LP Heater

[bigstick509]

It is about that time of year to start throwing a little heat into the shop(garage). In the past I have used the small pan type heater on top of a #20 propane tank,and have not been happy with the results.

I plan on going with this forced air unit and want to know if anyone has any experience with them.

[monte]

The problem I have with this type of heater is that the exaust gases stay in the shop with you.

[twistsol]

I have one of those and they work really well, but they are loud. It will heat my 28 x 28 garage from th emid 30's to 65 degrees in about half an hour. I then shut it off. Mine is an All Pro 35,000 BTU unit from Menards.

I have set the leg of my jeans ablaze with it so be sure it is pointing away from anything combustible. Install a carbon monoxide detector in your shop as well.
It does raise the humidity in your shop.

[scoly]

I use a similar but much larger unit. My biggest gripe is no thermostat. Have to continuously turn it on and off. If the garage was insulated I'd probably not have such a problem. They really do bring the temp up fast. Do have to watch what it is aimed at and really need to keep a door cracked for fresh air.
I've been looking for an alternative and may go with this in the future: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...27&R=200307927
Steve

[don_hart]

I have looked at these unit as a possible replacement for the kerosene torpedo unit I have. The biggest problem I have is the cost to run a LP as opposed to a kerosene unit. Comparing the cost of the feul LP is about 3 times as exspensive to run. So I cant really justify replacing the unit I have. If I was starting from scratch I give considerable thought to LP it may be more exspnsive to run but feuling it is much easier and they are a little cleaner.

As for a thermostat, I have one on my torpedo heater. It is a generic unit like THIS ONE but northern tool sells THIS ONE even cheaper and either will work on any of these kinds of heaters.

[scoly]

Thanks Don. Didn't know such a thing was available.
Steve

[bigstick509]

Thanks everyone for your input,now the only question is do I buy now or wait till it gets to be closer to XMAS and hope for a sale or % off coupon. I will probably buy from one of the BORGS.

[don_hart]

If you are just waiting for a % off coupon then just go to the borgs site and sign up for a moving coupon.

[Tom Slick]

don't forget they also use up the oxygen in the shop also.

[Bulkley]

I am always nervous about using anything with flames in a woodworking shop. Make sure your dust collection is top notch.

[gimpy]

bigstick, what did you decide? Did you go with the LP Torpedo? I have to find a heater myself and have been researching these types along with a couple of others

Don, you mentioned the cost of the LP in comparison with the kerosene as being about 3 times the cost. Just the other day, Home Depot had kerosene for over $7.00 per gallon at the store here in Flag. That price turned me off from looking at the kerosene torpedo and started me looking at other alternatives (along with talk of smell/fumes from the kerosene). Is this high cost just locally or is this a different (do they make different) blend of kerosene or what (do you use diesel?)? Where do you get your kerosene?

Before seeing this $7.00+ per gallon, I had just about talked myself into getting about a 40,000 btu unit. Help!

thx, Frank

[SteveR]

quote:Originally posted by gimpy

Before seeing this $7.00+ per gallon

Ouch...that is pretty pricey. I can get it in 5 gallons pails at HD or Lowes. HD is cheaper (about 23/pail; lowes was almost $30/pail but will price match).
I currently run a kero. convection style (one of those round ones). I get tired of the fumes....but for some folks it does not seem to bother them.

Scroll down on this area (about 16 down) and look for a post labeled "garage heat" by Skip C....I have a post in there (about 14 down) inquiring about an LP heater by reddy heat I saw at lowes. Have not had time to research it any more than that.
Steve

[bigstick509]

With all the XMAS shopping and getting ready for a week of vacation in Florida I have not had the time to purchase. I'm still leaning toward the forced hot air LP heater.

[John Hunter]

I recently picked up a 80,000 - 200,000 BTU Coleman propane heater with a 100 pound tank and have been totally happy with it. Takes about 5 minutes to bring the shop up to a nice working temp then I crank it down to the low end setting

[maxparot]

I just got that IR HF Propane heat for on top of the tank. Not too bad of my uses. I was using 2 electric space heater to warm my shop in it still took forever. The propane heater seems to be faster on it's own. Using the electric heaters also takes minutes and once I've gotten the temperature up I switch to 1 of the electric heaters shutting down the propane and the other electric.
A side benefit is the propane heater is nice out on the patio.