Propane heater safe for garage?

[Martinjmpr]

With these freezing cold temps I still want to work in the garage. My little electric heaters aren't keeping up.

Thinking of this style of heater:

Sunnydaze Decor, 40,000 BTU Forced Air Propane Heater Auto-Shutoff, Heat Type Other, Heat Output 40000 Btu/hour, Heating Capability 225 ft?, Model# BAO-118 | Northern Tool (https://www.northerntool.com/products/sunnydaze-decor-40-000-btu-forced-air-propane-heater-auto-shutoff-heat-type-other-heat-output-40000-btu-hour-heating-capability-225-ft-model-bao-118-5051579?cm_mmc=Bing-pla&utm_source=Bing_PLA&utm_medium=Heaters%2C%20Stoves%20%2B%20Fireplaces% 20%3E%20Propane%20Heaters%20%3E%20Portable%20Propa ne%20Heaters&utm_campaign=Sunnydaze%20Decor&utm_content=5051579&cmpid=53403385&agid=3200075897&tgtid=pla-4577473071433206&prdid=5051579&ogmap=SHP%7CPLA%7CBING%7CSTND%7Cc%7CSITEWIDE%7C%7C Heaters%20%26%20Stoves%20%2B%20Fireplaces%20-%20SC%7CHeaters%2FStove%7C%7C53403385%7C3200075897&msclkid=7a93eea8a59d1093c53f8b00aaa8f4bb&gclid=7a93eea8a59d1093c53f8b00aaa8f4bb&gclsrc=3p.ds)

Are propane heaters safe to use in a garage where I might be working on vehicles? I think ventilation is fine I'm more concerned about flammability.

Also my other hobby is collecting and restoring old Coleman lanterns, the kind that use liquid fuel. So I might have fuel exposed if I open up the tank (fount) on one of my lanterns. Obviously I'd have the heater far from any work space but I still worry about any kind of open flame when I'm working around gasoline.

What are you all using in your garage/workshop/barn?

Would kerosene be any better? My only gripe with kero is I hate the smell.

[Great-Kazoo]

I used one for 3 yrs in my shop, then went to mini-splits. The only issue is. DO NOT TRIP OVER THE HOSE!

I also used a 12' ? supply line from the tank to heater. If you don't have any fans in the area, get 1, or 2. Once you get it dialed in you'll be able to work comfortable. Remember propane heat produces condensation, so adjust accordingly.

[gnihcraes]

Kerosene works great. More costly than propane. I used propane to heat up and switched to Kerosene to keep it warm.

[BPTactical]

Is carbon monoxide a thing you enjoy? If so burn a hydrocarbon fuel in an enclosed space!

Fuck Kerosene in any environment you want to:
A- Not smell like kerosene
B- Don't want the oily residue everywhere.

Another by product of combustion is moisture- That's why I never had any heat source in my shop other than electric.

[FoxtArt]

Is carbon monoxide a thing you enjoy? If so burn a hydrocarbon fuel in an enclosed space!

Fuck Kerosene in any environment you want to:
A- Not smell like kerosene
B- Don't want the oily residue everywhere.

Another by product of combustion is moisture- That's why I never had any heat source in my shop other than electric.

"Are you unable to sleep in even on the weekends? Let me introduce you to C0 in CO!"

This sells much better. Just saying...

[MarkCO]

Is carbon monoxide a thing you enjoy? If so burn a hydrocarbon fuel in an enclosed space!

Fuck Kerosene in any environment you want to:
A- Not smell like kerosene
B- Don't want the oily residue everywhere.

Another by product of combustion is moisture- That's why I never had any heat source in my shop other than electric.

So much this.

[Clint45]

It's very safe.

Only three concerns:

1. You need a carbon monoxide detector. They are cheap.

2. You cannot store gas cans or any solvents in that garage.

3. You should have a full sized dry chemical fire extinguisher nearby.

[Tim K]

The products of combustion of propane are H2O and CO2. CO is only produced if there isn't enough O2 to support complete combustion. As long as there is enough make-up air so the O2 level in the garage doesn't get low, you should be fine. Clint's idea of a CO detector is sound and would provide nice piece of mind.

As others have stated, it's going to make quite a bit of water vapor which will condense into liquid water on any cold surface.

[kidicarus13]

Sounds like the worst that can happen is things in the garage get wet and you die [emoji3517]

[BPTactical]

If I was going to do something other than electric it would be a Reznor or Modine horizontal forced air SEPERATED combustion heater.
They draw your combustion air from outside and combustion is in a sealed chamber - condensation is virtually nil and minimal CO risk.

[gnihcraes]

Never had a problem with my setup. Just don't run propane for long. Kerosene has little smell once burning, just a giant candle. :)

[Clint45]

The products of combustion of propane are H2O and CO2. CO is only produced if there isn't enough O2 to support complete combustion. As long as there is enough make-up air so the O2 level in the garage doesn't get low, you should be fine. Clint's idea of a CO detector is sound and would provide nice piece of mind.

As others have stated, it's going to make quite a bit of water vapor which will condense into liquid water on any cold surface.

If you have an optimal burn with a blue flame and no smoke, no CO should be generated.

If the burner is running lean or rich, CO can be an issue, especially with poor ventilation.

Generally propane is very safe.

[Great-Kazoo]

Sounds like the worst that can happen is things in the garage get wet and you die [emoji3517]

or slip on the ice created from the moisture, then crawl to where the cell phone went to, to call for help. Or an ambulance.

[longrange2]

If I was going to do something other than electric it would be a Reznor or Modine horizontal forced air SEPERATED combustion heater.
They draw your combustion air from outside and combustion is in a sealed chamber - condensation is virtually nil and minimal CO risk.

THIS, exactly what I have in my shop. Works great, it?s been running great for more than 25 years. Keep the shop at 50, if I want to work in there I kick it up a little. Of course I am working off a 500 gallon tank, might not be great with a small tank.

[longrange2]

Kerosene heaters were a craze in the 80s, I can’t tell you how many 5 gallon cans I filled at the lumberyard I worked. It was like 79 cents a gallon. Now it is so expensive I wouldn’t use it for anything other than lamps. I remember homes of people who used them a lot that had oily, sooty residue on the walls, no thanks.

[BushMasterBoy]

Mount one from the ceiling if there is room. Only way to do it right.


High-Efficiency Suspended Gas Wall & Ceiling Unit Heaters

https://www.grainger.com/category/hvac-and-refrigeration/heaters/gas-oil-kerosene-heaters/gas-wall-ceiling-heaters/suspended-gas-wall-ceiling-unit-heaters?sst=4&ts_optout=true&searchQuery=ceiling+shop+heater&categoryIndex=2

[theGinsue]

I use the Mr. Heater propane cooker heater I used to use in my ice fishing hut in my garage (no longer ice fish). It's this model: https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-F242300-000-15-Cooker/dp/B004W7VJU2/ref=asc_df_B004W7VJU2/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198096371923&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=17997194390251545357&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9029017&hvtargid=pla-370194010723&psc=1

Not fancy, but it does the job.

I have it aimed towards where my wife sits and about 5 ft from her. We usually just use it on the lowest setting to conserve propane. Even though I'm 45 degrees and 5 feet away from the heater I get sufficient heat to be comfortable.

Only a 6' hose but the heater is the full length of the hose away from the 20lb tank and sits on the concrete floor with nothing else near it.

Given that it was considered CO2 safe for a 4'x7'x6.5' nylon ice fishing hut, I figure it's safe for a garage. Been using it for several winters without a problem. The only down side it I look like a meth lab owner when I show up at the propane refill place every 3 weeks with 2 empty tanks to refill.

I also have an 18000 BTU Mr. Heater Big Buddy heater (https://www.amazon.com/Mr-Heater-Corporation-MH18B-Portable/dp/B07Q82MG8S/ref=asc_df_B07Q82MG8S/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=366383044230&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18195441988122351311&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9029017&hvtargid=pla-788228003713&psc=1&mcid=d750ba1966313d099603e3599adbbac1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=75157355966&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=366383044230&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18195441988122351311&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9029017&hvtargid=pla-788228003713), but I need a filter for it for use with the 20lb propane and sometimes it's a pain to get it started. The other one is simple and reliable.

[BPTactical]

^^^^
Own up to it- you just light your farts in the tent.

[Great-Kazoo]

By the time you figure this out. You could have had a mini-split installed.
I run a 110v unit in the reloading building (13x15) 64 is t-shirt comfortable.
2-220v in the shop (30x24) with 18' ceiling and 2 ceiling fans @ the 12' mark on each end of the shop. 1 hr running both @ med fan and ceiling fans keeps the shop @ 60, 2 hrs and it's t-shirt weather.
.
Heat in winter, cool in summer. no hoses to trip over, worry about condensation on tools, machinery, or reloading equipment. Surprisingly it's not a serious hit electric bill wise, but i also don't run them 24/7

[newracer]

I use a propane heater in my garage occasionally and just open the door slightly to allow for fresh air intake. They put off so much heat to door being open a little is not an issue.

[ben4372]

I went through all the heaters. my latest is a diesel vehicle heater. You do need to exhaust it outside. Also need a 12volt power source> I used an old battery with a trickle charger. I can get my detached, semi insulated garage warm enough. About a half gallon every 4 hours. Totally recommend. I recommend the split more. If I had a few bucks that would be my choice.


https://www.amazon.com/VEVOR-8KW-Diesel-Heater-Portable/dp/B0CFQN3LDL?ref_=ast_slp_dp&th=1

[longrange2]

If you can afford to do it, mini splits are great. We live in a house built in the 70s that only had baseboard electric. We put in the mini split a few years ago and love it, so nice to have AC in the summer now.



By the time you figure this out. You could have had a mini-split installed.
I run a 110v unit in the reloading building (13x15) 64 is t-shirt comfortable.
2-220v in the shop (30x24) with 18' ceiling and 2 ceiling fans @ the 12' mark on each end of the shop. 1 hr running both @ med fan and ceiling fans keeps the shop @ 60, 2 hrs and it's t-shirt weather.
.
Heat in winter, cool in summer. no hoses to trip over, worry about condensation on tools, machinery, or reloading equipment. Surprisingly it's not a serious hit electric bill wise, but i also don't run them 24/7

[zimagold]

Used portable propane with all the drawbacks for a few years in my attached 3 car garage because small electrics weren?t enough. It sucked as noted above.

I now have a mini-split installed because I added a sink and wanted to keep everything from freezing. It?s just left on freeze protect (46F) all winter. About an hour to bring it up to 60F for projects.

No moisture issues and no flame risks. I vote mini-split.

[theGinsue]

Anyone here a propane expert?

I refilled 2 of my 20lb tanks on Saturday. Both of these tanks have been refilled within the past month and both are well within the 5 years re-inspection dates (one was re-certed in November).

I went to use one of them (then tried the other one) yesterday. I plugged my hose for my heater in nice and tight, as always. As soon as I opened the valve I heard the hiss of leaking gas. I turned it off, checked the hose tightness and screw on the side, all good. Tried again; same result. Detached the hose, re-attached the hose. Tried again, same result. By now I faintly detected the smell of the propane in the air. I swapped the tank out with the other one and had the same experience.

When I got them filled I came out from paying after the guy had 1 tank filled but I noticed that the guy doing the filling (never seen him fill tanks before) never used the screw vent on the side. I also noted the weight of the filled tank on the filling scale and the sign showing how much a filled 20lb should weigh. The second tank was OVER the weight by more than a pound.

Are these tanks TOO FULL to keep from having the excess leak when the valve is open? Is there damage due to the guy filling not using the side screw vent while filling?

I really want to be able to use this propane for my heaters but I can't allow the garage to fill with propane - especially since my wife comes out to the garage to smoke.

Any help is appreciated.

[Erni]

If they are recent tanks than they have an overfill protection device. Basically idiot proofing so tank doesn?t go boom.
Since you had the issue with two tanks my money is on the hose being bad. That or the guy filling them messed up both tanks inlets - probably unlikely.
If there is an oring it may be old and with this cold not sealing well.

[buffalobo]

If they are recent tanks than they have an overfill protection device. Basically idiot proofing so tank doesn?t go boom.
Since you had the issue with two tanks my money is on the hose being bad. That or the guy filling them messed up both tanks inlets - probably unlikely.
If there is an oring it may be old and with this cold not sealing well.

This^^^ with emphasis on bad o-ring. Unless you cap or plug the valve the o-rings weather/harden/crack faster than ever.

Problems with both tanks - replace hose.

Easier to just do the swap at favorite big box store, fresh parts and regular inspection(poor as it may be these days).

If you're unarmed, you are a victim.

[Erni]

One other thought. On my BBQ the regulator failed. As in the propane was coming out of the regulator. I could make the bbq go extra hot by plugging the vent hole on the regulator. Replace if it?s old since it might have cracked in this cold.
You can check what is leaking with soapy water.

[thebolt]

Anyone here a propane expert?

I refilled 2 of my 20lb tanks on Saturday. Both of these tanks have been refilled within the past month and both are well within the 5 years re-inspection dates (one was re-certed in November).

I went to use one of them (then tried the other one) yesterday. I plugged my hose for my heater in nice and tight, as always. As soon as I opened the valve I heard the hiss of leaking gas. I turned it off, checked the hose tightness and screw on the side, all good. Tried again; same result. Detached the hose, re-attached the hose. Tried again, same result. By now I faintly detected the smell of the propane in the air. I swapped the tank out with the other one and had the same experience.

When I got them filled I came out from paying after the guy had 1 tank filled but I noticed that the guy doing the filling (never seen him fill tanks before) never used the screw vent on the side. I also noted the weight of the filled tank on the filling scale and the sign showing how much a filled 20lb should weigh. The second tank was OVER the weight by more than a pound.

Are these tanks TOO FULL to keep from having the excess leak when the valve is open? Is there damage due to the guy filling not using the side screw vent while filling?

I really want to be able to use this propane for my heaters but I can't allow the garage to fill with propane - especially since my wife comes out to the garage to smoke.

Any help is appreciated.

I've had this same problem with leaking out of the tank and it has always been an o-ring issue. They get old and brittle and will crack and/or fall out of the tank.