I can’t inform you what number of instances I’ve gone tenting within the winter, and find yourself bringing an entire suitcase of layers simply so I gained’t freeze my butt off. All of that further weight makes the hike to the campsite much more exhausting (as my knees can attest to).
But, is there a greater possibility?
Lately, I simply deliver a conveyable heater with me. Simple! It’s a lot simpler than bringing all these garments.
Now, as to which heater it’s best to deliver? I extremely suggest the Mr. Heater Buddy!
But the entire Mr. Heater Buddy heaters are nice for various issues:
Mr. Heater Buddy (In A Nutshell)
Type: Propane | BTUs: 9000 | Weight: 9 lbs | Heats Up To (Sq Ft): 225 | Indoor Safe: Yes | Safety Features: Low Oxygen Shutdown, Overheat Safety Shutdown, Wind Guard
The producers say that it might deal with warming an space of as much as 225 sq. ft. However, I haven’t run into any issues even when attempting to heat up a 300 square-foot room. I’m additionally a giant fan of its security options — they actually give dads like me treasured peace of thoughts.
Pros:
- 9,000 BTU
- Near 100% effectivity
- Comprehensive protection (225+ sq. ft)
- Safety options
- Foldable deal with
Cons:
- Lower thermal output in comparison with Mr. Heater Hunting Buddy and Big Buddy
- Less moveable than Mr. Heater Little Buddy
- Size, value, and energy could also be extreme for lighter purposes
Key Features and Benefits
Safety Features
One of the explanations that Mr. Heater is such a well-known model for newbie and veteran campers is that their merchandise all the time put security first. There are a number of situations by which these heaters will mechanically shut off.
For occasion, all Mr. Heater merchandise flip themselves off in the event that they’re tipped over. This could not appear to be essential know-how, however it may actually save your butt. Heaters can get knocked over and catch your tent on hearth, so maintain this function in thoughts to keep away from probably deadly conditions.
As a further security measure, the heater can even flip off if it detects low oxygen ranges. Anyone who’s not a fan of suffocating of their sleep will agree that this function dramatically advantages shoppers.
The ultimate security level is that the heater can acknowledge when the pilot gentle goes out and stop working. Without this, the propane would proceed to construct up inside your tent till you subsequent try to gentle the heater—one phrase: increase.
Portability
When you purchase a conveyable heater, it’s important to ensure it’s, you realize, moveable! You’ll be glad to know that this specific mannequin is available in at an simply manageable 9 kilos. That’s lighter than many Coleman tents.
Weight isn’t the one think about play, although. Other issues ought to be thought of when gauging the portability of an merchandise — similar to deal with high quality. The deal with on this heater is foldable. This is nice for a few causes.
First of all, it’ll make the unit an entire lot simpler to hold. Secondly, storage will probably be utterly stress-free. Once you get again out of your journey and wanna retailer the heater at residence, then all it’s a must to do is fold the deal with down to reduce the quantity of area it takes up.
Essentially, it’s all the time there while you want it however simple to tuck away while you don’t. Sure, one may argue that there are lighter fashions on the market — and that IS true — however the weight isn’t unwieldy, and the ergonomics make carrying it a breeze.
Efficiency
While heaters are sometimes touted for his or her uncooked thermal energy, effectivity is arguably simply as essential within the grand scheme of issues. This particular product from Mr. Heater is simply wanting being 100% environment friendly. If you’re sick of propane-chugging items, then this may very well be a great various for you.
Even on the most 9,000 BTU setting, the heater will solely eat lower than 0.1 gallons of propane per hour. This drops by greater than half should you use the low setting of 4,000 BTU. The effectivity ensures that you just get a prolonged runtime even at excessive warmth ranges.
You’ll additionally avoid wasting cash on gas since every tank will final you longer. Over time, the propane financial savings can offset the upfront value of the heater.
Finance apart, environment friendly heaters can lighten your loadout as effectively. Since an environment friendly unit gained’t burn up gas as quick as some thirstier options, you gained’t should deliver as many propane tanks. This leaves extra room in your pack for different gear items that you could be need to embrace in your wilderness loadout.
User Experience
The consumer expertise of this heater is effectively thought out. It’s able to go proper out of the field and customarily simple to function. There’s no painful setup course of to undergo, not like with another fashions which can be much less intuitive.
All it’s a must to do is screw a propane tank in, push the pilot down, and watch in awe as Jack Frost flees. Thanks to the 9,000 BTU functionality, it’s best to have the ability to take away your coat inside 5 minutes — or faster should you use the very best setting — of turning it on.
The security sensor that triggers when the unit ideas over can usually activate even with slight actions. You shouldn’t run into any points should you depart the heater be after turning it on, although.
In distinction to some smaller fashions, this moveable heater permits you to regulate its output. This makes it doable to preserve gas when the pure temperature rises. Hence, you might have sufficient propane in inventory for sudden dips.
Additional Buddy Heaters From Mr. Heater
Little Buddy
Type: Propane | BTUs: 3800 | Weight: 5 lbs | Heats Up To (Sq Ft): 95 | Indoor Safe: Yes | Safety Features: Low Oxygen Shutdown, Overheat Safety Shutdown, Wind Guard
The Little Buddy is each cheaper and extra moveable than its large brother. But, the tradeoff is that it offers decrease thermal output. Its max sits at solely 3,800 BTU, which is weaker than the minimal 4,000 BTU setting of most Mr. Heater merchandise.
Due to the decrease output, it additionally has a smaller protection space. 95 square-foot vary is what the producer specifies, which is respectable. But you may in all probability go a bit larger if temperatures aren’t too near sub-zero.
Mr. Heater Little Buddy:
- 3,800 BTU (single setting)
- 95 square-foot vary
- 5 lbs
Mr. Heater Buddy:
- 4,000-9,000 BTU (adjustable)
- 225 square-foot vary
- 9 lbs
Best for: Campers in hotter areas or these with smaller tents.
Mr. Heater Hunting Buddy
Type: Propane | BTUs: 12000 | Weight: 14 lbs | Heats Up To (Sq Ft): 300 | Indoor Safe: Yes | Safety Features: Low Oxygen Shutdown, Overheat Safety Shutdown, Wind Guard
The Mr. Heater Buddy unit isn’t sufficient for you? Take the subsequent mannequin on the producer’s product ladder with the Hunting Buddy. It has a 30% increased heating capability with a most output of 12,000 BTU. It additionally has a broader protection space with a manufacturer-specified 300 sq. ft.
Despite offering extra efficiency, the Hunting Buddy weighs in at an equal 9 kilos. The most important downside is that the worth is over 50% increased for a 30% energy improve. That smells like diminishing returns however with the punch this product packs, who cares?
Mr. Heater Hunting Buddy:
- 12,000 BTU (adjustable)
- 300 square-foot vary
- 14 lbs
Mr. Heater Buddy:
- 4,000-9,000 BTU (adjustable)
- 225 square-foot vary
- 9 lbs
Best for: Campers who want output one degree above the common Mr. Heater Buddy. Or hunters who need their heater to match their stand (camo).
Check Price on Sportsman’s Warehouse
BigBuddy
Type: Propane | BTUs: 18000 | Weight: 14.4 lbs | Heats Up To (Sq Ft): 450 | Indoor Safe: Yes | Safety Features: Low Oxygen Shutdown, Overheat Safety Shutdown, Wind Guard
For efficiency junkies (similar to myself) who need an absolute beast of a conveyable heater, there’s no query that the Big Buddy is on the high of the meals chain. A most thermal output of 18,000 BTU with a protection space of as much as 450 sq. ft is nothing to scoff at.
Of course, all this peak efficiency comes with a tradeoff within the portability division. This behemoth weighs virtually 17 kilos, which is near double of the Mr. Heater Buddy mannequin. When tenting within the chilliest glacial locales, the Big Buddy will maintain you good and toasty.
Mr. Heater Big Buddy:
- 18,000 BTU (adjustable)
- 450 square-foot vary
- 14.4 kilos
Mr. Heater Buddy:
- 4,000-9,000 BTU (adjustable)
- 95 square-foot vary
- 9 kilos
Best for: Those traversing the coldest tundras whereas utilizing the most important tents.
Check Price on Sportsman’s Guide
Things to Consider Before Buying a Heater
Warmth could make your tenting journeys much more pleasing and show you how to deal with the recollections you’re forging with household as a substitute of struggling to outlive. Still, bringing a tent heater with you on journeys isn’t the fitting method for everyone.
Suppose you usually camp in the summertime or solely go to hotter areas. In that case, there’s no must shell out the money for a conveyable heater. Some hikers additionally wish to journey gentle when protecting lengthy distances so, in case your route isn’t too frigid, you might not want one.
Finally, should you often camp at excessive elevation, then you definitely’ll need to discover an alternative supply of heat. That’s as a result of most moveable heaters shut off at sure altitudes.
The Heat Buddy, for example, will energy down at round 7,000 ft. above sea degree. Here in Colorado, I must regulate the place I’m tenting to see if my heater will work.
However, should you love exploring nature within the chilly, then getting a conveyable heater can improve the journey expertise. This additionally applies to campers who select websites near their automobile because the added weight gained’t be too noticeable over brief distances.
Be certain to discover a heater that’s simple to move (to keep away from straining your again) and inside your price range, so that you don’t break the financial institution. Don’t overlook to account for the burden of the propane tank you’ll must gas it. Lastly, make certain it’s highly effective sufficient to beat the icy temperatures of your chosen surroundings.
Our Verdict
As you may see, there’s no motive to lavatory your self down with a pile of parkas when industry-leading moveable heaters can be found from Mr. Heater. It’s protected, inexpensive, cell, and performs very well for its measurement.
That mentioned, if Mr. Heater’s Buddy mannequin is simply too sturdy/weak for you, simply purchase certainly one of its brothers in a better or decrease weight class. Either manner, Mr. Heater will probably be your pal for all times!