Fish house heaters

[marbleye]

I just purchased a 2-man fish trap and wondering what kind of heater to use in it. Any advice would be helpful....<>< <><

[toughguy]

I just picked up a mr heater that hooks up to a LP tank. I got the kind that can be fliiped on its back so it can be used for cooking too. Will keep you plenty warm in a portable. Got it at Fleet Farm for about $40. It will also run on coleman tanks.

[Dan Thiem]

I agree with toughguy, the Mr. Heater heater/cooker is the way to go.

Does anybody else have a cooker heater that howls like a banshee when first lit?

On a day that's not so cold a Mr. Heater Buddy or Big Buddy would do good also.

[toughguy]

Dan,

The noise at startup is normal. You have nothing to worry about. What do you cook on the ice??? Beer Brats, deer, fish, steak, grilled cheese all work well for me. Just looking for some variety on the ice this year.

[Dan Thiem]

Quote:

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What do you cook on the ice??? Beer Brats, deer, fish, steak, grilled cheese all work well for me. Just looking for some variety on the ice this year.

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Just about anything in butter. I think an old Reebok tennis shoe would taste good fried in enough butter. I think this year I'll try some "boil in the bag" ideas that I've read on here.

My old beat up Mr. Heater, and my old Paulin (both sunflower type) don't make that noise when starting up.

[Gus]

mmmmmm butter fryed english muffin, egg, ham, and cheese sandwich. All cooked in a single pan of butter over the mr. heater. Not a bad way to start the morning!

[toughguy]

That reminds me..... I might have to add TP and a dirty 5 gal. bucket to my "on the ice list".

[Gus]

Cabelas used to have a toilet seat that you mounted to your receiver hitch of the truck called the Bumper Dumper. I don't think they have them anymore but what a funny product idea that was!!

[Tripleplay]

I bought a Fish Trap Guide last year and went with the Buddy heater. Nice thing is with the optional hose you can run off of tanks or you can use the 1 lb disposables. I got tired of having to lift the tank in as well so I pretty much use the disposables.

What I like about the Buddy is I actually leave it sitting in the sled between the seats and it isn't so hot that you are going to roast yourself or your clothing. (Ask Holehopper to explain the melted rearend of my sons snowpants he got from his sunflower and he'll tell you about a nice little jig from an 11 year old!)

I usually just fish in my bibs and a sweatshirt and the Buddy allows that without all of the hassle of the tank if I choose the disposables and honestly seems a bit safer from the perspective of my son;s escapade. (He has also melted his line more than a couple of times on the sunflower out in front so I may save a bit on tackle replacement as well.)

[toughguy]

Bumper Dumper!!!! LOL LOL. Now that is a classic product name.

[booshy]

I follow the same thought as Tripleplay and just picked up a Big Buddy--has the blower fan-- The sunflowers will kick out the heat but I've seen too many holes in potable houses because the wind picks up or someone doesn't tend to the zipper door and BOOM there is a nice little burned hole in the door. I'm excited for the new heating arrangement in my XL Twin, but do rely on another buddy to brng his sunflower cooker for the food.

[IceFishin]

I currently own a fish trap voyager. I use a buddy heater, and sometimes a small propane grill. The things that I like about the grill is that I can cook with it, dry my gloves off on it (when the cover is on) and it puts out a good amount of heat

[Dan Thiem]

Welcome to F.M. IceFishin,

The grill thing is a great idea. Thanks for joining and thanks for the tip about the little propane grill. I'll have to try that out for sure!

[bobO]

I have a two man fish trap as well. I use a Mr.heater cooker and work good. I have a hose and run it a 20 lbs heater that I leave in my sled. nice not having to mess with those little 1 lber all the time when your hands are freezing. I usually just run it on low,but its nice to know you'll never get cold. I recomend using a hose and bigger(11 or 20 lbs tank) sure its a little more gear to bring but you don't have to worry about changing those little tanks all the time. not to mention that they are expensive. I started out using the littel tanks but after two trips I bought a hose and 11 lbs tank, and that was 10 years ago.I would also recomend the Paulpin cooker heater vs the mr.heater. I had my paulpin for ten years and it worked better than the mr heater i have now.

[huntnfish]

I used the heater/cooker for quite a few years but this year I broke down and bought the big buddy. I am hoping that the issues with them are gone. I have done a few tests with it by simulating wind and it hasn't gone out. It sure does kick out some heat. I am going to use the 1 pounders in my one man and in my big double wide I am going to go with the 20 and a filter that they recommend. The cooker was great and I have no complaints other than the fumes and melted clothes. I was very happy with how quiet the buddy heater was.