Mr. Buddy/Big Buddy Heaters?

[Everclear]

I want to get a non-Co heater for my Eskimo Quick Flip III.

I like the safety features of the Buddy heaters but I remember last season there was some kind of recall on these. Does anyone remember what the problem was and if they were able to fix it? Who has one and do you like it?

Are there any larger non-Co heaters on the market? I have a Coleman Powercat that works great but the 4,000BTU's just aren't enough when it gets cold and windy out there.

[tomfromblaine]

They had some issues with the gas valve, I talked to some people and they had a flame shoot out the side, I had one (Big Buddy)that did the same thing but not till later in the season.I really liked the way it heated my clam 6x8 on those cold days. I just exchanged it yesterday for a new one.

[SCHAAKATTACK]

I have a QF3 and the Buddy heater. I can say it does a pretty good job. I am going to upgrade to the Big Buddy. They did have a problem last year but I believe they have resolved that issue. The BB has 2x the BTU's I can't imagine how warm that is going to feel.

[Jeremy airjer W]

Everclear, These types of heaters (non vented) will produce CO. It occurs as a result of combustion. The Buddy and the Big Buddy has a safety feature called a "low oxygen Sensor". Basically it is the pilot flame that heats up a thermocouple that turns on/off the flow of propane to the ceramic elemnts. When the oxygen gets low enough the flame will loose its contact with the thermocouple. The thermocouple will then shut off the flow off gas. Using either of these in a portable shelter with proper ventalation is probably, in my opinion, one of the safer options we have.

My Big Buddy was one of the recall units last year. However I enjoyed using it all winter with no problems. I used the new one I recieved on Halloween for a couple of hours and it appears to be working top notch. I usually use it to heat my Otter Lodge. It provides plenty of heat even on the coldest days. I use an 11 pound pancake style propane tank Which is lighter and more stable than a 20lb tank. If you plan on using 1lb. cylinders plan an bringing half a dozen to heat you on the cold days. Its high setting, 18k btu's, will really burn up the propane.

The Big buddy would be the better choice for the extra money. You get the 4k and 9k BTU's like the regular Buddy but get the additional 18k BTU's for the cold days. The built in fan is a great feature that keeps the air circulating for a more even temp from top to bottom. The fan opperates on 4 D-cells wich last for around 8 hours or a 6 volt adapter that can be plugged into a 110v outlet.

I truly think that the people who like the Big Buddy are far more than the people that don't. I don't think you will be disapointed with either!

[Captain B.R.K]

I'll have to agree with AirJer, you'll be happy with both. I have one of the older buddies and haven't had any problems with it! I enjoy having that vs. a Mr.Heater cooker & 11lb propane tank because of the extra 11lbs in the house. If I'm going on a trip were it will be SUPER cold, then I keep it handy. Otherwise for every other day, I'm happy with my Mr.Buddy heating my Fishtrap Pro.

If you are going to be heating a bigger house, which it sounds like....take AirJer's advise!

[gman2002]

myself, i.ll take the mr.heater cooker anyday. with a 11 lb tank and a long hose , the tank can sit outside my guide. and a couple of hotdogs wrapped in tinfoil on top of the cooker for a few minutes, or any sandwich or soup , man ya cant beat that. always seem to hear of probs. with the buddys , opening the shack and having it go out , recalls, never have had a prob. with the mr heater/cooker and plenty of heat on super cold days

[schweady]

Is a Buddy Heater enough to heat an Otter Medium Cabin? or is a Big Buddy needed?

[tisch008]

If you can afford it, go with the Big Buddy. I have an Otter Den and a Buddy Heater and it does fine except when it gets REALLY cold. Then I have to break out the sunflower. So, with your bigger set-up I'd recommend the Big Buddy. You should be ready for anything.

[hanronson]

I have a Buddy heater that works fine with the 1 lb. tank attached to it but when I hook up my 5 lb. tank with the long hose I have a hard time getting the pilot lit. Does anyone else have this problem? It works fine with a 20 lb. tank. I am thinking of buying the 11 lb. pancake tank and just not using the 5 pounder. The Buddy heats my Trap Scout and Clam Jr. just fine but when I use my 6 X 8 port., I have to use a small sunflower with it to keep warm. Instead of buying a Big Buddy, I am thinking of getting another Buddy and using the two together for the 6 X 8.