If you plan to have outdoor activities such as camping or fishing, having a portable heater is a must. One of the most popular options for portable heaters is Mr. Heater's Buddy heater. These heaters are primarily utilized for outdoor use, but, can you use them indoors? We did some research for you, and this is what we discovered.
You can use Mr. Heater Buddy indoors, even in a camper, as it is rated for indoor and outdoor use. With its low oxygen sensors, these heaters automatically turn off when they detect carbon monoxide in the atmosphere. However, regardless of brand or reputation, it pays to be cautious, and you should take preventive precautions when using a gas heater indoors.
Keep reading as we dive into the pros and cons of using Mr. Heater's buddy heater, how it works, and the risks of using it indoors. We'll also cover what safety precautions you should practice when you use a buddy heater in your RV, how to handle propane properly, and what products are in the Mr. Heater Buddy series you can choose from.
Is It Safe To Use Mr. Heater Indoors?
Indoor use of Mr. Heater is safe as long as it is an indoor product. Mr. Heater products designed specifically for indoor usage are the only safe ones.
How Does Mr. Heater Buddy Work?
Mr. Heater Buddy is a portable propane heater that can be used indoor/outdoor and can heat up to 225 square feet. It is powered by a 1-pound propane tank but may be connected to a larger tank through a line.
Camping, fishing, and hunting vacations will be more comfortable with this heater. It's also an excellent heater to have on hand in case of a power outage throughout the winter.
Pros and Cons Of Using Mr. Heater Buddy
Here are some pros and cons of using Mr. Heater Buddy:
Pros
- On high or low, it produces enough heat
- Setup is simple
- Outstanding safety features
Cons
- Quickly depletes propane
- Tank capacity is limited
What Are The Risks Of Using Propane Heaters Indoors?
The primary dangers of utilizing these heaters are:
- fire; and
- CO (carbon monoxide) poisoning.
Fire
Propane is quite flammable. If your propane tank leaks, there is a huge chance of a fire breaking out in your home.
Because propane is heavier than air, it tends to sink to the ground and accumulate in the cracks and crevices of your home, where it can be ignited by flames, sparks, or even static electricity.
CO (Carbon Monoxide) Poisoning
The most serious risk of utilizing a buddy heater in an enclosed environment, such as your RV, is carbon monoxide poisoning.
The combustion of propane, like that of natural gas, produces carbon monoxide. Because carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless, it might be difficult to detect until it is too late. Effective carbon monoxide detectors are necessary for any home, especially one heated with propane.
Safety Practices To Do When Using Buddy Heater In Your RV
Although you can use buddy heaters in campers, it won't hurt to follow these safety practices to ensure that there won't be any damage:
- Use a commercial carbon monoxide detector at all times.
- Ensure that the heater is intended for indoor use.
- Understand the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning and the levels at which they occur.
- Maintain a cracked window vent by the owner's handbook.
- Never sleep with a buddy heater turned on.
- If you are sleepy or experiencing other symptoms, move out of that area and get some fresh air to see if you feel better. Do not use the heater any longer.
- Regularly inspect your heater for leaks.
What Are The Symptoms Of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?
Dizziness, headache, weakness, chest discomfort, upset stomach, vomiting, and confusion are the most typical symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning.
CO symptoms are frequently described as flu-like, and inhaling a large amount can cause you to faint or kill you. CO poisoning can kill people who are sleeping or drinking before they show symptoms.
Benefits Of Using Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon monoxide detectors alert you to rising carbon monoxide contents in a building or residence. The alarm alerts you when one of your appliances isn't working properly and can alert anyone in the building before it's too late.
A carbon monoxide monitoring system can also protect those who are unable to respond to alerts, such as pets, the elderly, youngsters, the disabled, and others.
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How To Properly Handle Propane?
Most, if not all, buddy heaters run on propane, and this type of duel can be quite dangerous. So here are some guidelines on how to handle propane properly:
Never keep propane tanks indoors
If a canister has even a minor leak, keeping propane inside is dangerous. Keep your propane tank outside and away from any nearby power lines.
Keep embers, sparks, and open flames away from propane
Propane is highly flammable. It's common sense to keep any fire source as far away from your propane canisters as possible.
If you smell gas, turn off the valve and contact a professional
Seal the valve as much as you can if you suspect your propane canister is leaking. Then remove everyone from the canister and contact a specialist to inspect it. They will be able to conduct any necessary repairs effectively.
Propane canisters should be stored upright
A propane tank turned sideways puts the valve at risk of harm. This can result in leaks, fires, or even an explosion.
Fill canisters to no more than 80% capacity
Propane expands and contracts in response to temperature changes. By leaving 20% of your tank's capacity accessible, you allow it to readily manage large temperature changes.
What Products Are In The Mr. Heater Buddy Series?
If you want to know your options, here are the products of Mr. Heater under their Buddy series:
Little Buddy® Heater
This unique 3,800 BTU heater taps into a 1-pound cylinder and is suited for tiny constrained rooms up to 95 square feet. ft. The supplied base takes up very little room (8-in round stand), and the incorporated handle makes transporting this heater a breeze.
Other features:
- Operation is quiet, clean, and odorless.
- Automatic shut-off system for low oxygen levels (ODS)
- Unintentional tip-over safety shut-off
- One-button ignition activation
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Portable Buddy® Heater
This unique heater has a 1-pound cylinder and is suitable for heating enclosed spaces like large tents up to 225 ft². In addition, this heater produces 4,000-9,000 BTU of heat.
A fold-down handle reinforces the great size-to-BTU ratio to deliver maximum output while leaving a tiny footprint.
Other features:
- Heat settings (high-low)
- Unintentional tip-over safety shut-off
- Swivel control
- Piezo igniter is included
- Directly connects to a 20-pound cylinder and has filter and hose options
- Automatic shut-off system for low oxygen levels (ODS)
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Big Buddy® Portable Heater
This one-of-a-kind radiant heater connects directly to two 1-pound cylinders and produces 4,000-18,000 BTU of heat. This is also perfect for heating enclosed spaces up to 450 ft².
Using two swivel regulators and a single hose and filter, you can transition from expendable cylinders to a remote gas supply.
Other features:
- Heat settings: High-Medium-Low
- Automatic shut-off system for low oxygen levels (ODS)
- It connects to two 1 pound cylinders
- Start knob with one control
- Unintentional tip-over safety shut-off
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Hunting Buddy® Portable Heater
This efficient radiant 6,000-12,000 BTU heater runs on a single 1-pound cylinder and is ideal for heating tight rooms up to 300 ft².
Other features:
- Heat settings (high-low)
- Silent electronic ignition
- Automatic shut-off system for low oxygen levels (ODS)
- Unintentional tip-over safety shut-off
- Start knob with one control
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Note that you can use all the products in the Buddy Series in tents, campers, workshops, and garages, among other places.
Final Words
You can use Mr. Heater Buddy heaters indoors, provided that they are specifically for indoor use. These heaters can even be used in tents and RVs. However, there are still safety practices you must observe to ensure, especially that these heaters use propane as their primary power source.
Additionally, there are several products you can choose from Mr. Heater's Buddy Series that best suit your heating needs.
If you're still looking for other heater options you can use indoors, you can read this article to learn more: What Heaters Are Safe For Indoors? [7 Options Explored].
And if you want to know the best emergency heaters to use in case there is a power outage, you can check this article from this site: 6 Best Heaters To Use During A Power Outage.