Propane Heaters in a Tent
 

Has anyone used one of the Big Buddy propane heaters in a tent, especially above 7000 ft?

I have a 6-man Cabella's Alaskan Guide tent.

Did it do a good job for you?

Any complaints?

RE: Propane Heaters in a Tent
 

Only concern is the safety feature (low oxygen cutoff).
We hunt above 10,000 ft though. Thought about getting one of those as a "backup" heat source (we use wood stoves), but like you was unsure if it would operate properly at altitude. Propane heat in general works fine, just make sure you ventilate. And use a Carbon Monoxide detecter as it could save your life!

RE: Propane Heaters in a Tent
 

double that notion... Co2 detector.... priceless!

RE: Propane Heaters in a Tent
 

I have used them before with no problem at about 8000 feet. Make sure the tent have good ventilation.

RE: Propane Heaters in a Tent
 

You only need it to dress in the mornings and undress in the evenings.the co2 dedector will go off the moment you light the heater ,if you need it to sleep you brought the wrong sleeping bag.My tent is warmed from the small pack stove I use to make coffee in the mornings ,my the time it perks it's warm enough to get out of the bag.


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RE: Propane Heaters in a Tent
 

We don't use that particular heater but do use a two burner propane heater each year without a problem at a little over 9000 ft. Just make sure it's a ceramicheating elementand you have some vents.

RE: Propane Heaters in a Tent
 

I like the way you think. Excellent idea!

RE: Propane Heaters in a Tent
 

Used propane heaters for years and only had the carbon monoxide detector go off once, and that was because the windows were closed in sealed tent. If all is working properly, the CO2 detector won't go off upon lighting the stove.

RE: Propane Heaters in a Tent
 

I'd be very cautious using any kind of propane or other heater using combustible fuel in a confined, close area like a tent without sufficient ventilation both high in the encloser to let the gases (cabon monixide lighter than air, if it unexpectedly was created) and (CO2, heavier than air where you're sleeping). Both in sufficient concentrations can be deadly.
I'd check with the manufacturer and get their recommendation, warnings and read/follow exactly. If they say don't use in a tent or other unventilated enclosure... man then find another way to keep warm.
Don't make life any shorter than it already is.

RE: Propane Heaters in a Tent
 

I bowhunt CO every year at around 9800ft. I use an old Army "CP" tent with a liner, and I also use a butane burner [some people call it a fish cooker] (inside the tent) attached by a hose to a butane tank (outside the tent). On the burner I keep a large 1 gallon coffee pot. When I rise in the AM, I reach over and light the burner. Regardless of the temp outside,the tent and the water get just right in a few minutes. I then light the lantern and enjoy a cup of joe while getting dressed. On cold evenings after a days hunting, I might light the burner to get the chill out of the air before tunring in. BUT I NEVER LAY DOWN TO GO TO SLEEP WITH THAT BURNER LIT!!!!!!!!Had a friend in Montana who died in his tent because he fell asleep with a butane stove (bought at walmart) burning. Live and Learn!

RE: Propane Heaters in a Tent
 

We camp at upper 10's and used a sport cat heater last year. Left the tent unzipedin several places. Maybe raised the temp in the tent 10degrees which did feel better although for theweight difference, buy a better bag. Was snowed in the first day which really made it nice while we played cards. Was the midranged sized, burn 16 hrs on one cyclinder. There is a larger one that sucks twice the gas.

RE: Propane Heaters in a Tent
 

To answer the original question I have used a Mr Heater Big Buddy in a large tent (Sleeps 8) several times. It works well unless there is wind, if there is you won't even notice the thing is on. I'll be honest I've never used\needed the co2 sensor because the heater has a low oxygen shut off and that works great. I've even used it inside an RV with a lot of success. In fact once I forgot to vent my tent and the heater kept going out, it was driving me nuts. Once I ventilated the tent the heater stayed on so I can vouch the low oxygen shutoff works great. They are very indoor safe.

RE: Propane Heaters in a Tent
 

I'm with you on that one Dayna0306, I normally use an old Sear's Cabin Tent which is good for two guys...cot on one each side and a table in the middle. Crank up the Mister Heater at bedtime, heat the tent up, and turn it off till morning. I just make sure I know where the lighter is so I can light it from my bag and let the tent warm before getting out!!

RE: Propane Heaters in a Tent
 

My brother the heating guy bought me a detector for my 6x12 box trailer and as soon as I light my propane light or colman stove it goes off .It's was exspensive but worthless to me .maybe I'll put it in my house.please guys never go to sleep with a heater or stove burning ,buy a good hollyII filled bag on ebay for $30 and you will never need the heaters while sleeping.I have 3 different bags that I use and i have slept in -20 degrees confortably .If only I could spellllll .


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RE: Propane Heaters in a Tent
 

I have used them as has our “neighbors” from Michigan…. Result…. Unreliable at 9000’ even if you allow a breeze to blow thru your tent (even a canvas wall tent), it is not a CO2 sensor as I understand it, it is a low oxygen sensor and at altitude you are already low on oxygen. Intermittant, unreliable heat source. We have had cold neighbors come visit us to thaw out because they relied soley on Buddy Heaters for heat. Not fit for use as the only source of heat on acold weather elk hunting trip in my opinion.

On occasion I have used a 7x9 dome tent (two men) on Winter Elk Hunts, either in spike camp or as highly mobile truck set up, and we use the straight Mister Heater and a Carbon Monoxide detector placed at bunk level. With some tent zips open just a little, we use it to warm the tent (and ourselves --- “recharge” is critical) in the evening hours as we eat and get ready for bed. We position the heater so we can turn it on and off from our cot. We shut it off for sleeping (close the zips clear shut) and then when the alarm clock goes off in the morning we light the Mister Heater from bed, let it go 5 minutes and things are warm as toast, open some zips and get dressed and eat breakfast. Leave camp warm and happy.

Some folks are pushing “just get a warmer bag”, IMHO if you are hunting elk hard day after day in challenging terrain, at altitude, and in the weather you will NEED the warm evening hours and comfortable morning launch hours to keep up both your spirits and your stamina. A bag alone, night after night, day after day with no heat is essentially unworkable for all but the “iron men” i.e. 1% of hunters.

RE: Propane Heaters in a Tent
 

Im with EKM, I spent a week camping for elk last year with no heat other than a camp fire and I was plain whupped. Much more so then when we had a big wall tent with a big wood stove, from the minute you were back at camp you were toaster, you could get out of your heavy warm clothing and sit around and relax.

RE: Propane Heaters in a Tent
 

I have the same tent(Cabelas Alaskan Guide 6) and ususally camp at 5K to 6K. You don't need the Big Buddy for this tent. I have the regular size Mr. Buddy and it is more than enough.I've used it for three years and would get another if I lost this one. You can hook up a bottle to both sizes.

RE: Propane Heaters in a Tent
 

I use a Mr. Buddy in my 10x14 tent. I hook it up to a 20lb tank and keep the tank outside the tent. I'm usually camped around 10,000 and it works like a champ. I can handle sleeping in the cold, but this setup is too simple and effective not to use.

RE: Propane Heaters in a Tent
 

I have all kinds of heaters, the buddy heater included. They work fine at higher elevations anyways I've never hada problem. You need heaters for drying clothes and having a good comfortable evening. I spent muzzleloading season last year soaked to the bone everyday and so were the clients. Yeah we had waterproof gear but in those types of weather nothing stops the wetness. We used heaters alot, but I still will tell you honestly to buy a really good sleeping bag and turn off the heater while sleeping. We have atleast two tents in camp sleeping and eating tents. So you can leave your boots in the eating tent with the heaters running all night to dry them out and still wake up feeling good without being congested from the heaters. I wake up way before everyone else crawl out of my cold guide tent and go light the hunters heater so they have atleast an hour and half of heat before they get up. Plus it gives me time to feed the horses and saddle them. You could do the same thing by having the heater within arms reach and you could light it before getting up. But I won't sleep with a heater on. 1% or not I like the cold clean air of sleeping outdoors. And they make the bags that will do it.

RE: Propane Heaters in a Tent
 

It may be that it worked for you. BUT the warning on the box tells you NOT to use it indoors. There's gotta be a reason for that.

RE: Propane Heaters in a Tent
 

That's actually not true. I don't know which version you have but the box mine came in says "indoor safe". In fact here is part of the description that is on Cabela's website.

"Portable Big Buddy Heater is ideal for taking the chill off almost any place you need extra warmth. And because it's equipped with a low-oxygen shut-off pilot safety, it can be used safely in tents, blinds, ice shacks and other enclosed areas. "

http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20075-cat280026_TGP&rid=&indexId=cat280026&n avAction=push&masterpathid=&navCount=1&amp ;parentType=index&parentId=cat280026&id=00 27876

Possibly you have an older one?

Anyway I love mine when I'm tenting it. I also use the 20 lb bottle and it works great, too easy not touse like somone else said. I do keep the propane bottle outside the tent and run a hose inside.