I need a garage heater, and i'm just torn on which style I should go with.

I'm trying to decide between The Torpedo style, like this:


And the stack convection style like this:


I can get them both for the same price of 80 bucks new.

The torpedo has heat settings of 30-50k btu

The convection has 50-80k btu

I'm going to be heating 2 different garages, My own and the one where my boat is parked. Both are 2 stall, although mine is much smaller and well insulated. The other is a nice sized 2 car, with wall insulation, but no roof insulation.

I'm trying to decide which will put out good heat, quickly, and evenly. I like the smaller one for conservation of Propane, but I like the convection for 360 degree heat.

Sooo....just looking for some personal opinions on which way I should go.

Eric

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[This message has been edited by Racingman24 (edited 01-10-2010).]

Another option would be in infrared heater. It would work better than the others in the garage with the uninsulated ceiling.

quote Originally posted by SGS: Another option would be in infrared heater. It would work better than the others in the garage with the uninsulated ceiling.

Though about that too, but the ones I've seen are really expensive. I'm just looking for a fairly cheap, portable heater.

Eric,

Good talking to you last night.

I would be concerned about using either one in a confined space and carbon moncoxide. Make sure you vent properly or have a good fresh air source.

This has kept me from using my garge to work on cars over the winter months.

Jeff,

I have one of the Mr. Heater convection types (your bottom picture)...

Its pretty good, but hard on the propane running full blast. With that one, one thing you will want to do is set up a fan blowing across the top to circulate the warm air, otherwise you end up with "spot heat" (it'll be warm around the heater, but cold 10 feet away)

Just use a CO detector. Garages usually have enough leakage around the door that it's not that big of a deal. I run my 30,000 BTU ventless gas fireplace in the house a lot, and have never had a problem.

Also, some of the better heaters have oxygen depletion safeties on them that will shut the heater off before there's any danger of CO.

Get the torpedo, it will heat up the area much quicker than the convection style. It will take forever for the convection style to heat a garage. I used a torpedo type with a thermostat and set it to about 50F and that is plenty warm when I am working. I have an uninsulated ceiling, but walls and door are insulated...

J.

quote Originally posted by jaskispyder: Get the torpedo, it will heat up the area much quicker than the convection style. It will take forever for the convection style to heat a garage. I used a torpedo type with a thermostat and set it to about 50F and that is plenty warm when I am working. I have an uninsulated ceiling, but walls and door are insulated... J.

My mushroom style will heat a 2-car garage in about 20 minutes going full blast, (just enough time for a coffee) then its just a matter of turning it down to save propane, and up again when it starts to get cool.

quote Originally posted by MidEngineManiac: I have one of the Mr. Heater convection types (your bottom picture)... Its pretty good, but hard on the propane running full blast. With that one, one thing you will want to do is set up a fan blowing across the top to circulate the warm air, otherwise you end up with "spot heat" (it'll be warm around the heater, but cold 10 feet away)

I had the same problem with mine. It was toasty if you stood beside it, but walk across the garage and you froze.

If i had it to do over again it will be forced air of some sort.

I assume theyre propane. I have an 80K BTU kerosene mushroom style i keep in the house in case of a power outage. It keeps up to 3 rooms pretty warm even in very cold weather. I have a buddy who has a home shop and he has the torpedo type he uses as his sole heat in his garage (2 1/2 car). My experience being around both of those, I think one with a blower would be better. Forced air heat just always seems to work better than just convection. The mushroom would prob be good to maintain heat once its warm. For heating it up quick and warm, Id go with the torpedo. It would also be useful if you have to work on something outside to keep warm where the mushroom one would be pretty worthless.

I've been around folks that use the torpedo ones in their garages and they have worked well. No experience with the mushroom style.

http://www.thetoolwarehouse...heater-mh175ktr.aspx I have this in a 30' X 40' uninsulated garage. It was 12 degrees yesterday when i turned it on. I use diesel fuel ...less smell and more heat than kerosene... In 25 minutes i went back to the garage to find it a nice and toasty 70 degrees.. I highly suggest this type of heater...

quote Originally posted by SGS: Another option would be in infrared heater. It would work better than the others in the garage with the uninsulated ceiling.

I've got one of those. Looks like an upside down satellite dish on a post.
It's designed to sit on a table top, so it puts out a bunch of light, too. Cost about $80.