The Jeep Expeditions Group™ - Exploration, Education, Conservation & Preservation.......... Live The Adventure

The Most Popular Portable Propane Heater in North America. This patented radiant 4,000-18,000 BTU Liquid Propane heater connects directly to two 1 lb. cylinders and is the perfect solution for heating enclosed spaces like cabins up to 400 sq. ft. An integrated fan increases the heating capacity of this unit, blending radiant and convection style heat to give you the best of both worlds. Two swivel regulators give you the ability to adapt usage from disposable cylinders to a remote gas supply with the purchase of a single hose and filter. To light the unit, simply push and rotate the knob. The built in Piezo sparking mechanism will take care of the rest. With the Oxygen Depletion Sensor (ODS) and accidental tip-over safety shut-off, you can be sure that you will enjoy years of comfortable indoor safe heat.

4,000 - 9,000 - 18,000 BTU per hour - Low, Medium, High heat settings
Heats up to 400 sq. ft.
For use with propane gas - Runs off two 1 lb. cylinders
Connects directly to a 20 lb. cylinder with optional hose and filter
Includes Piezo igniter - Swivel regulators
Single control start knob
Fan operates on 4 - D batteries or AC adapter, both sold separately
Accidental tip-over safety shut-off
Automatic low oxygen shut-off system (ODS)

Here Is What WE Say About It:

Decisions, decisions. There are so many different tent heaters out there from big to small, propane and butane. There are more of the smaller varieties and the majority of them are propane. So, what do you do? Does size really matter and is bigger better?

I just happened to have 6 popular models of tent heaters in my camp supply and having used them all, I'll let you know which one or ones are my favorites

Now Mr Heater claims their heater line are the most popular heaters sold in America. That could be, I know a few people that have them including me. This is the 5th tent heater that I've purchased. Why, because I found short comings with the first three. The Big Buddy heater takes up probably 50% more room in your Jeep and tent than the Buddy Heater already reviewed and lots more room than the two small heaters also reviewed. but to me it seemed that it might be a better choice. The two smaller ones (Little Buddy & a Coleman heater) were easy to knock over and although they both claimed to have safety features in the event they tipped over, I wasn't willing to bet my life on them. The medium sized Buddy Heater let me down in the high altitude of of the Grand Canyon. I was ready to move up to the biggest model they had based on lots of user reviews I read online.

I bought my Big Buddy heater on sale at Cabella's for around $99. Not a bad price to keep warm and about $60 less than its suggested price. At the same time I bought its protective carry case a very nice and recommended option. In addition I also bought the optional hose to connect it to a standard propane cylinder and a 5lb refillable tank to connect to the heater via the hose. The next thing is when was I going to try it out?

We just happened to have a trip planned on the Devil's Highway in February. Even though we are in Arizona, it gets cold up at night in the desert and it would be the perfect chance to see how it would work.

I set up my Coleman 6 man Instant Tent, put my cot and some other gear inside and set up my new Big Buddy Heater per the instructions using two 1lb cylinders (yep this model holds two 1lb cylinders for a longer run time) and prepared my dinner. By the time everyone gathered around the campfire there was a definite chill in the air so I started the heater up and turned it on the low setting. My hopes that by bed time my tent would be toasty warm.

Well my tent was toasty warm after the campfire and I hopped onto my cot and called it a night, until about 6 hours later when I woke up freezing. Did I run out of propane already? Yes I did. Not the same problem I had with my Buddy Heater at the Grand Canyon so I was relieved to find that out. This time I connected the hose and my 5lb tank to the unit, started it back up again and went back to bed. The next thing I remember is it's day break and I smell someone cooking bacon. I was toasty warm and I really just wanted to stay in bed a bid longer!

So am I happy with the Big Buddy Heater? You bet I am! It lived up to all the reviews I read and met all of my expections. The built in fan helps move the warm air around your tent is is a very nice feature. Still it won't run all night with two 1lb propane bottles attached to it but it is close. Going forward I will probably just use my refillable 5lb tank as it is cheaper to operate and it will last most likely two nights. It was the most comfortable night I've spent in a tent on a cold night!

I'll admit, my testing is NOT scientific but it was real world. You don't need a lab to see how and if things will work for you, if they work when you are camping when they should work and work right then that's really all you need to know. The Big Buddy heater worked well for me with a 1lb cylinder at high altitude (6000ft+) on the low setting but then again it didn't on the high setting at low altitude. A 6 hour run time is close to being enough on 2 cylinders so unless you want to get out of your warm cot after 6 hours on a cold night to screw a new cylinder or two on, get your self a 5lb tank. This heater will warm your tent in 30 degree weather NO problem!

Let me just give you a bit of advice. If you buy the Big Buddy heater, make sure you purchase the optional hose that adapts it to a regular propane tank. Then buy a 4.5 to 5 lb propane tank to use with it. Also, don't forget to buy the Buddy carry case to protect it and have a place to store your hose in. I have no problem recommending this for part of your camp gear as my FAVORITE tent heater that I've used! Just keep in mind that it is big and heavy so check out the Buddy Heater and the Big Buddy Heater side by side at your favorite outdoor retail outlet. Also don't pay full price, watch for sales and lower prices. It's the only way to buy camp gear unless you need it today.

Bottom line if you have the room to carry this heater and a 6 man or larger tent, it is my FIRST choice for a tent heater. It's reliable, works every bit as advertised and expected and with a remote tank of propane, it will last all weekend on a single 5 lb. tank. You won't wake up cold with this one !

Check back monthly as we add new reviews as they are completed.

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Products that we feel are useful to off-road travel whether it be Jeep related or camping related will not only be posted on our website but we will submit them to one of several magazines for more possible exposure.

Email info@jeepexpeditions.org with detailed information about your product and your interest in working with our organization.

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*The opinions expressed in this product review are the opinions of the writer and are based on the writers tastes and preferences. The writer may have and in most cases invited other people to participate in this review. Despite the review (favorable/unfavorable) you are encouraged to try out any product that you might be interested in.

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