Big Buddy Heater connected to 20lb propane tank takes forever to fire up

[MidCoast]

I connected my Big Buddy Heater to a 20lb propane tank and it takes a while before it will fire up and heat up. I know it takes some time for the gas from the propane tank to reach the Big Buddy heater, but does anybody know of a way to speed up this process?

Should I crank the Big Buddy heater on high and wait for the gas to arrive? WIll this help the gas travel faster to the Big Buddy Heater?

[leech~~]

Should I crank the Big Buddy heater on high and wait for the gas to arrive? WIll this help the gas travel faster to the Big Buddy Heater?

Not unless you want a pursuing fire ball in your house when it does!

[Pooh]

Is it the quick connect hose? If so, I use a key to push in the center of the brass end. It purges the air from the hose. Takes much less time to get the pilot to light.

[BoxMN]

Just hold down the pilot position without turning it. I t will get there. Mine is always long to light the time after hooking it up, then it starts quick after that. I use a long lighter to help and heat the thermocouple and then just keep the flame there and it flows pretty fast, and then the flame lights the pilot and you are set.

[BartmanMN]

I do the same as Box with the lighter to help heat up the thermocouple.

[ClownColor]

Just hold down the pilot position without turning it. I t will get there. Mine is always long to light the time after hooking it up, then it starts quick after that. I use a long lighter to help and heat the thermocouple and then just keep the flame there and it flows pretty fast, and then the flame lights the pilot and you are set.

Does just holding down the pilot position work? I guess I've always kept "priming" the knob to forcefully purge the gas.

[BartmanMN]

Yes, hold the knob down in the Pilot position until gas is there, then click it back and forth to light.

[BlackLabGuy]

If you turn it to Pilot, hold it down and wait 1.5 - 2 min, then 'click' the igniter a few times and it will light. Turning it to high won't do anything until it lights and you satisfy the safety of the thermocouple keeping the gas valve open. With the small amount of gas needed for the pilot it takes awhile to purge the air from the hose. This is where patience comes in and guys don't have much of that!

[wishing for walleyes]

I solved this problem by splicing in a shut off valve about 6 inches away from the tank. I shut off the valve and then shut off the tank before I unhook the hose from the tank. It leaves the line filled with propane.

[WARHMR]

Please, 

Take this into consideration, I know there is a filter inside the big buddy heater. Buy the extra filter (you can buy them at L&M/MILLS) this step will save your bacon in the long run! 

Just a FYI.

[redneckdan]

Since it takes so long I am assuming you have the regulated hose. Purge the hose. I get instant lights.

[NCLaker]

With the Big Buddy's they have a second gas feed on the other side of the unit.  I keep a 1lb on that side, and plug in my 11# w/ regulated hose on the other side.  Starts right up since the 1lb is still on, then once it warms up, I just unscrew my 1lb (so save it for later) and will continue to run fine on the 11# tank.  Adds an extra step, but works every time immediately for me.

As an alternate option, I usually test fire my heater with hose attached before I leave for the lake to ensure all is working.  By the time I get to my fishing spot, there is usually still enough LP in the gas line to help her start up right away.

[Boar]

With the Big Buddy's they have a second gas feed on the other side of the unit.  I keep a 1lb on that side, and plug in my 11# w/ regulated hose on the other side.  Starts right up since the 1lb is still on, then once it warms up, I just unscrew my 1lb (so save it for later) and will continue to run fine on the 11# tank.  Adds an extra step, but works every time immediately for me.

As an alternate option, I usually test fire my heater with hose attached before I leave for the lake to ensure all is working.  By the time I get to my fishing spot, there is usually still enough LP in the gas line to help her start up right away.

I agree, I do the same!