Garage heater

[P8riot]

I can't get the dang ProCom heater in my shop to work. I tried replacing the thermocoupler with no results. Its not getting propane, so I assume its the gas control which is $70. I was willing to throw $10 at it for the thermocoupler, but considering a new heater is around $200 it doesn't make sense to throw anymore at it. Tank is 70% full. Its a big tank, I'm a newbie to propane tanks so I don't know the size. I will also replace the regulator at the tank to get it all done.

There is a 30,000 BTU infared in there now. I'm thinking I want a bullet/torpedo heater. It is about 1,000 square feet with 14 foot ceilings. The shop is insulated with 2 windows, so I will have ventilation.

Any good brands? Dyna-Glo, Mr. Buddy? Any cons to the bullet heater? I think anything over 125,000 BTU would be overkill, but a big unit would heat it fast and use less propane over heating longer.

 

[Quantum673]

Noise is the biggest downfall to a torpedo heater. They are pretty loud. They do warm spaces quickly though.

 

[hickslawns]

Noise and sometimes the stench of kerosene or diesel. For $200 I would probably stay with what was in there. How long since it was last used? Could there be a restriction in the line? I've heard of spiders plugging them up before. Not sure if there is any truth to it. Might be worth blowing out the line to confirm no restrictions. That doesn't cost anything.

 

[Left field]

My dad had a small torpedo heater for along time, did heat very quick , maybe look at used?

 

[Fletch]

How about a wood burning stove?? Man that's what I'd have if I had a big garage... Fire that sucker up, never too much heat....

 

[ThatBuckeyeGuy]

I'm sorry I don't have any propane recommendations for you I tore mine out when I moved here , however if you explore other avenues I have a garage thats a tad bigger but I run a pellet stove inside and I love it. Buy pellets in bulk in the off season and not have to deal with the mess of wood or price of propane.

 

[Buckmaster]

My man cave is over 1,500sqft with 22’ high ceilings. My 155,000 BTU K1 turbo heater can warm it from 20 to 50 degrees in 15 minutes. Downside is noise and K1 is $6.30/gal at my local gas station.

 

[ThatBuckeyeGuy]

My man cave is over 1,500sqft with 22’ high ceilings. My 155,000 BTU K1 turbo heater can warm it from 20 to 50 degrees in 15 minutes. Downside is noise and K1 is $6.30/gal at my local gas station.

I about shit when I grabbed some kerosene this year to heat a well room for a night with a round heater. Didn't know it went up that high was quite the shocker

 

[jagermeister]

1000 square feet? A salamander/torpedo heater is going to be way overkill in my opinion. And the noise while running it is awful. I suggest getting a ventless propane heater, wall-mounted. Either a blue fame or an infrared. Both are extremely efficient and virtually silent. The only somewhat downfall is that they do add a bit of moisture to the air… so if necessary, you may want to run a dehumidifier or crack a window occasionally.

 

[Left field]

With a torpedo heater you don’t have to talk to the wife

 

[Sauger]

I just installed a 80000btu propane garage heater on mine. I hhave about 900 in it with the pipe. Bought it from menards

 

[bigten05]

I run torpedoes in my shop while blasting and painting. Fuel cost sucks but they work good enough for now. Be ready to smell like burning fuel all day if your in front of them much. Another way to do it is find an old fuel oil furnace out of a trailer or something that will be my next purchase you use to be able to find them cheap. hook up thermostat and run it on off road diesel

 

[bigten05]

I also have a wall mounted propane heater in the garage at home I run it on a 100lb bottle I works good enough to take the chill out but not really warm the place up. Don't buy a Dewalt torpedo I got one for Christmas and it took a shit after 1 tank of fuel.

 

[CJD3]

I have a pellet burner. (Wood) On med fan/ med heat, I can get about 14 - 15 hrs out of a single, 40 lb bag depending on the temp. I buy a ton at a time ( 50- 40 lb bags)About $320.00 at tractor supply. Wood burners are vented straight out the wall to outside. No chimney.
And since it burns hard wood pellets, it can also “smoke” my clothes when I first light it up if I hang ‘em just down wind outside. 🫥

 

[Jamie]

When I was deciding how to heat my shop, I decided to go with a Redi-Heater. I need to take the heat with me for work sometimes, so this made good sense for me. Mine is 150K btu and has a built in thermostat. So, after the shop is warmed up, the heater only runs for a couple minutes three or four times in an hour. I insulated the ceiling, too, which helps hold in the heat very well. Been using it for about 15 years. It is loud, and kerosene is not cheap anymore, but still an economical choice if you are not heating the space continually all winter. My shop space is only about 800 square feet with 10’ ceiling and it heats up quickly.