BTU recomendation for ice house

[SCCO9803]

How many BTU is sufficient to heat a portable ice house. I was thinking 3000BTU is that sufficient?

[CRAPPIEBAIT]

3000 should be good enough.Really depends on how cold it is outside,how big the portable is,how heavy the shell is.I use "FOCUS 5" heaters in my traps (3000-5000 BTU),and I have had it on high and have got cold (just need to move around more).In my "YUKON" thou,I have to have atleast 2 going at a time.But,there again it depends on outside temps.

[Surface Tension]

What size is your portable?

On cold windy days 12000 btu is hardly enough to keep my Otter Lodge comfortable. On a 30 degree day 4000 is plenty. Problem you can't find a unit that can will cover both extremes. So I use two Buddy Heaters. Hopefully the Big Buddy recall addressed its problems from last winter.

[riverrat56]

When its cold out, (below zero) 2 buddy heaters on high wouldn't keep my portable ( Mankato tent and awning 7 by 4) house anywhere near warm, switched to a big buddy, thta was worse, went to a Mr Heater/cooker, thats the only way to go if you ask me, keeps you toasty in there, and is good for making hamburger helper over. mmmhmmm good stuff.

Note: in my permanent house 7 by 10, the 2 buddys or the big buddy kept it warm enough as long as the door stayed closed for awhile, so im guessing they just don't replace heat fast enough to keep it warm in a canvas house.

[Jeremy airjer W]

In my 2 person clam 9,000 btu's kept it comfortable, on the cold days 14,000 btu kept it comfy. In the Magnum lodge it takes a min of 18,000 btu. Sometimes that isn't enough when its really cold.

Mr. heater cooker or single tank top 8k, 12k, 14k

Buddy Heater 4k, 9k

Big Buddy 4k, 9k, 18k

Just sent in the Big Buddy today. Should have a brand new one in 2-3 weeks. I never had any problems with it. Its to bad so many did. I can't imagine fishing without it!

[Gus]

Airjer- thanks for that reminder. I have to send in my big buddy yet too. I also never had a problem with mine last year. I better do it soon.

[BIG DS]

Get something in the 15000 to 18000 range. If you have something the size of a Otter Lodge, Clam Voyager, Clam Yukon, Frabill Triplex, Frabill Ranger XLT, or something of that size, you will not be sorry. Keep in mind if you opt for the Big Buddy that it is only 14000 btu on the 1lb cylinders and 18000 with a 20lb cylinder. Mr Heater and Paulin both make some nice tank-top heaters that should fit your needs nicely for a reasonable price. The Mr. Heater "sunflower" heaters tend to whistle when they are cold. The Paulin ones are a lot quieter. Good luck.

[Walterwontfalter]

I just use a MR. Heater on a 20 lb cylinder in my Voyager. Some don't like the weight but I don't mind it compared to haveing to get a smaller one filled frequently. A 20 lb'r will last me most of the winter, and I fish a lot. I don't know how many BTU's it kicks out but on low it's warm enough that it's almost uncomfortably warm most days. If it's really cold out it's just right and I've only had once where it wasn't warm enough but then again, that day was about 25 below and the wind was really whipping. I was more stupid for fishing on a day like that from a portable but, how else would I learn? I would much rather have more heat than I need than not have enough. If my portable get's too warm I just zip open the door a little or shut the heater off for a while. It all depends on the way you fish. I don't mind lugging the 20 around or the space it takes up but some do. The little pancake cylinders are pretty sweet but you need to fill them up often.

Now that said, In my permanent house I had a 15,000 BTU and it was ok but it ran hard all the time on cold trips. I put a 20,000 BTU in and then it heated the house up quicker and kept it at a constant temp easier it seemed. Hope that helps.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Quote:

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Keep in mind if you opt for the Big Buddy that it is only 14000 btu on the 1lb cylinders and 18000 with a 20lb cylinder.

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WHAT?

[BIG DS]

Something to do with the pressure and volume difference between the bigger cylinders and the 1 pounders. If you hook up the 1lb cylinders and run the heater in a dark area and then switch to the 20lb cylinder, you can actually see the difference.

[Gus]

My big buddy can smoke me out of my portable on either the 1lb or the 20lb tank on High setting. I don't seem to notice a difference. O well.

[iffwalleyes]

More is usually better if you get too hot you can shut if off. If you get too cold it really isn't fun anymore. I got my big buddy back and haven't used it since. I had a lemon for sure hopefully it is better now. Otherwise it will be in the for sale forum along about the first weekend in Dec. Like the options on it i just need them (options) to work.

[BIG DS]

14000 is usually more than enough, but on those below zero days (when those of us are crazy enough are fishing) that extra 4000 btu's is sure nice.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Big DS, Ive looked up and down the owners manual and I can't find anything about less BTU's using the one pounders. Where did you get this info from.

I wouldn't use one pounders on high anyways, they get used up too fast 3 hours max.

[get-the-net]

Big DS I'm with you. On those really cold days last winter I kept my big buddy on high for most of the day and I still got a little ice on the inside from condensation. Airjer, I do notice a difference when I switch from 1lb tanks to the 20lb tank. Mainly it's length of burn time, but my big buddy seemed to blow out a lot more often with the little tanks. You know how those little tanks seem to ice up in really cold environments? Could that be why they don't work as well as a bulk tank? Personally I only use the 10 or 20lb tanks now.

[Surface Tension]

Considering the problems the Big Buddy had last winter, its not surprising that some guys noticed a difference between the 1 lb and 20 lb tanks.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I just Got my Big buddy back today. My hats off to Mr. heater for the quick turnaround (about 3 weeks all together).

When using the heater indoors they recommend only using the 1 lb. tanks and I think they would work alot better in these conditions and probably would be less likely to freeze up.

I've only used it with the 20 and 11 lb tanks myself but I always have a couple of 1lb'ers just incase. I learned that lesson running out of propane with the smaller buddy heater. Its just not cost effective or convienient to use the 1lb cylinders for everyday use.

I also never leave home without an 8 pack of D batteries. On the really cold days the built in fan really helps.