Camping Emergency Butane Heater Coherent Heat Source Survival Tools

I bought this little heater as a backup to a larger propane heater. I chose this model because I already have a number of the butane gas canisters, for use in a small portable stove burner. They both use the "Gas One" type isobutane cans, and they last a long time.The top of the heater swivels a few degrees, allowing some direction of the heat upward. This is useful if you are seated in front of the heater, so it directs warmth up at you instead of into your shins. Be warned that this heater produces a LOT of heat! Don't be too close to it for any length of time, as it will burn you.It sets up in moments. You open the access door in the bottom portion, insert the canister, positioning the cutout in the rim of the can with a spring-loaded retention clip, and press down on the lever on the left side of the unit. This locks the canister in place tightly. You pull a wire ring on the side while turning the knob to the "light" position at its furthest extent. The built-in lighter is of the piezoelectric type, emitting a spark when the knob is turned to the far end of its travel. There will be resistance to turning near the end, and a click, as the piezo lighter is activated. DO THIS QUICKLY. Do not let it sit for more than a few seconds without igniting, or a lot of fuel will be emitted, and when you DO light it, the heater will flare, which can be dangerous. But if you pull the priming ring, turn, and click the knob very quickly, it should light immediately with no flareup. If it doesn't light on the first click, let the knob move back a little, then turn it again to click the lighter element.A canister should last several hours, depending on how high you set it. Be warned that this heater SAYS that it is for outdoor use, and it would be excellent for use while working in the backyard, or in the shed, so long as there is ventilation. You probably can use it safely indoors with good airflow, but be aware that there is no oxygen depletion sensor on this unit, and you shouldn't use it in a closely-sealed environment. It does give off some carbon monoxide, which isn't a danger if you have good ventilation in the space, but a sealed room will become dangerous very quickly, and you might also use up too much oxygen in the room, making you faint. Avoid the problem entirely by maintaining good ventilation wherever you use it. It also does not have a tipover sensor, though it will detect a pressure drop on the fuel line.If you want a heater with more safety features, I suggest the Mr. Heater brand of propane heaters. My main heater is the Big Buddy model, and it does have an oxygen depletion sensor and a tipover sensor. It is significantly larger, produces more heat, and runs off propane instead of butane. It is also about 3 times the price. The Tooluxe is a good backup heater, or for when you are sharing fuel with another device.

I decided to buy this little butane heater because I already have dozens of cans of butane for my portable stove and thought it would be convenient to have a heater using the same. It is. The cans are 100% swappable. This heater is no caddilac of heaters but it delivers on a budget. Easy to load the cartridge and light. Like the instructions state though be careful when first lighting not to depress the ignition without lighting for more than a second cause the gas will build up quickly and flame up on you. On low it flutters slightly but nothing too annoying. On high it will warm an area for about 3-4 people easily and certainly take the chill out of a small tent, just crack a door or window to vent. Here's the secret to owning one of these, just like the portable stoves. Find yourself a cheap source of butane because while these are easy to use the cans of butane don't last too long, like 2 hours. Not enough to get a night's sleep on for sure. While you can find cans as high as $6 a piece you can also find them at wholesale clubs for as little as $1.35 each. THAT makes this heater pretty cheap to use and won't shock your wallet. Heater head tilts slightly and it's as simple as they come to operate. Just be smart and don't try to handle directly after shutting down because the top of the frame and handle will get hot. There are similar heaters out there with dual ceramic burners but they also cost 3x as much. All in all it's worth the $.

Ran a bottle of 8oz butane through it last night in my smallish computer room. I wanted to learn a few things about this heater before I take it camping. 1. How long does a bottle of 8oz butane last. 2. If I turned the heat off could it heat my room up and maintain a comfortable temp. 3. Monitoring with a carbon monoxide with digital display how clean does it burn?I am very pleased. It heated the room up rather fast, butane lasted about 4 hours on the dot on low. Carbon monoxide alarm I have is very sensitive and has a digital display it never even registered the presence of carbon monoxide.Unit definitely does what it was designed to do, I feel heat distribution could be improved a lot if you install a fan to move the air. Perhaps one of those heat powered fans for wood stoves.--Edit 3/28/2019Hooked up propane via the included propane port instead of using butane. Worked great. Make sure you have a propane adapter cable with an adjustable regulator and you're off to the races. Worked perfectly.Also hooked up a heat powered fan that I sit on top of the heater with a metal plate to protect the fan motor from direct heat. That works very well, circulates the heat nicely instead of it just radiating upward.

No CO2 or O sensors so not for indoor use. Otherwise, well built and works well. I like the multi-fuel option.