Mr. Heater Big Buddy

tedrodgerscpa · 11-17-2008, 11:46 AM

As the weather is turning, many of us in the northern hemisphere are looking for a shot of warmth as we brave the outside world in search of smoking nirvana.

Ladies and gentlemen, with no affiliation or stock option purchase rights, I'd like to post a brief review of a fantastic heater, The Mr. Heater Big Buddy!

http://www.mrheater.com/

And the product under review can be found here http://www.mrheater.com/productdetai...atid=41&id=116

At 18,000 BTU and two fuel options (disposable 1# LP tanks or a larger tank with hose and adapter), this is a fantastic heater.

I picked mine up from Northern Tool on sale for $99... the adapter hoses and power adapter (which powers the blower on the unit) will cost you extra. The blower will run on 4 D cell batteries to make it completely portable.

The power adapter cost me $14.99... I passed on the $49.99 Large Tank hose and adapter.

When used with the disposable (prefilled) LP tanks, it can safely be run indoors, although I havent' tried it yet. By the time I recoup the cost of the adapter hose for a larger LP tank, I would have been through 24 disposable cans. I'll spend this winter season on the smaller tanks, which will safely keep me warm for 4-5 cigars each.

Here's a picture of it running on my screened in porch (it's on the low setting, so only one ceramic plate is lit)

I had a 'tank top' version from Mr Heater, which is a radiant style heater that I've seen several other BOTLs use. The Big Buddy is even quieter than the tank topper! While it's not silent, the fan and ceramic plates just dont' make a lot of noise.

Summary:

Pros: Can be used indoors, heats up to 400 sq ft very efficiently, portable for hunting & RVs

Cons: Price is a bit high, and accessories will cost you even more!

Judgment:

This heater gets three smiling smokies

(out of four) - The price keeps it from getting four smiling smokes!

BlackDog · 11-17-2008, 01:08 PM

Whadda talkin' about? South Carolina is warm all year around. Geez, buncha girls.

Just kidding. I use a Mr. Buddy Jr. in my ice fishing shack and it is very dependable. Takes plenty of bumps and bruises with no ill effects. Like Ted says, they're a little more expensive, but are a good product.

Stogeyfish · 11-17-2008, 04:13 PM

Nice! I've got the smaller unit and it works great!

dunng · 11-17-2008, 05:33 PM

Very nice! I've been thinking one of those would be perfect for my shed...

awsmith4 · 11-17-2008, 07:05 PM

I like the idea of a blower as opposed to only radiant heat, I will be checking further into this one. Great review Ted!

11-17-2008, 11:46 AM	#1
tedrodgerscpa Palmetto State Herf Crew! Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Ted Location: Atlanta Posts: 1,712 Trading: (87)	Mr. Heater Big Buddy As the weather is turning, many of us in the northern hemisphere are looking for a shot of warmth as we brave the outside world in search of smoking nirvana. Ladies and gentlemen, with no affiliation or stock option purchase rights, I'd like to post a brief review of a fantastic heater, The Mr. Heater Big Buddy! http://www.mrheater.com/ And the product under review can be found here http://www.mrheater.com/productdetai...atid=41&id=116 At 18,000 BTU and two fuel options (disposable 1# LP tanks or a larger tank with hose and adapter), this is a fantastic heater. I picked mine up from Northern Tool on sale for $99... the adapter hoses and power adapter (which powers the blower on the unit) will cost you extra. The blower will run on 4 D cell batteries to make it completely portable. The power adapter cost me $14.99... I passed on the $49.99 Large Tank hose and adapter. When used with the disposable (prefilled) LP tanks, it can safely be run indoors, although I havent' tried it yet. By the time I recoup the cost of the adapter hose for a larger LP tank, I would have been through 24 disposable cans. I'll spend this winter season on the smaller tanks, which will safely keep me warm for 4-5 cigars each. Here's a picture of it running on my screened in porch (it's on the low setting, so only one ceramic plate is lit) I had a 'tank top' version from Mr Heater, which is a radiant style heater that I've seen several other BOTLs use. The Big Buddy is even quieter than the tank topper! While it's not silent, the fan and ceramic plates just dont' make a lot of noise. Summary: Pros: Can be used indoors, heats up to 400 sq ft very efficiently, portable for hunting & RVs Cons: Price is a bit high, and accessories will cost you even more! Judgment: This heater gets three smiling smokies (out of four) - The price keeps it from getting four smiling smokes! __________________ Everyday I'm shufflin...

11-17-2008, 01:08 PM	#2
BlackDog Gonna make you groove... Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Warren Location: Minneapolis, MN Posts: 2,468 Trading: (19)	Re: Mr. Heater Big Buddy Whadda talkin' about? South Carolina is warm all year around. Geez, buncha girls. Just kidding. I use a Mr. Buddy Jr. in my ice fishing shack and it is very dependable. Takes plenty of bumps and bruises with no ill effects. Like Ted says, they're a little more expensive, but are a good product. __________________ "We live in the good of this."

11-17-2008, 04:13 PM	#3
Stogeyfish Barney's Life Matters Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Donald Location: Torrance Posts: 819 Trading: (2)	Re: Mr. Heater Big Buddy Nice! I've got the smaller unit and it works great! __________________ "XXXXXX is my current fav (food) but a hot dog is like steak when eaten with my brothers!" - RenoB

11-17-2008, 05:33 PM	#4
dunng MassHole Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Greg Location: MassHole Posts: 4,719 Trading: (59)	Re: Mr. Heater Big Buddy Very nice! I've been thinking one of those would be perfect for my shed... __________________ MassHole Banter

11-17-2008, 07:05 PM	#5
awsmith4 Simple Pleasures - 2oL Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Albert Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 4,602 Trading: (111)	Re: Mr. Heater Big Buddy I like the idea of a blower as opposed to only radiant heat, I will be checking further into this one. Great review Ted! __________________ Its THIS easy to support our troops