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