propane powered salamander heater

[amertrac]

has anyone had any experience with a propane salamander heater? Tractor supply has a 60k unit on sale for 99  bucks. Do they have a fume problem? A condensation collection problem? ( steel uninsulated roof)I would have it in my garage when i work out there. I have a kerosene one now but i have to heat the garage then shut it off when i work .  bob w.

[Stoney]

Never used a propane salamander

[rusty]

My dad had one and hated it, it smelled funky, and gave off tons of water vapor and condensed all over everything. I can't say I like how the kero ones smell tho...

Can you rent one for a few days and try it out?

[geneg]

I had one & used it for a few years.  Found that it worked better if you siamesed two tanks together into the hose.  Keep the tanks outside and run a hose thru a hole.  Odor was not a problem- especially compared to kerosene versions.  Any unvented combustion is going to create condensation.  Rapid temp rise seems to aggrevate it.  I rigged up a line voltage thermostat for mine.  Set it for above freezing the night befoe and then turn it up first thing in the morning.   More economical than kerosene & you don't smell like it for days.

[Aunt Phil]

Propane offers a different set of problems from Kero.

To begin with propane consumes more oxygen.  If the building is leaky enough to make the oxygen up fine, if not the flame will die for want of oxygen.

Propane gives off more than the water vapor in exhaust if it's a catalytic ceramic type burner, manufacturers just don't mention it.  Propane gives off acid.  I have a van roof that proves it after 10# of unvented propane use in the van.

Another benefit of propane's oxygen consumption is you may get light headed working in the unvented space.

Burning propane in an unvented room is not safe!  Neither is kero.

[amertrac]

thanks guys ,I am going out to the garage more now and i need heat only when i work there.Wood is good and cheap but not instant or safe to leave burning when I am not there . i have kero burner but I have to heat then shut off while iI work because of the fumes
I thought propane would be better and cheaper than electric. I guess I have to work faster and make my own heat  .   LOL
bob w.

[johnsironsanctuary]

I worked all winter a few years ago, in an unheated BIG steel building. I used a propane radiant heater on top of a propane tank. Fuel consumption is reasonable and all you heat is yourself and the stuff near you. A good portion of the time was computer time. It was not bad, considering.

[Franz15]

I don't know much about the propane salamander heater, but I use a Mr. Heater LP Gas Radiant Heater. Its cheap (maybe $40), portable and works great!

[Dustin21]

i use a propane heater in the basement of the house no heat at  all down there stays in the 40's year round  havent really had a problem with fumes or condensation.. use it in the garage also..

[mrchuck]

They are great at providing heat,,BUT since they consume enormous amount of oxygen, the produce ENORMOUS amounts of deadly carbon monoxide!!

Using inside a tight inside area will be very, very dangerous.
Using inside a building under construction with end doors open will be ok.
If you use one in a tightly closed workshop, you will kill yourself.

I have responded to numerous emergency calls using these burners to keep warm,, and as the primary investigator, I found all of these were the cause of carbon monoxide poisoning.

So,,,,be aware.