Best Heater for in the Portable?

[Agronomist_at_IA]

I've got a Fish Trap Voyager, and am looking for a good heater setup. I've had a Big Buddy Heater, and was most definately not impressed with it.(Slight Breeze blew out the lighter. Was hard to light, didn't seem to put out much heat,tanks and hoses were a pain to take on and off of Buddy heater,even stripped the threads once.) Used a Single sunflower heater, and that seemed to work about the best keeping the shack the warmest. However, during some of the cold days and nights, even the single sunflower heater didn't seem to keep up. I was thinking about getting a double sunflower top heater. My other though process was to pick up a mister heater cooker/heater, was figuring this would come in handy. Figured I could use this on the warmer days & on really cold times could use it with the Sunflower. Also with the heater being on the ground it would also help keep a persons feet warmer in the Fish trap.

SO.....what is every one using to heat there portable?

[idratherbefishing]

Hot 100.

[52#FLATHEAD]

I also have a Voyager & use a single sunflower. A double would be better for the days that are below zero. I started out w/ the cooker/heater. Worked great but was tired of the hose & melted puddle under it. Now I just use it to boil deer & fish skulls.

[Wanderer]

This how I roll in my Voyager.

Most of the time my heater/cooker is on low. On the cold days I've gone to medium and can't really remember too many times - if ever - that I've needed the high setting. Maybe on that outing when it was 26 below zero.

The floor keeps the melting problem a little less than a problem.

[Ed Carlson]

The redesigned Buddy Heater is on my list for this season. I have a new Model #7080 Frabill R2-Tec insulated shelter on the way, and the Buddy heater is all I'll ever need to heat it.

The new compact design of the Buddy Heater with the larger/taller ceramic and the new folding handle will stow easily and the new swing away regulator will make a 1 lb bottle changing and a quick connect adapter far more easy to use.

[Gadgetman]

I have a voyager and have been out many times below zero with no problem. I use the single sunflower. I also put a space blanket on the ceiling to keep the heat in, Helps a lot and is very easy to do and costs almost nothing. It also helps reflect light so it is brighter in the house as well. Pretty much everybody that I fish with has put space blankets on their ceilings since being in my house. You could go the full 9 yards and put the insulation in, but it costs more and is more work

[KG243]

My big buddy has kept my frabil warm on -38 degree day! All I had on in the house was long sleeve t-shirt and jeans with boots. Never han any issues, the one thing that I have found is that I keep the heater and the hose in the cab of the truck until I am ready to hook it up. Works great! I would'nt mind having a cooker for making soup or hot choclate!

[Ed Carlson]

A little know fact is you can buy the Mr.Heater quick couplers to convert a Heater Cooker to a quick hook-up rig.

That way...if you have a Big Buggy with a quick coupler hose....and a Mr. Heater cooker...simply swap it out if your in the mood to cook.

Not many retailers have the kit's in stock but you can order them on-line from Mr.Heater.

[KG243]

Thats good to know thanks Ed I have always wanted to get the quick cuplers any ways!

[jigging-matt]

I have a Voyeageur also and use the Single Sunflower. Have no problems keeping it warm. How old is your sunflower? sometimes they start to get clogged up and don't warm as well. I have also put the reflectix on the ceiling and that does wonders also.

[bigred1974]

never had a problem with my big buddy. I have an otter lodge and it works great. t shirts on low in -10 weather. I had the heater cooker and had a big flare up with it. never turned it on again

[EBass]

Big Buddy for me. I do roll with a 20# tank though and I hate being cold. So far going on 4 seasons with it and no problems. (knock on wood)

[charliepete]

Big buddy here....never a problem. Love mine.

[walleyvoyager]

I've got the big buddy for my fish trap thermel. I did crack one of the plates last winter, but is still works great even with the crack. Keeps my shack toasty.

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Well, don't know maybe I had a crappy Big Buddy Heater. I do know I will never buy another one again. Even though my sunflower was rated under the Big Buddy for heat, it gave off way more heat then the Big Buddy. 99% of the time the Sunflower kept things just fine, but on a few really cold nights and days I needed both going to keep things nice and toasty.

[NCLaker]

Maybe you already have these items covered, but just in case:

- bank snow over the tent skirt to make sure drafts don't blow under it.

- DEFINITELY invest in some Reflectix for the ceiling. Makes a HUGE difference for keeping heat in and reducing condensation. I think it will only cost you ~$30, and asome duct tape. Sandwitch it between the cieling poles and the tent. Shouldn't interfere with folding the tent down while it is still installed.

[bigred1974]

doesnt interfere at all with the folding

[CatchPhotoFilet]

mr heater cooker works well. i will have to look into Reflectix

[Agronomist_at_IA]

I think I'll get a Mr. Heater Cooker & put up some of the Reflectix stuff.

[KG243]

Did you use a inline filter for your buddy? I buy a new one every year just to be safe!

[7outof10]

i had a big buddy and the seceond time out it bork but took it back and got a new one and worked really really good ever since then i got an x2 and it heats that with no prob

[bak2MN]

I have a x2 and have the single mr heater and i get cold. what is this reflectix stuff and how do you install it? I am thinking of getting the double mr heater.

[picksbigwagon]

I use a buddy heater, not the big buddy, and insulate with reflectix in the ceiling.

I run my heater off a 5# propane tank out the back trap link. I set my heater on a piece of plywood that I quick clamp to the bottom of the bar in my voyager that the seats set on. I set that heater between the seats and have never been cold in it. My buddy is pretty cold blooded but with the heater sitting between us, you don't get cold.

If your feet are cold, put down a chunk of rubber floor mats. they get your feet off the ice and help.

I do pack the single sunflower on trips to Mille lacs, just because you never know

[7outof10]

i got a long pice of floor mat ment to go over the hole back seet of a truck works really good helps keep your feet warm