A buddy or a sunflower heater is your choice?

[laker1]

Preference and why? How many BTU's do you think you usually need? Which one has best control of heat? Safest?

[dougger222]

I ran the original buddy heater for several years and it worked ok although starting it got tough towards the end and it didn't make enough heat on really cold and windy days. More than likely a big buddy wouldn't have a lack of heat issue.

Since then been running the sunflowers on stands. They make more than enough heat even on the coldest days. The bonus is you can cook off it which we do on every trip. Compared to the big buddy they are quite a bit smaller.

Not sure off the top of my head the BTU ratings and for safety that may got the Buddy style heater. They are claimed to have an auto shut off.

[laker1]

Thanks good info.Must be more users with good info out there?

[mnguy152]

Well I run a big buddy and have run a sunflower. I choose the big buddy now for the fan and works fine for my house.

[Nozzlejocky]

I currently have and use a buddy style (actually a Dynaglo, but basically same thing) and have been happy with it for the 5+ years I've had it. I looked at both styles with mixed preference and ended up buying the buddy style simply because if found it with a great price including a carry bag. I could have swung the other way as easily I guess. As far as features I like, mine has the aforementioned bag which is nice for storage and the top carry handle for maneuvering on the ice a bit easier than the sunflowers. To me it's a Ford/Chevy debate.

[NoWiser]

Have had both. Threw buddy heater away and use Mr. Heater Cooker now. Much better in my opinion.

[servocam]

I use the Big Buddy - chose it over safety as I have kids going with based on what many told me. Friends of mine both use the Mr Cooker and said avoid the tank-top. No issues so far w/ the BigBuddy heating my 6x12 hub. I purchased the hose for the 20#.

[PlagueWielder]

1. A sunflower is not a heater/cooker. They are 2 different things.

2. Sunflowers are only good for burning your shack/gear/kids and getting CO poisoning.

3. A sunflower on a 20# tank weighs about as much as car.

No thanks.

P.s. I'm back.

[ANYFISH2]

I have used both. The sunflower heaters throw far more heat, but are also far more dangerous. A buddy and myself have becomes very sick before after using a sunflower one cold day on Red Lake, luckily it was bitterly cold and I had a tip-up outside. It forced me to go out side every 15 min or so to retreive a flag or break ice out of the hole. I only came away from the night with sleepiness and a bad headach. My buddy ended up in the hospital the next day and missed 2 days of work, scary stuff for sure.

Since, I bought a Buddy heater and haven't had any of those issues. The buddy is good in my hub in temps to about 5-10 degrees after that it really isn't enough to keep holes from freezing up. Another heat source is then needed IMO.

Both have their place, just pay close attention to ventalation and get outside from time to time to get fresh air with both just to assure you don't get sick(same goes for the use of a propane lantern they are pobably worse yet for CO).

[laker1]

ANYFISH what BTU is your buddy rated for? Excellent comments.

[Lost Cause]

I've had only cooker heaters and sunflowers in the past and the only time I've run into Poisoning problems was when they started getting old after a few years of getting beat up and dinged. still would never trade them in for having to haul around 1pounders. Common sense and educating your children keep them plenty safe.

[wyonative]

i have had a buddy heater for 4 years and called the company after having lighting and heating issues with it. I was told that if you take a Qtip soaked in rubbing alchol and force it almost two inches down the pilot light tube and swab it out it will help with both issues. I did this which took almost 10 times to finally get it clean , but works better than new now.

[Capt. H (Ret.)]

I have always used sunflower heaters but you have to be very careful with them. You have to have ventilation when using one of these. I think the Buddy style heaters are way overrated and I wouldn't spend the money. Year after year I read this forum and there is nothing but questions about the problems people have with the buddy heaters. I have a buddy in the wheel house (I didn't buy it!!) and it is a pain in the A**. I really like the Paulin sunflowers because of the ignition button but I can't seem to find them. No hair on my knuckles from lighting the Mr. Heater sunflowers!!!!

Mike

[snapjigger]

Currently own both. Have a Yukon from Clam. I put the reflectix in so the buddy is all I need on 90% of my trips. Use l# tanks till I can drive out then throw a 20#er in. Only use the cooker on the coldest days. I would say 0 or below, I will break out the cooker and run it on low or med.

[Esox_Magnum]

Been running the same heater/cooker for over 25 years and still going strong, I use a camp fan overhead and have midified the header for better heat adjustment. Use a big buddy for awhile but hate being stuck to 3 pre set settings, none ever seen to be just right for my shack....With the heater/cooker always keep the door unzipped a little and open a vent....

[ANYFISH2]

Laker I am not sure what the BTU's are. It is the original little buddy I think it is like 6-7,000 btu's on high.

I used a sunflower/cooker for many years without issue and still own one, but after ONE near miss, wearing warmer clothes inside the house is much easier than looking at very sick friend.

[Down Deep]

I've used a heater/cooker for years. A few years ago I briefly tried a Big Buddy , but it didn't throw the heat I needed and I had ignition problems. I've never had fume problems, but I have only used it in a portable. I've never burned anything either, but I'm very careful with it. It is nice to have the cooker to make a hot lunch or brew fresh coffee.

[Brad B]

I run a regular buddy in my one man house and I go to the big buddy with my large three man house. the regular buddy has only two settings. low is 4000btu and high is 9000btu. the big buddy has three settings. 4000 btu on low, 9000btu on medium, & 18000btu on high. I have never been cold when using either one of them. in fact when I use my 4 X 8 Northlander Norpac house I can get by with only running the pilot light on the regular buddy once the house has warmed up. to warm it up I run the buddy on low and that is enough to do the job.

[otterman91105]

I have used both. That mr heater kicks out a lot of heat, but not always safe. With the buddy heater it has auto shutoff for unsafe air.

[MNice]

Had a buddy for 4-5 years and started having the trouble others have talked about in the past. Got a heater/cooker for Christmas a few years ago and love it. I usually fish with the door open on my otter to see whats going on around me, so the CO issue is not a concern. Mine has 3 settings, I don't know the BTU off the top of my head, but it rarely goes to anything but the lowest. I guess I'm just a warm guy

[laker1]

Is there any other propane stoves out there? Seems like something better than the sunflower or buddy should exist?

[Down Deep]

Sunflowers were originally designed as an outside heat source to be used by mechanics when they would get stuck on an outside job. Us ice fisherman adopted it and Mr. Heater profitted in a big way.

I've got an idea for you inventors out there. I have always thought there needs to be a metal box for the heater cooker to rest in. Much the same design as the box for a Coleman stove. The heater/cooker could be placed flat for cooking and hinged to prop up when a more direct heat source is needed. Having a steel box with a lit would enable tranport with out the risk of damage to the unit.

[MNPIKE]

I have used a big buddy heater for the past 7 years. You can't toss it around (yes it does have plastic tabs), but with kids i would not have anything else in my 3 man.

[TruthWalleyes]

I've had a Mr. Heater for 3 yrs now, used when i got it. Works great yet today. I've also got a sunflower heater which i purchased last year after returning my Big Buddy. Big Buddy wasn't worth the $$ IMO.

I'm happy with either heater fished out of a QF3. Sunflower is nice because i can turn it so the heater is horizontal and cook some food. Not a big fan of the WAAAAAAAAAAAAAA during start-up though.