Author Topic: Propane Heater for Hardside Ice shack (Read 16402 times)

EmeraldShiner · « **on:** Dec 16, 2013, 06:40 PM »

Hey Ladies and Gentleman,

Am looking for some advice on a portable propane heating device for a Hardside Ice Shack, no larger than 8' x 10', am thinking Cabelas is the best source for the unit. Could you give advice as to whether I am on the right track, if so, which unit offerred by Cabelas would you recommend and if not what other source would you go to to buy the best product at the highest quality?

Thank you for your time and devotion dedicated to attention to this matter,

EmerarldShiner

MG39 · « **Reply #1 on:** Dec 16, 2013, 06:49 PM »

I use the Big Buddy in mine Mark. I think you might find one less expensive than what Cabela's gets.

lunkahville · « **Reply #2 on:** Dec 16, 2013, 06:54 PM »

We had a(n) 8'x8' hardside that had a small wall mount propane heater in it. That worked awesome. I think it was around 25,000 btu. It may sound like over kill but I have never been kept as warm as that thing would do. And if you pay attention to unclehenrys or craiglist you might be able to pick one up cheap. And it hardly used any propane so a bbq tank ran it for a weekend.

Fish Wayniac · « **Reply #3 on:** Dec 16, 2013, 07:05 PM »

I have a 8x10 shack and have a home made wood stove.You can also buy a tent wood stove at Cabellas and Northern tool.I like the wood heat cause can cook with and the woods free.

Hoodoo · « **Reply #4 on:** Dec 16, 2013, 07:10 PM »

I have a Mr.Buddy Heater that heats my portable well, Not sure who makes the one you can cook on or heat with, but that is what I would upgrade to.

BassinAssassin · « **Reply #5 on:** Dec 16, 2013, 07:18 PM »

Here's a cheap one
http://mobile.walmart.com/m/phoenix#ip/Mr.-Heater-Portable-Propane-Radiant-Heater-Cooker/20775614

Sinnian · « **Reply #6 on:** Dec 16, 2013, 07:22 PM »

X2 on the Big Buddy! With batteries in it, the blower feature can not be beat. Like MG stated, shop around ~ I picked mine up at the end of Feb at Lowes for 1/2 price (think I learned that from Bob too ;-) )

Brookieslayer20 · « **Reply #7 on:** Dec 16, 2013, 08:20 PM »

Quote from: MG39 on Dec 16, 2013, 06:49 PM

I use the Big Buddy in mine Mark. I think you might find one less expensive than what Cabela's gets.

also use the big buddy in my 4x8 love it

Epkomd · « **Reply #8 on:** Dec 16, 2013, 09:28 PM »

i use the sunflower. they say you shouldnt use em in an enclosed area, but i havent had any problems with it. IT throws plenty of heat, is fairly cheap, and you can cook on it.

I had a buddy heater and hated it. i much prefer the sunflower. but thats just my opinion. i think i got it for 50 bucks?

jacksmelt71 · « **Reply #9 on:** Dec 17, 2013, 01:30 AM »

i have a 1 burner cast iron propane stove i bought at northern tool , piped to a grill tank w/ a regulator. cheap to heat and you can cook on it also. grill tank lasts a long time.

kevinmaine3 · « **Reply #10 on:** Dec 17, 2013, 06:05 AM »

I have a 5x7 hard side. I got one of those little military stoves in it. Works great!! I burn sterno logs in it. I also have a Mr. Buddy heater, both work well.

FRESH-BAIT · « **Reply #11 on:** Dec 17, 2013, 01:24 PM »

Theres a few options for ya I like the Nu-way stoves they're cool little heaters. I bought one of their wood stoves years ago from northern tool on clearance for $40. New they run around $100 for the wood stove, They also make them for propane and will run you from $139-$199. you can check them out here http://www.nuwaystove.com/

or you can go with the blue flame ventless heaters which are pretty nice and throw alot of heat. Can be wall mounted
I found a bunch at northern tool http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/NTESearch?storeId=6970&N=0&Ntk=All&Ntt=procom&Nty=1&D=procom&Ntx=mode matchallpartial&Dx=mode matchallpartial&cmnosearch=PPC&cm_ven=bing_PPC&cm_cat=SubBrands&cm_pla=generic&cm_ite=procom&mkwid=buqQPTqqx&pcrid=785141935&mt=b , but also if you get the latest issue of In-Fishermans Ice fishing magazine there is a Reeds catalog in there with a ton of cool stuff for ice fishing. www.reedssports.com they have alot of the Mr. Heater propane heaters. from $119-$279.

I'm a fan of a small wood stove, b/c I like the dry heat and if you know someone that can weld for free or cheap you can make one from just about anything.

Propane tends to make to much condensation on the inside of the shanty for me. I've also seen guys heat their whole shack with just a propane camp stove or a few propane lamps. Good luck.

Coach · « **Reply #12 on:** Dec 17, 2013, 05:11 PM »

I was fishing on Crystal and a gentleman was leaving and offered up his shack to us as the Wind was blowing a gale. I was so hot in there we were down to a tee shirt. Here is a picture of his setup with the heater he used. If I ever go with a hardside, this is what I would use.

Sinnian · « **Reply #13 on:** Dec 17, 2013, 05:45 PM »

Not sure if I would store a propane tank there

jacksmelt71 · « **Reply #14 on:** Dec 17, 2013, 08:46 PM »

a 1 burner stove on the floor w/ that setup works great and you can cook on it. i put 2 , 3in slant vents on either end up near the roof to help w/ condensation. heat loss is minimal and you always have fresh air. been doing this for 30yrs.! near have condensation.

The Rusty Crab · « **Reply #15 on:** Dec 17, 2013, 08:50 PM »

I'm looking for a good high btu propane unit for the entry way at my "place" this looks interesting

Coach · « **Reply #16 on:** Dec 17, 2013, 09:15 PM »

Quote from: Sinnian on Dec 17, 2013, 05:45 PM

Not sure if I would store a propane tank there

The heater was not running when the tank was there, I can see where it looks like it was. He only had the one tank

9huskies · « **Reply #17 on:** Dec 17, 2013, 09:17 PM »

Quote from: Coach on Dec 17, 2013, 05:11 PM

I was fishing on Crystal and a gentleman was leaving and offered up his shack to us as the Wind was blowing a gale. I was so hot in there we were down to a tee shirt. Here is a picture of his setup with the heater he used. If I ever go with a hardside, this is what I would use.

(Image removed from quote.)

Those Empire heaters put out some serious BTUs along with a lot of water vapor. A new one lists for about $500. For about $700 you can get the Empire DV210 direct vent heater. It vents through an outside wall so all the exhaust gasses won't pollute the air in your shack with carbon monoxide or water vapor. I still prefer a wood burning stove.

icecruiser · « **Reply #18 on:** Dec 17, 2013, 10:25 PM »

Emerald,
Buy a little wood stove. Much nicer heat on the ice. Dry heat vs the moisture associated with the propane. In my opinion there is no comparison.

I used the buddy heater and could never get warm or dry stuff out in the shack. I did that for 2 years. Now I have a wood stove in my shack and I can hang out in it no matter what the weather. Some of the new bio bricks or geo bricks or envi blocks burn nice and slow and controlled and with little ash and very compact. When using plain wood I found that the temperature variation was greater.

My favorite heat is the wood stove. I can show you sometime if you want, you know where i am. Might be worth checking out sometime this year if you get a chance.

John

PerchPro113 · « **Reply #19 on:** Dec 18, 2013, 12:35 AM »

My cousins use an old three burner camp stove. One burner heats that thing up nice! And you can cook to!!!!

Scalloper · « **Reply #20 on:** Dec 18, 2013, 05:55 AM »

I plan on sleeping in mine many nights fishing and hunting coyotes over bait. This is what I am buying as they have a thurmos stat and are direct vented. Some consider these the safest option.
http://www.fishhousesupply.com/furnaces.htm
This is another option if you like propane
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Nu-Way-Ice-Fish-House-Deer-Stand-Stove-LP-Propane-12000-btu-180-Day-warranty/200964420749?rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222002%26algo%3DSIC.FIT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D261%26meid%3D3484100996840718437%26pid%3D100005%26prg%3D1088%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D3%26sd%3D200964420744%26#ht_866wt_1361
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Nu-Way-Ice-Fish-House-Deer-Stand-Stove-LP-Propane-26000-btu-180-day-warranty-/200964420744?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eca69b488#ht_1167wt_1361
Here is a wood stove option
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Nu-Way-Ice-Fish-House-Deer-Stand-Heater-Stove-Wood-180-day-Warranty-20-Gauge-/200964420745?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2eca69b489#ht_1085wt_1361

Hoodoo · « **Reply #21 on:** Dec 18, 2013, 06:44 AM »

Quote from: icecruiser on Dec 17, 2013, 10:25 PM

Emerald,
Buy a little wood stove. Much nicer heat on the ice. Dry heat vs the moisture associated with the propane. In my opinion there is no comparison.

I used the buddy heater and could never get warm or dry stuff out in the shack. I did that for 2 years. Now I have a wood stove in my shack and I can hang out in it no matter what the weather. Some of the new bio bricks or geo bricks or envi blocks burn nice and slow and controlled and with little ash and very compact. When using plain wood I found that the temperature variation was greater.

My favorite heat is the wood stove. I can show you sometime if you want, you know where i am. Might be worth checking out sometime this year if you get a chance.

John

X2 if I didn't have a portable, I would do wood too, the moisture the gas puts does make it dripping damp....

Scalloper · « **Reply #22 on:** Dec 18, 2013, 07:11 AM »

The Empire vented heaters I listed above should not have the moisture issues that non vented heaters have.

StingingLips · « **Reply #23 on:** Dec 18, 2013, 01:29 PM »

I have just put a procom ice house propane heater in my shack. havent had it running for more then 3 hours yet but it hasnt fogged the windows up yet. its 10000 btu and cranks heat.

The Rusty Crab · « **Reply #24 on:** Dec 18, 2013, 02:44 PM »

so you guys like the blue flame one or the infrared one. What is the big difference.

Scalloper · « **Reply #25 on:** Dec 18, 2013, 03:46 PM »

There is somthing about a woodstove in a shanty. Its without a dought the best heat and way to dry stuff off. My only problem is to hot or to cool they are hard to regulate.
Here are some more options for a wood stove
http://www.walltentshop.com/woodcampstoves.html

Scalloper · « **Reply #26 on:** Dec 18, 2013, 03:48 PM »

Quote from: The Rusty Crab on Dec 18, 2013, 02:44 PM

so you guys like the blue flame one or the infrared one. What is the big difference.

I was told yesterday by a heating tech guy that the ones with the glowing brick are much more efficient

MG39 · « **Reply #27 on:** Dec 18, 2013, 03:55 PM »

Quote from: Scalloper on Dec 18, 2013, 03:46 PM

There is somthing about a woodstove in a shanty. Its without a dought the best heat and way to dry stuff off. My only problem is to hot or to cool they are hard to regulate.
Here are some more options for a wood stove
http://www.walltentshop.com/woodcampstoves.html

x2 on the wood stoves, they are too hard to regulate, wood takes up too much room & a pain to get it there. I have the Buddy in my shack vented in the peaks, don't have any condensation problems and I can keep the temp where I want it.

pegasus · « **Reply #28 on:** Dec 18, 2013, 04:59 PM »

Just bought a Mr. Heater Buddy at Tractor Supply for 74.89.

StingingLips · « **Reply #29 on:** Dec 18, 2013, 06:32 PM »

Quote from: MG39 on Dec 18, 2013, 03:55 PM

x2 on the wood stoves, they are too hard to regulate, wood takes up too much room & a pain to get it there. I have the Buddy in my shack vented in the peaks, don't have any condensation problems and I can keep the temp where I want it.

When I had the wood stove I liked how I could dry stuff. get it cranking hot when it was in the negatives, and didn't need insulation in the shack. what turned me away from it and made me switch to the propane was having to lug wood, wood taking up space like you said, having to shovel the ash out, it made a mess, took up a good amount of room, couldn't control the heat and had to keep feeding it, and with the chimney only being 6 feet tall sometimes a very strong wind would blow the smoke back inside to the point you couldnt see in through one window and out the other. that could have been my fault about the chimney. I could have built it better I guess.

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Author Topic: Propane Heater for Hardside Ice shack (Read 16402 times)