pounder fill the landfill really fast. A one time event is okay but If you plan on using those 1pounder frequently an investment in the refillable Flame King is the way to go. It pays itself in a few refill (just do the math).
News Flash: Those 1pounder tanks (whether disposable or refillable) are worth GOLD right now. Supply chain issue. People are willing to pay top dollars if you sell it. I sold a few for $90 a piece. First it was toilet paper and now propane tanks. What is next?
Flame King makes DOT approved refillable 1lb bottles to avoid using those single use bottles.
We’ve used the Tough Buddy version with two burners for over 10 years in our 12x16 band room. Love these things. Great product and great review!!!
This is one of the best videos I have found explaining the pros and cons for these heaters; very informative, thank you.
Nice review. I bought one yesterday . Replaced my old one lost in a wildfire. Many uses for me. Roof top tent winter camping. Warm up my enclosed trailer before trying to start my atv in 30 below weather. Doing maintenance on my truck in the driveway. Putting a tarp over the truck with a little heat makes a huge difference .
I think you nailed it. I've owned two of the smaller Mr. Heater Little Buddy heaters. I ended up selling both partly because of the problems you mentioned, but more because of the instability of top-heavy design and the fact it's so tall that the headliner in my minivan was getting too hot with the Little Buddy on the floor. All I wanted was about 3,000 BTUs because this about equals a 1,000 watt electric heater and it will run for 7 hours on a one-pound bottle or 70 hours on a 11-lb "squatty" refillable tank. (Propane tanks are filled to only 90% capacity so that there's a gas pocket for expansion of the liquid. Without the gas pocket, hydrostatic pressure can literally stretch the tank the way you described.) What I'm trying now is a Texsport golf cart heater. It's rated 3,000 BTUs. It doesn't have a low oxygen sensor. I always crack open a window near the heater for make-up air and I have a carbon monoxide alarm. I plan to only run the heater an hour or so in the mornings because I don't want to sit inside the van (a 2012 Chevrolet Express 3500 one-ton) all morning. The idea of camping is to spend time outdoors. I know you "get it.". Keep on truckin' (or vannin')!
Thank you. Really appreciated your extra thorough review with its pros, cons, who for, who probably not for, safety and misc.
Apreciate the video! I'm using a 20lb tank and had no idea about that filter.
Great review as always. I have used mine in my hunting tent for several years with no problems. Decided to buy it based on your previous videos in the roof top tent. Use it long enough to take the chill off before bed and getting up in the morning. I also keep a CO detector as added safety.
Good point on detention.
We use two CO detectors from different manufacturers.
We use two smoke detectors from different manufacturers.
Excellent review my man. I've used my buddy heater in a tent and my truck camper. I now use the Flame King refillable 1 lb. cylinders too.
A very good review Jason. Keep them coming.
Watched all of the vids, even the backpacking days, love it all! I’m just going back to all of it today to give all the vids a like since no joke i watch every single one of them. Keep it up! RIP wheeler.
My Mister Buddy is only for a backup situation. Thanks for the advice Jason!
Spot on review of this heater. I've used a few in various vans and always found condensation to be an issue - especially in winter weather when it was damp. The annoying thing I always found with them though is that even on low they are overpowered for a van - other than when I was doing true winter camping in very cold temperatures. I'm not using it in a 21' travel trailer that I bought this summer and it seems to work better in the trailer due to more space, easy ventilation, and more room to heat. Still thinking about installing a diesel heater though at some point. The RV furnace that came with the trailer was old enough I never even considered trying to turn it on! LOL
Just installed one of the 2kw diesel heaters in out trailer. Works great and produces enough heat that you can leave a vent open to further reduce condensation. They use very little electricity and diesel.
If you use Mr Heater specific 10 foot hose you can use a bigger propane tank and NOT have to use a fuel filter.
AWESOME tip on the Cookie Sheet. Thanks for sharing!
Straight to the points of interest. My kind of video
Excellent information. Very useful.
I am planning a camping trip and was thinking of a way of staying warm. Great idea in using the buddy
Thanks for a great review
Great review, lots of info. Thanks!
Good vid. I have been refilling the greenies for years. But not too much. 3-4 times and I toss them. Never had a problem. Your buddy overfilled his. Not hard to do.
Good review on this video. Thanks.
Thank you Sir for making this video. GOD BLESS YOU 🙌 🙏 ❤️
Excellent information. Thanks!
Great job,spot on info,propex is possibly the best option ,to many maintenance problems with the gas and diesel heaters
I'm going to look up and get the filters, I use 20 lbs tanks on the big buddy for emergency heat.
I've got the Mr. Heater model that goes directly on top of the 11-gal propane tanks I use for my square-drop trailer.....I use in the outdoor shower on my trailer if it's cold for nice sauna effect lol....the trailer has a HS200 built in which is very nice.
they're great for a short term solution. Weekend in the Van, etc. Long term, they would suck back too much propane and be very expensive. Long term, Diesel heater is the way to go.
Condensation is only ever an issue with improper ventilation and air movement. Small fan and a cracked window has always done me well.
Diesel heaters would be more expensive due to gas inflation and being hard to store I assume?
With the price of diesel currently I'll stick with propane
Thank you for you are going to save a lot of people some headaches. I get frustrated when youtubers become afraid of criticizing any product. We want the good and the bad.
Condensation is unfortunately something lots learn about the hard way…I’ve seen some bus and van designs that look way cool but all that window condensation is going to drip down into these impossible to reach deep crevices.
Wow you know your stuff. Thanks for the info!
Like many, I camp out of the back of my pickup. I use the smallest heater by Little Buddy Heaters. I only run it for 15-20 minutes in the mornings and evenings, when needed. Very reliable, until they fail at least. I had the same model in this video, quit on me when I was in Moab. I replaced it with the smaller model, and like it better.
For getting in and out of bed. Just short stints. An electric blanket is a really good option to keep warm at night after you bed down. Not a really big draw if you have one of the larger Jackerys.
Fantastic information !
I'll let everybody know now I've been living in my 4Runner now for about a year and I use a Buddy Heater I sleep with it no problem keep a window open that's all you need it's safe enough to use inside your vehicle
These buddy heaters are great. I agree for temporary use they're perfect just be mindful on its use!
Very helpful;thank you !!
Been refilling the same ones for 5 years now. No problem. Works better than spending 10$ for one tank
Hi! How are you?
Tomorrow is already the weekend this week.
I hope you have good health and good things on weekends and holidays. **
I’ve been using mine for several years since I saw it in one of your videos. Always thought it was cool when you would heat your water by having it above the Mr. Buddy Heater. Hope you’re doing well…Murph
In Feb 21 in TX 🥶 , it was a savior 🤗. It kept our central bathroom Warm . The heat leaked out to rest of 2000 sq ft house . Keeping 60 degree in Day. Turned off b4 bed to awake at 53 , better than my neighbors . Used 20lbs plus All our 1lb bottles . Moisture wasn't a problem . Knowledge allows Smart usage . Buddy heater is nearly 30 yrs old and functioning 😲 .
I been living in my van 9 years with my buddy heater. No issues. Leaving front windows 1 to 2 inches down. My 2 20 pound propane bottles fasten behind my driverseat to be near open windows. Buy a hose to connect heater to the 20 pound bottles. Lil bottles only go for about 4 hours.
Check out the dyna-glo grab n go XL. It's 5500 or 18k it's cheaper, more durable and heats very well. I have a Mitsubishi fuso that's bigger than your average van and I camp through the winter here in colorado and it keeps me warm.
I live in a van and I don’t have a choice. I’m buying one of these so I don’t die.
I can run my vehicle with the heat on and once my van reaches a temp of 20 above the temp outside it will take hours for the temp to drop back down to 10 degrees above the temp outside.
So, I imagine I’ll be able to run the mr buddy heater for 10-20 minutes and then turn it off and go to bed. In the morning turn it on for another 10-20 minutes and that’s all I’ll need.
100% correct about not refilling the green propane bottles. They do NOT have an overfill valve.
Couple of tips: Keep the hose away from the front of the heater. (Unintentionally, you can burn the hose, if it it moves to front.) In small spaces, the pilot light on can act like a mini heater taking the cold off overnight. Normally, do not sleep with this running, but in a small van size space the pilot light will warm the space about 20 degrees warmer than outside.
Run the pilot light heat through some soapstone, it will hold heat like water. Or use the pilot heat to hot water tank as your radiator. Put pilot light inside of exhaust pipe, from fresh air to Fresh Air hot water tank in between. Basically keeping blame from inside your vehicle but accessible from inside vehicle at same time.
Hello Jason !
Been using these for years. My main suggestion is to stay away from the Big Buddy. Too many issues especially with the thermo coupler. I've repaired lots of that model and i always charge a flatt 100 bucks because they are a PAIN to take apart. The Mr Buddy is nice for quick easy heat. Of course after using these for years i bit the bullet and happily switched to a cheap diesel heater... I will NEVER go back. I will keep a buddy with me because they are great.. also, as for the safety feature.. My very first night living in a van 7 years ago i fell asleep with it burning... I didn't wake up dead. I have also dealt with burning bushy dog hair...lol
If removing a few screws is a PAIN for you, you're obviously in the wrong business😂😂. Nothing could be more simple to disassemble and repair.
@@squirrelcovers6340 you have zero idea what you are talking about. You have no idea how to repair them if you think it's only a
" few screws" .
All you do is make fun of others, put people down and act like you are someone or something special. You are not. At all. You are a tired loser who has nothing to give this planet nor anyone on it. I'm so glad that I didn't turn out like you.
People actually like me...
Its not meant as a primary heat source, its more supplemental, and you can easily hookup a larger propane tank with it.
can you do a review of your propex heater?
Jason, I too have used several of the Mr. Heater units over the years and condensation has been the biggest issue for me. In narrowing dowm my options for a drier heat source has led through the ringer of options. Chinese diesel? Webasto diesel or gasoline? Propex HS2000/HS2211? Although the chinese diesel heaters are popular, as are the Webasto diesel heaters, I don't want to have to carry a third fuel with me. Right now I carry spare gasoline for my Tacoma, and an LP tank for my camp stove. I am on the fence between the Wobasto gasoline heater, and the Propex HS2000 propane heater. I haven't found any dealers in the USA that have the Propex units in stock, but they might just drop ship rather than actually stock them in house.
Can you point me in the direction where you were able to source your Propex unit?
2003, we converted a 1997 Ford CF8000 commercial truck to our concept of an ExpeditionVehicle.
Nearly two decades full-time live-aboard, we heat the interior with a Wave 3 catalyst heater through a 20# / five-gallon bottle... rated 1,700Btu on LOW / 3,000Btu on HIGH.
We only use the LOW setting, perfect for our 7.5 wide by 12.5 long by 7 high interior.
For ventilation, we open three windows on three walls.
I insulated our interior with acoustic adhesive-backed against the wall, a quarter-inch gap, one-inch pink-board, another quarter-inch gap, then two-inch foil-side poly.
.
We inherited a Mr Buddy, but never used it.
According to the label, it is 4,000Btu on LOW... way too much for our level of insulation.
I didn't catch anything about how to regulate the pressure from a big tank to the heater?
Great review. Very helpful. I was using the Mr. Heater Portable Buddy model in my van this past year, connected to a 20 lb tank. I'm not sure whether the hose I was using was an aftermarket one or one from Mr. Heater, but after watching this video, I'm curious whether or not it has started to clog up due to the oils. It has started to turn off after about 5 or 10 minutes of use. If so, what is the fix? Is there a way to fix it if it is clogged? Had no idea about the filter. Good to know. Thanks for your video.
There are videos about this issue. Nothing very hard to do. Just blow off the oil clogging the pipe (that's always the same that gets clogged). 20 minute's work and you'll be fine.
Hey man thanks for the review! Exactly what I've been looking for..
Just a quick question. I'm buying a midsized suv soon (4runner) and want to use it as a space to sleep in when I'm doing small game hunts in northern Canada. Now our winters get pretty rough and am wondering what exactly the condensation negative effects are? Will this damage the vehicle? Will I get so wet that the heat may become counter productive? Can I simply live with the condensation and still have a decent night's sleep assuming my set up is good enough? Thanks so much for your awesome content
I bet over time u would get mold in ur vehicle I only say that bc I watch several van lifers that have talked about that. But I wouldn't think so if it was once n awhile..
That has been experience as well. Works great but has its limitations.
Great GREAT GREAT awesome review.
NEW SUB
I got a question, I have a
10x 20 shed that's insulated and has dry wall install. The actual square footage is 165 when you subtract the porch cut out. I'm using this as a Mini cabin for the weekend. I have a generator that supplies power to a Sub panel and from the Sub panel in the shed & I have an electric fireplace as my main source of heat, but I'm concern is, the winters in Michigan will be too cold & I would need some type of additional heat. Do you think the Mr. Big buddy heater would work in that type of space well?
Using a piece of exhaust pipe but the pilot light inside to heat hot water tank for radiated heat. Direct outside air for pilot light that goes directly back outside, hot water/oil tank in between for heating.
This way no open Flames inside tent, trailer, van,... what-have-you.
Soapstone works good also in place of water. Either way no moisture inside of your RV, just dry heat.
Kind of like the old Volkswagen heater system that runs off exhaust heat. A catalytic converter. And a non-electric heat-sensitive fan to move air. Simple non-electric heat sensitive thermostat to turn it on and off for a more elaborate system. There are a myriad of ways of building one's own system, that is safer and more fuel-efficient than what you can buy. The simple thermostat is the key.
Been there done that age 65.
Havent mentioned the difference in the cost of Buddy vs Diesel heaters
Love from India ❤
thank you! still not sure. got any ideals about getting rid of the condensation?
To evacuate humidity, we open three windows on three walls.
Nearly two decades full-time live-aboard in our ExpeditionVehicle, no issues with mold.
I live in Central Florida in my van..im going to buy one of these for $69.00..i will only use it for short periods of time..im getting the lp type...or the one lb fat cills
спасибо. всё чётко и понятно.
Yeah Buddy!
nice information...✌️✌️✌️🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹
Did you forget my RV TPMS system sample?
Did I see you today in Sisters at noon?
So it should be safe in a 6 person ⛺️ running overnight to keep warm and safe
I use that thing for 5 years everyday during the winter on my back porch where I practically lived outside. My mom has dementia I just can't stand being in the house. When going in to check on her I accidentally moved something in front of the safespace. Upon returning within 2 minutes it was the beginning of the end. The the first propane tank, big one for the grill, blew up the door in front of me and sailed me through the kitchen. 10 minutes later my house was gone along with everything I ever had and no insurance. That was the beginning of this year and I'm still reeling
I am using a honda fit for a cross country trip in November. Will probably look to camp half the time or more and take about 12 nights in crossing the country at least. It will be and my pets. Would this work for us if we keep windows cracked and have a carbon monoxide alarm, or do you think a diesel heater is justified?
That little heater would require about 1/4 of the interior space of your little car to be safe.
I love my Mr Buddy. Carry it in the Turtle as a back-up when it is -20 or -30. Also great for outside when you are trying to work on something in the extreme cold.
You can buy those little ones that are refillable in the US. Suppose to work great! Cannot get here in Canada.
I keep on in the storage box for backup, if the heater in the van goes out, I got a backup.
There are two gasses to worry about, plus the by products of combustion air. The two that most worry about are carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, the first, is lighter than air, and the second is heavier. But what people don't consider are the by products known to cause cancer? They say adequate ventilation with a Mr.Buddy, is 1 inch square for every 1000BTUs.
I believe that amount is to little. I believe it should be trippled at the very least.
From following the troubles you had with the heater in some of your old videos in the truck, I have very successfully run my heater for a few years now with an 11 lb tank and the Mr. Heater filter with the Mr. Heater brand 12' hose. That tank and hose also work great to run my Coleman stove and Zodi shower.
I've never had an issue refilling the retail 1 lb bottles, but there are risks with any pressure vessel. There are 1 lb cylinders that are safe and designed to be refilled, such as this one from Flame King. ua-cam.com/video/AKvxlhiKfFA/v-deo.html
Yay!
Google offers a translation of your 'yay'.
Apparently, in some language, 'yay' is 'summer'.
So there is that...
Our Tahoe has a.non functioning heater. Can I use this in the morning for my 20 mile commute to work?
No. It would be unsafe bouncing around inside a vehicle and it would likely shut off anyway.
That’s not a good idea.
have you ever thought of doing a van life video with chad from living the van life
Just buy the conversion hose where you can hook up 20 lb tank. 10 15 bucks
I use this in my RV, unfortunately I had 2 of these catch on fire. Fortunately I don't leave these unattended, and right there when it started to catch fire. Mr heater wasn't very helpful this time, so I posted a video showing what it started to do. I don't trust this product.
Its a superb heater but its absolute overkill for a small van.
I have one for emergencies at home, and even on low its cranks out BTUs. Personally for a tent or small camper van, just a butane gas mantle lamp will provide plenty of warmth to raise the ambient temperature and use a trickle of fuel. To put it in perspective, a Buddy heater would heat up my large, drafty living room in the middle of winter quickly. That is a TONNE of heat, and its reflected in the gas consumption.
In a small relatively compact location like a van, personally I think you need more insulating layers and a small trickle heat source to keep the air warm. This monster really is the nuclear option if you use it in a confined space.
The biggest problem with buddy heaters is they are worthless above 6500 ft in elevation. I guess it doesn't get cold in the mountains.
In the southwest your probably not camping lower than 6500 in the summer unless you like 120 degrees
Why is it worthless past 6500?
@@ChristianRaymondFilms doesn't stay lit, even per Mr Buddy website and instructions these aren't intended for elevations above 6500 ft
These heaters (Buddy Heaters specifically) have been tested repeatedly for CO emissions and unless something is wrong on your Buddy Heater, CO is not the reason you need the ventilation. The reason you need ventilation is because the heater CAN suck all the oxygen out of the room. Tests have shown that the Buddy heater is very reliable when it comes to NOT emitting carbon monoxide, but there are a lot of tests that have shown that the "low oxygen sensor" either doesn't work at all, or doesn't work until oxygen levels are already dangerously low (that's why it has an "asphyxiation warning" and not a "carbon monoxide warning".
Your buddy did something wrong. Its very easy to refill the small bottles safely. Actually imposible to overfil unless you purge air between fills. A scale is good to have to weigh the bottle empty and then after its filled.
Safty First... but the lawyers got involved so.yeah . Have used Mr buddys for a few years. have used small cannisters.. and REFILLED them easily . Use a filter if you hook up hose and 20 lb bottle.
Soory to hear of your friend have that exp.... you do have to relieve pressure while refilling....in a lot of vidoes.
They are junk. We had a new big buddy and a normal one with on our last hunting trip. Neither Would run off of several different tanks and hoses. Over the last few years Iv basically found they don’t work when it’s truly cold out and I really need it.
I've refilled them for years, your friend obviously didn't know what he was doing.
6:51-6:54, what is wrong with that picture?"
7 pounds of water released for every 1 pound of LP burned.
My experience with the Mr Heater Buddy is impractical. Filters were largely unavailable this last Fall and Amazon was gauging customers at over $30-$36 a filter. (3 years of filters = more cost that the heater itself.) Even with the filter I found clogging still to occur. I recommend the Flame King 20,000 BTU (larger). It puts out similar heat to over double BTU's, with a built in thermostat (auto shutoff with temp) and no costly filters needed. Just a hose with regulator and you are done. I never have problems with it not working from a 5, 20, or 30 gallon tank.
Cleaning the inner pipes from oil is just a 20 minutes work... nothing to write home about. And it costs ..... nothing.
Hi... pls help this old lady 🙏 Is your version good for inside my small apartment? Tks
@@RenoLaringoThe oils from the rubber hoses under high pressure don't clog up the Buddy's pipes but rather the ODS (Oxygen Depletion Sensors) which you simply can't clean out.
Been using the Buddy filters for nearly six years and never had a problem finding them or seeing prices over $15.
@@williamfuller2389 Oh ok! Good to know. I didn't experience this issue yet but who knows. That might happen.
So I use a 10 pound tank . No issues to date. Don’t use it inside the boat or the RV
In case you don’t wake up anymore then something went wrong make sure to use your apple app
And always use another carbon monoxide detector that is external to the mr buddy heater, just for added precaution
We use two CO detectors from different manufacturers.
We use two smoke detectors from different manufacturers.
Common sense prevails every time. Hook it up to a 20 or 30 lb. tank with the correct hose, and filter recomended by mr. heater. Hve used it for over 7 years in canopies & campers.
Grüße aus germany
Mine failed again this morning, just when I needed it . Put away a few months ago clean and operative. Stored in a clean dry place and today I pulled it out and it has tanked again. tanked. This has happened too many times. Next.
Are you using small tanks or 20 lb. tanks?
@@jshepard152 Both
@@jeffhildreth9244 And you're using filters with the 20 lbs tanks?
@@jshepard152 Admittedly .. what fliters..
And the 20 pound tank is archaic and cannot be legally filled.. is out of the picture.
I could easily get one of the more modern types, but .. see next line
I am using the smaller green bottles.
So, I guess it wont work on Mars.
I use my for 5-10 minutes before I go to sleep and 5-10 minutes when I get up. Who in there right mind tries to use these to stay warm all night? If you do, your not much of a winter camper. I winter camp around Flagstaff and Payson in the winter and never have problems, knock on wood.
answer is a desil heater
Combustion gasses from propane heaters and cooking equipment are poisonous. So, better to use them only in WIDELY ventilated areas such as big tents for heating up.
What are you talking about? ceramic propane heaters don't produce ANY CO nor any "poisonous" gasses... They just consume oxygen which in the case of the buddy is not even an issue. Look at the vid from a firefighter who tested those with professionnal sensors.
@@RenoLaringo if you can smell the gas, before and during burning, that's because of an additive with a scent. The manufacturer adds this so that you will never be surprised by a leaking system, since propane on itself has no smell but is highly explosive. The additive is poisonous. In case of too little amount of oxygen in an environment normal heaters on propane will produce CO. The Buddy won't, since it stops itself when O2 is low.
mc,
Agreed on cooking gasses.
Every gas range and oven is the equivalent of running a lawn-mower in your kitchen.
An exhaust-fan is mandatory!