Garage Heater

[LBrown59]

LBrown59 -

Can you describe the circumstances where 3 of these units caused a "flash fire" or "explosion" for you?

If you had the first one cause a major incident "flash fire" or "explosion", why in the world would you ever employ the use of a second one? To take it further, why would you ever accept (whether via a warranty return or additional purchase) let alone light the third unit after having such bad experiences with the first two?

Did you report these incidents to the company? If so, what has the company's response been to you when you reported these incidents?

Scott

The first one I dismissed as a fluke so I replaced it.
The replacement worked excellent for several months but suddenly it went boom also.
The first 2 were the smaller Mr Buddy heaters.
So I said no more Mr Buddies for me.
I replaced that one with the Big Buddy ya know different model surely it won't have the same flaw as the regular smaller Mr Buddy heaters rite / guess again had it for about a year always worked perfect no signs of any impending problems and suddenly it went boom just like the 2 smaller ones did.
That time I was setting pretty close to it and it almost got me.
3 strikes and MR heater's out!
Here is a Toll free number to them where you can check into any recalls.
1-800-251-0001.
All they offered me was free replacement of the heaters.
I don't want/need anymore time bombs setting around so I turned their offer down.
I fired the heaters up for the last time - tossed them into the burning barrel a few minutes ago.

 

[Northstar9126]

With the "vent free" heaters I believe that you are going to see a lot of moisture condensing inside wherever you use them.

 

[cast_and_blast]

1*But still quite dangerous.
Even more so since they are used in small confined spaces *which puts you next to or rite close to the heater when it explodes.
That's what happened to me when the 3rd one exploded had I been setting another 6 to 12 inches closer to the heater I would been caught up in the explosion and flash fire both.
As it was I though I was going to at least loose the storage building.
3*Just cause you hain't seen it don't mean it ain't so.
I didn't need to see any info = I experienced it first hand not once not twice but 3 times so I'm more than convinced not to use them.

LBrown59 -

Why would you classify these heaters as "quite dangerous"? Any heater used in a confined space (like an ice shack) will be, be definition, close to the occupants. Why are the models they are selling now "quite dangerous"? Why would this manufacturer still be selling potentially defective units? In today's litigious society, how could they remain in business?

No, I don't work for Mr. Heater or have any affiliation with them.

The smaller "buddy" heaters have not had a recall on them; the recall was specific the the "big buddy" and "tough buddy" heaters which are larger than the smaller "buddy" heater.

Scott

 

[LBrown59]

I did find a notice of a recall for some of the "buddy" units manufactured from September 2004 through December 2004. Here is a link with more info including the company's website and phone number:

Mr. Heater, Inc. Recall to Repair Mr. Heater "Big Buddy/Tough Buddy" Propane Heaters

Sounds like there were 26 reports of incidents with zero injuries. They recalled 55,000 units.

My questions to LBrown59 stand -
* please expound on the circumstances that led you to experience failure on 3 of these units.

Scott

Seems pretty simple to me/3 of the 55000 were mine.

 

[LBrown59]

LBrown59 -

Why would you classify these heaters as "quite dangerous"? Any heater used in a confined space (like an ice shack) will be, be definition, close to the occupants. Why are the models they are selling now "quite dangerous"? Why would this manufacturer still be selling potentially defective units? In today's litigious society, how could they remain in business?

No, I don't work for Mr. Heater or have any affiliation with them.

The smaller "buddy" heaters have not had a recall on them; the recall was specific the the "big buddy" and "tough buddy" heaters which are larger than the smaller "buddy" heater.

Scott

I don't care what you say.
They had their 3 strikes with me .
They're out and I'm not letting them back up to bat no matter what.
Case closed.

 

[LBrown59]

With the "vent free" heaters I believe that you are going to see a lot of moisture condensing inside wherever you use them.

I'll take that over explosions and flash fires anytime !

 

[MrJimi]

If all of ya look!! I think LBrown59 had a bad day or got up on the wrong side of the bed or hasn't had any in a long time or his viagra prescription ran out or sumptin like that
or did not read the instructions very well
you deserve this one
now don't give me any poop, I didn't squeeze your head
LBrown59
now enjoy the ride
Jim

 

[claridon]

I have a 24' x 24' shop with a concrete floor. Walls are insulated and drywalled. I use a kerosene radiant heater and I'm very comfortable working in there. I don't like to use my torpedo heater because of the noise, although if I need to get it warm quickly, I will run it for a few minutes as I get set up, then I'll go with the radiant heater. I was concerned about the kerosene smell when I bought it but I've found the only time I get a kerosene smell is when I run the torpedo heater. The radiant heater burns very clean.
Here's an example of the heater:
23,000 BTU Portable Kerosene Heater, Model# CV-2230 | Kerosene | Northern Tool + Equipment

 

[cast_and_blast]

I don't care what you say.
They had their 3 strikes with me .
They're out and I'm not letting them back up to bat no matter what.
Case closed.

Well, there we have it.

In the future perhaps you could voice your opinions as such. When you post things like you have here (i.e. someone's product is bad and dangerous based on your own experience from years ago) it is misleading to others.

Good luck!

Scott

 

[cast_and_blast]

It's still baffling to me why someone would purchase another product from the same manufacturer that is ver similar in design when the first two failed catastrophically (explosion). I think I'd stop after one.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three times???

Oh well...

Scott

 

[MrJimi]

It's still baffling to me why someone would purchase another product from the same manufacturer that is ver similar in design when the first two failed catastrophically (explosion). I think I'd stop after one.

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me three times???

Oh well...

Scott

THIS explains it all
Jim

 

[George2615]

Just my 2 cents.
A 30,000 BTU heater is not going to be enough for an un-heated un-insulated 2 car garage which probably has un-insulated doors as well. I tried a 20K and an 8K kerosene heaters and with both running at opposite ends of the garage I did not notice any difference in warmth. I switched to a much larger unit.
I now use a 150,000 BTU torpedo heater that runs on kerosene. Its portable and has its own 7 gal. fuel tank on the bottom. Its like a portable home fuel furnace. My garage is insulated and has a 12'x12' insulated overhead commercial door. When I need to work in the garage in outside temps that are below freezing I go in the garage and fire up the torpedo for 15 minutes before I start. Once in the garage I crack open the garage door for a fresh air supply and can work in a T-shirt. If you don't like the torpedo type heater you'll probably need 2 of the 30K units.
Just my opinion.

 

[3RRL]

After reading this thread, which is a crack up, I have to agree with you George. I was going to add my thoughts on that but you beat me to it.

 

[amigauser]

This is what I plan on installing in the next year. One of these two.

Mr. Heater Propane Garage Heater 45,000 BTU, Model# MHU45LP | Heaters | Northern Tool + Equipment

Mr. Heater Propane Garage Heater — 75,000 BTU, Model# MHU75LP | Heaters | Northern Tool + Equipment

Norm

 

[fishpick]

I use this bugger - Bluebird Meadow Farms: Some like it HOT
It's not as loud as some of the other torpedo designs I have been around... puts out good heat and last quite a while on the fuel front.
My next heating item will likely be a wood stove - and/or one of the Northern heaters to keep things above freezing even when the stove is not stoked...

 

[LBrown59]

1*In the future perhaps you could voice your opinions as such.
2*It's still baffling to me why someone would purchase another product from the same manufacturer that is very similar in design when the first two failed catastrophically (explosion).
3*I think I'd stop after one.
************
Scott

*********
1*Happens to me 3 times so it's just my opinion but let it happen to you once and it's a fact.
2*So that some how absolves the company that sold the 3 defective heaters?
3*At least I gave them 3 chances before condemning them but you yourself would have hung them the first time and I'm the one who is being unjustly critical of the Company/DUH

 

[53gravely]

Boy, I started a good one....should I rename it?....."Safety Sally defends own profound foolishness"

To all, thanks. one side of me wants to go Natural gas cuz it's here in the house in NJ ...the other wants to go propane or kerosene salamander cuz it's portable and could be handy in the barn in VT.

Good input!

 

[claridon]

One last comment that falls into the "for what it's worth" catagory:
If you're going to spend much time at all in the garage you may want to consider installing insulation. It'll not only keep the heat in but will keep the heat out in the summer. We made the mistake of not insulating our attached garage when we built our house 4 years ago. Thought was "it's not heated so why insulate it?" The summer sun made it a real oven. I bit the bullet and tore off the drywall, insulated it and redrywalled it. A lot of extra work but now it's comfortable in there.
When I built my shop I made sure I insulated it well. Now it's cool in the summer and easily warmed in the winter. Insulation will pay for itself pretty quick.

 

[KentT]

Just my 2 cents.
A 30,000 BTU heater is not going to be enough for an un-heated un-insulated 2 car garage which probably has un-insulated doors as well. I tried a 20K and an 8K kerosene heaters and with both running at opposite ends of the garage I did not notice any difference in warmth. I switched to a much larger unit.
I now use a 150,000 BTU torpedo heater that runs on kerosene. Its portable and has its own 7 gal. fuel tank on the bottom. Its like a portable home fuel furnace. My garage is insulated and has a 12'x12' insulated overhead commercial door. When I need to work in the garage in outside temps that are below freezing I go in the garage and fire up the torpedo for 15 minutes before I start. Once in the garage I crack open the garage door for a fresh air supply and can work in a T-shirt. If you don't like the torpedo type heater you'll probably need 2 of the 30K units.
Just my opinion.

Similar to you, I use a 75,000 BTU Reddi-Heater brand torpedo, thermostat controlled, burning kerosene. I heat an uninsulated 150 year old carriage house converted to 2-stall garage in New England winters. IMO, it's the minimum size for a 2-stall in northern climates...

I don't care for the noise of the torpedo, but I like the fact that it warms a large area fast. I also move it around to have it blow on things to warm them quickly, or blow away from me while I'm working. It's simple, reliable, and flexible in how you use it.

 

[LBrown59]

own profound foolishness

I still have to ask how does that justify the company putting an unsafe product on the market?
How do you get that the more defective products one purchase the more justified the Company is in selling it to them ?
I don't buy the it's wrong to sell you one defective product but it's ok to sell me 3 of them mind set.
== L B ==
PS
I still don't get the logic behind if 3 people buy a defective product shame on the company but if one person buys 3 defective products shame on the consumer and the company is absolved of any wrong doing.
Help somebody pleas explane such line of reasoning to me.