Best Heater for Portable?

[Guest]

The age old question. How are the Buddy heaters? They want about a C note where I saw them. Going to get a Large Otter, maybe Resort. Is 9,000 btu's enough? Too much? Any imput? Thanks. Was fishing on ice in Brainerd last weekend 3+ inches!

[Tim L]

I got a Viking 5'-6' portable bought a Paulin heater 10-12-15 btu's about 12 or so years ago works great fished in min 20 below weather kept it comforable on high fished 20 degree weather on low -med kept the holes from freezing never used a buddy heater 9,ooo Btu's just don't seem enough just my 2cents worth good fishin Tim

[Guest]

I have fished with the buddy heater in my otter cabin in -20, and it was enough for me, then again, I can fish in -20 without a heater. So, it all depends on what you want, to sit in shirtsleeves in -20 in a portable, will require alot of BTU's and likewise fuel. If you want a some heat, while wearing some insulated clothing, the buddy will do just fine.

[vern]

I believe Fleet Farm & Gander Mountain have the Mr. Buddy priced at $80 this week. I'm going to try one. It should work great for a smaller house like my Fish Trap Pro.

[Guest]

The buddy heater does not produce enough heat in my portable house when it is 15 degrees above or colder. I have to use the old Mr. Heater for the portable at all times.
The Mr. Heater is too much heat for my small permenant house. Now I need to Buddy Heater for that house so I don't bake to death.....my wife is really getting frustrated with all my "needs"!

[pikehunter]

I use the Mr. Heater for my 5x7 portable and couldn't ask for more. I've never gotten cold in it and I generally keep it warm enough to take off the coveralls. (I like to fish in comfort.)
Because my house retains heat so well (especially when it's sunny), I do have a problem sometimes with it getting too hot. But, the heater shuts off with the same knob that turns it on. I'd rather have to worry about getting too warm versus not being able to get it warm enough.

Happy Fishin ... not long now!

[Guest]

I fish out of a trap2 and I never take my Mr. heater off of low. It's probably too much heater for the house and it really uses up the oxygen fast. If I did it over again, I'd give the buddy heater a look. I believe it has a pilot light and a carbon detector. It all sounds good, but I can remember a lot of people complaining about them last year.

[Guest]

I stopped in at Joe's in St Paul to check out the Buddy heater. It seems a little tippy to me when compared to the Paulin unit. The Paulin pup unit had a tube frame that made it slide rather than tip over when I gave it the bump test.

[Northlander]

They are ok in my 1 man fishtrap but not enough heat in my Frabill speedshack xl. When its 0 and windy on Red lake you will be glad you had the extra B.T.U.

[Dakota Iceman]

Have you guys used the coleman powercat? I have found that this lightweight unit works great in my fishtrap guide, no fumes/plenty of heat and the new style w/fan that i have really works well in a two man portable. The big advantage is the weight, not carrying a propane tank is a huge plus! Thats my two pennies worth anyways.

[REEFRAKER]

On a cold day the buddy heater is'nt enough in my 5x7 portable

[Flashman]

used a buddy heater in a small portable last year up on Upper Red Lake, was about 10 degrees with a little wind....it was not enough heater to fish with the gloves off.

[Flashman]

used a buddy heater in a small portable last year up on Upper Red Lake, was about 10 degrees with a little wind....it was not enough heater to fish with the gloves off.

[Captain B.R.K]

Heaters you ask?
I have used the Mr. Heater cooker grill for the last 4 years and I believe that works excellent. It keeps it plenty toasty in my houses (I have a fishtrap pro and a otter med cabin). I tend to like that heater because of the way the heat radiates out on the ice and keeps my hole from freezing up. I have a 10 # tank and a hose running from that to my heater when I go on long trips. When the weather is nice, I like the Mr. Buddy Heater. I can sit that in the back of my trap and the heat radiates up on my back/neck and keeps me plenty warm.
AGAIN....like it has mentioned before, depends how light and comfortable you want to be. For me, pulling the extra weight of a tank is fine and I like to be comfortable (fish with my gloves and hat off in my trap/house). When it is cold out, I don't particular use the buddy because the heat doesn't radiate out and the holes in my house tend to freeze faster.
Good luck with your decisions!

[Guest]

I've used a Mr. Heater for the past five years and I don't have any complaints. I only use the lowest setting and it still keeps my Fish Trap II warm. Easy to start too.

Good Fishin, Matt.

[kwkfsh]

One thing to remember is that propane has 22,000 BTUs per pound, so that buddy heater will use a cylinder up in 2.5 hrs. on high. Any time you can use a bulk propane cylinder you will cut your costs by about 80%. By saving almost $1.00 an hour it won't take long to pay for a heater that runs off a bulk tank.

[KJSnider]

I've used the Buddy Heater for 2 winters now, and like it very much in the fish trap guide. I also have the bulk tank adapter with a 11 pound squatty tank. Works great.

KJ

[Fishn'Lady]

We have used the Mr. Heater/Cooker for years. We have the Otter lodge and now a new 8x8 portable with the new thinsulate insulated canvas. In the Otter once heated up you can run it on low and be comfortable. In our new 8x8, we went to URL Feb.-March this year and the overnight temps were -25 F. and all we needed was the heater on low and a Coleman lantern burning to keep it 70 F. inside. Even though we had a window vent partially open and the door unzipped a bit on top, over a long period of time it (of course) used up the oxygen inside. We noticed whenever we went out, after being inside for a while, once the door was open and great amount of fresh air was let in the lantern would burn a lot brighter. Since we were going to stay out there for several days overnight we had purchased a CO2 meter and it never went off and never displayed any amount of CO2 ever, it was obvious that it was using up the oxygen. Anyone have and suggestions on a heater or should we somehow vent the house better?

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Hey! Your bobbers gone!

Fishn'Lady

[CNY Tim]

I carry two heaters for my fishtrap depending on how cold it is. I like the Coleman Focus III when it's above 10 degrees and a small square coleman stove burner when it's below 10 degrees. The focus 3 is nice.,lightweight handle and a wide base, the only thing wrong with it is if you tip it on it's side or don't carry it in the upright position it will flare up. The don't make the focusII anymore so if you can find one at a sale, excellent investment for your fish trap. The stove I like because it's easy to light has more BTU and doubles as a cooking burner I snuff it out each time I go to a new hole. I don't like to use a heater at all if I can get away from it but it's nice when you set-up at night for crappies. Make sure you have good ventilation

[Guest]

Whats the differance between a Mr. Heater, a buddy heater, and a Mr Buddy heater? I've seen all 3 described. Which one will work in a 1 man Trap?

[rascalP]

I've had my fishtrap 1-man for 6-7 years and a coleman lantern has always done the trick. Also it provides light as well as heat so less to carry around. When it gets really cold(below 0) I bring along a small sunflower heater that attaches to a 5# tank, but I hav'nt needed that in a long time. I've been checking out the buddy's cause they're approved for indoors--could double as a tent heater or pickup topper.

For a bigger Otter, I'ld try 2 lanterns,( you can never have too many lanterns) especially at night when you need the light anyway and white gas is real cheap. If it's still not warm enough, add the buddy to bump it up a bit