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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: brider on November 14, 2018, 12:41:10 PM
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Considering (again) a kerosene heater for my 2-car garage. Recommendations and suggestions for an affordable (guzzi content) unit hereby solicited.
There IS an operating window in the garage. I emphasized kerosene because I have a gallon I've been moving around for years, and I don't want to use electric, and I don't have fuel oil or propane or gas plumbed into the garage. I have lots of firewood, but I have no desire to install a permanent fixture like a wood stove.
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For kerosene... I'd go with a portable convection heater, placed somewhere central. They're relatively cheap. You can go with the forced air units, but they're noisy. (we're talking $150 CDN here... so, what is that? Like... $2.73 cents in Yankee bucks?)
Don't dismiss propane... either, you can get a lot of heating out of a 20# bottle, and again, a good convection heater placed centrally can heat a standard garage pretty well. Tolerable working temps, anyways.
As for wood? Buy an airtight stove (the kind you use in Trapper's tents). Cheap, easy to setup, get good and hot, and you can burn all the scrap wood you can scavenge in them. BUy a few firebricks for a base, and a heat shield for behind it. But... you need to be able to run some stovepipe, so that might put it out of the running. Plus, wood heat in a garage with gasoline engines can negate insurance... so check on that.
And... probably goes without saying... but make sure you've got good ventilation. There, I've said it.
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I've had a kerosene heater for a few decades. It works. But it is not forced air so the heat simply rises to the ceiling. There is a strong smell when it light it and shut it down. An kerosene prices have gone up a lot.
I got a propane Heater Buddy and used that for a couple of years. The heat from it is more directional. There is little odor. And with the adapter to an external tank that I refill, the operating cost was not bad. BUT, the dang thing started to leak internally, and caught fire inside. That is when I realized that a plastic housing on something like this is too dangerous.
In the garbage.
Back to my kerosene heater. If I used it more often I would look into a REAL propane heater with forced air..
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Considering (again) a kerosene heater for my 2-car garage. Recommendations and suggestions for an affordable (guzzi content) unit hereby solicited.
There IS an operating window in the garage. I emphasized kerosene because I have a gallon I've been moving around for years, and I don't want to use electric, and I don't have fuel oil or propane or gas plumbed into the garage. I have lots of firewood, but I have no desire to install a permanent fixture like a wood stove.
Why not a small wood stove? Use an adapter plate to vent it out the window. If it's a small one, you can just remove the stack and move the stove in the spring, when it warms up.
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wood heat in a garage with gasoline engines can negate insurance... so check on that.
Any open flame heat source in a garage could be an issue, with gasoline about...
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I have two different types of propane heaters, they both work well for heat in the garage using 20# bottles. However I have found that they generate a large amount of moisture and condensation in the garage. Changed over to a small kerosene heater and like it much better. Still use the propane where moisture will not be a problem.
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I forgot about the propane heaters you can hook to a 20-lb tank, like my grill. Sounds like propane/kerosene present about the same problems/configurations. A quick check on CL shows a LOT of Dyna Glow kerosene types, 20,000-ish BTU, probably enough for my purposes. If that's about what I'm looking at if I stick with kerosene, then I guess that's that.
I don't believe the torpedo-type is necessary in my small space, and I have enough to deal with with the woodstove heating my house to want to do THAT again in my garage....
Thanks!
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A ceiling-hung electric heater for me.
With probably 100 gallons of gasoline (safely stored, but) and cabinets full of solvents and petroleum (safely stored in metal cabinets, but) in my garage, the idea of an open flame to heat the place is just not very attractive to me .....
Lannis
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You know... (if you're averse to Hippie stuff, maybe just scroll on)…
might be the perfect opportunity to build a "popcan heater". Cheap as borscht (guzzi content) , works as long as you have a bit of sunlight. All you require is a bunch of empty beer cans (sure you have some), some black paint, a hot glue gun, an old window, and some ABS or PVC pipe. Cold air out of the garage through the lower air intake, into the heater... swirls through the black cans, out the top and piped into the garage space through the upper air outlet. If you wish to store some of that heat, build a thermal-mass battery inside the garage and route your air outlet piping through it before it vents into the garage.
Make sure the heater faces the sun, done.
Easy to make, cheaper than any other option, and free heat.
Basic idea is here... https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Build-a-Soda-Can-Heater/
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If you need temporary heat, why not consider a propane heater? I got one from Northern Tools for about $100. It runs of a propane tank that works on the BBQ grill, RV, etc. I keep several tanks for use and back up to the others.
It's good to heat up a work area. Add some halogen lamp sets and you get some real heat going without paying a fortune or trying to heat the entire garage.
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+ 1 on StuCorpe's comment regarding Propane producing lots of water to the atmosphere. R3~
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You know... (if you're averse to Hippie stuff, maybe just scroll on)…
might be the perfect opportunity to build a "popcan heater". Cheap as borscht (guzzi content) , works as long as you have a bit of sunlight. All you require is a bunch of empty beer cans (sure you have some), some black paint, a hot glue gun, an old window, and some ABS or PVC pipe. Cold air out of the garage through the lower air intake, into the heater... swirls through the black cans, out the top and piped into the garage space through the upper air outlet. If you wish to store some of that heat, build a thermal-mass battery inside the garage and route your air outlet piping through it before it vents into the garage.
Make sure the heater faces the sun, done.
Easy to make, cheaper than any other option, and free heat.
Basic idea is here... https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Build-a-Soda-Can-Heater/
We built a big one for a friend's shop , really pretty efficient and effective . Oh , he isn't a hippy :laugh:
Dusty
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I use one of those standard convection heaters. They are relatively inexpensive and are pretty efficient. I buy kerosene in bulk from a local gas station that has a pump for it. That’s significantly cheaper than buying it pre packaged. Close to diesel prices. I use maybe 15 gallons per year and am able to heat my 2.5 car garage to uncomfortably warm temps even in my northern climate and with an uninsulated door. My only gripes are the smell when lighting and extinguishing and the amount of floor space it takes up. It also gives me a backup heat source for the house I could use if there were a power failure.
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I went through this process, looking at natural gas vs. a big heater, and finally I bought this cheap 240v heater for $120 and installed a 240 outlet.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XOZN7A
Works well for such a small unit. Heats up my 2 car garage to 65+ in about 10-15 minutes. And I only use it when I'm working.
However, I also insulated the garage and added wall board. And a concrete floor makes a huge difference, as it retains the heat.
I live in Southern New England, so it gets down to the 40s 30s and sometimes 20s in the winter.
I didn't notice any huge jump in my electric bill.
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I admit no personal experience with same, but the truck mechanic I use in VA heats his shop with a used motor oil furnace - claims it’s clean and pretty maintenance free.
A very quick Google search shows they do come in small sizes.
All your shadetree mechanic friends would likely gladly contribute fuel
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I went through this process, looking at natural gas vs. a big heater, and finally I bought this cheap 240v heater for $120 and installed a 240 outlet.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XOZN7A
Works well for such a small unit. Heats up my 2 car garage to 65+ in about 10-15 minutes. And I only use it when I'm working.
However, I also insulated the garage and added wall board. And a concrete floor makes a huge difference, as it retains the heat.
I live in Southern New England, so it gets down to the 40s 30s and sometimes 20s in the winter.
I didn't notice any huge jump in my electric bill.
I'm liking this option. Thanks for posting it.
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My shop isn't huge, but one of those oil-filled 110v electric radiant units heats it easily (in the middle of the lowest range). Efficient and safe...
https://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-Comfort-Radiant-Heater-Light/dp/B0777K65VP/ref=asc_df_B0777K65VP/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=241995767888&hvpos=1o3&hvnetw=g&hvrand=5755646559579424641&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9025208&hvtargid=pla-396210067329&psc=1
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I'm currently painting the walsl & ceilings of someones 2-car attached garage. It has an insulated garage door. In order to get the temp around 65-70 degrees, I'm currently using two portable oil filled radiators. With temps outside in the 30's today, I had to turn them down or off today because it was getting too toasty in there.
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Had an electric heater, which was a simple box with glowing wires inside. Looked scary next to the bike. I now also use an oil filled radiator.
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In a garage that's reasonably air tight with gasoline engine vehicles parked inside.....Commerci al garage electrical codes require any potential spark making device to be mounted a minimum of 18 inches from the floor...Gas fumes collect near the floor...This includes electrical outlets, motors, furnaces etc...Generally this isn't a requirement for residential garages...This is not a concern for use of a occasional heating device, but full time flame or electric heaters, yes... It like riding a bike with no helmet, it 's all good until there's a problem...And then it's real bad...
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I ran a natural gas line to my garage thirty years ago when the smell of kerosene started to bother me. A direct vent wall heater was my goal. Thirty years later it has proven to be one of the best investments you can make for a garage you actually like working in. Insulation is the second key factor to a working garage. I find in Syracuse with our really crappy weather if I leave the garage at 40 degrees, the heater barely runs. It takes just an hour or so to reach 60 degrees which is fine to work in a sweatshirt. With lows in the teens the past couple of days and me doing some work out there comfortably, I am seeing no downside to heating your garage right. And your area residential code may require heaters to be a certain distance from the floor and combustibles, check with local officials and your insurance agent for specifics in your area before installing any permanent heat source. Mike
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I also use the 110v oil-filled radiators.
They're safe, simple, and easy to store when not in use.
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If I was going to add combustion heat to my garage I would want the combustion source exhausting outdoors like a RV gas heater.
Definitely add a CO detector in the garage if you are going to use combustion heat.
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I don't see where the OP is located, but if it is where it gets seriously cold, one of the 1500 BTU household units isn't going to do much unless the garage is really small and super well insulated. You might as well invite a friend over to stand behind you and light matches. They are probably just fine if you go a little further south.
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I have a 20x20x10 garage open rafters but insulated walls
I use a pellet stove it will bring my garage up to 50-55 during 10 deg weather out side
at 50 deg its very comfortable for me and all most too hot with coveralls on
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I use a Kerosene heater in my uninsulated garage. It keeps the temp around forty when the outside temp is below zero.
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If you use a combustible material for the heat source, make sure it is well vented. Your health and well being are dependent on it. I have a electric heater. 240 volt 1 phase with a blower fan. I use a long power cord plugged into a wall receptacle. This allow me to move it around the garage if needed. It will heat my 30 x 30 x 12 ft garage. Heating the air works much better than a radiant heater. I also buy furniture pads from Harbor Freight to throw on the flow in the are I work and hang out in. At the end of the cold season, I toss them in the garbage.
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As far as those portable kerosene heaters go - It's amazing how much "stink" is removed - if ya fill them and light them and extinguish them OUTSIDE.
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You know... (if you're averse to Hippie stuff, maybe just scroll on)…
might be the perfect opportunity to build a "popcan heater". Cheap as borscht (guzzi content) , works as long as you have a bit of sunlight. All you require is a bunch of empty beer cans (sure you have some), some black paint, a hot glue gun, an old window, and some ABS or PVC pipe. Cold air out of the garage through the lower air intake, into the heater... swirls through the black cans, out the top and piped into the garage space through the upper air outlet. If you wish to store some of that heat, build a thermal-mass battery inside the garage and route your air outlet piping through it before it vents into the garage.
Make sure the heater faces the sun, done.
:smiley: I made a solar collector for aux heat in my old shop back in the day. I used beer cans, though. Note to self. Do a better job of cleaning the beer cans before use.. :cool:
Easy to make, cheaper than any other option, and free heat.
Basic idea is here... https://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Build-a-Soda-Can-Heater/
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https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vornado-VH10-1500-Watt-Electric-Whole-Room-Vortex-Portable-Heater-EH1-0095-06/206462022?MERCH=REC-_-PIPHorizontal3_rr-_-303666732-_-206462022-_-N
I've used one of these since I lived in Pittsburgh and my bikes stay toasty in my 2 car garage. Thermostat works to shut unit off/on, no glowing anything,no smell and can't tell any difference in my electric bill. I've got gasoline for lawn equipment stored over the winter - no issues. Why not electric?
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I went through this process, looking at natural gas vs. a big heater, and finally I bought this cheap 240v heater for $120 and installed a 240 outlet.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003XOZN7A
Works well for such a small unit. Heats up my 2 car garage to 65+ in about 10-15 minutes. And I only use it when I'm working.
However, I also insulated the garage and added wall board. And a concrete floor makes a huge difference, as it retains the heat.
I live in Southern New England, so it gets down to the 40s 30s and sometimes 20s in the winter.
I didn't notice any huge jump in my electric bill.
5600 watts works out to 19,000 BTU/hr. Sounds toasty! I think I'll get one. Now if could sell the several inferior heaters I've bought over the years...
Moto
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might be the perfect opportunity to build a "popcan heater". All you require is a bunch of empty beer cans (sure you have some), some black paint, a hot glue gun, an old window, and some ABS or PVC pipe. Cold air out of the garage through the lower air intake, into the heater... swirls through the black cans, out the top and piped into the garage space through the upper air outlet. If you wish to store some of that heat, build a thermal-mass battery inside the garage and route your air outlet piping through it before it vents into the garage.
Thanks, wife will LOVE that :thewife:, scrolling on.... ( :boozing:)
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My shop isn't huge, but one of those oil-filled 110v electric radiant units heats it easily (in the middle of the lowest range). Efficient and safe...
I already have one of these, I may just give a spin tonight during the apocalyptic nor'easter they say we're getting. For the limited time I'll actually be working in the garage, it might just be the low-cost solution. :thumb:
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Reznor.
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If it's an outside shop a small air tight wood stove works great if you have aces tona little wood, it don't take much. You can find them real cheap and sometimes folks will give them to you just to get them to you just to get them moved. A few sections of wood flue lined properly installed will finish up the job.
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If it's an outside shop a small air tight wood stove works great if you have aces tona little wood, it don't take much. You can find them real cheap and sometimes folks will give them to you just to get them to you just to get them moved. A few sections of wood flue lined properly installed will finish up the job.
Love me an airtight in an unheated workshop. Damn things will get hot enough to sweat you out of a trapper's tent in -40.
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I have a Kerosene heater in my 2 car garage and it works a treat. Actually we light it often in the cool autumn evening when playing ball with the dog to gather around and warm up. In the dead of winter I can get temps up to a point where a long sleeve T-shirt is comfortable in about an hour. The trick is use a fan somewhere is in the garage to get the air moving around. A 2 gallon tank full lasts about 18 hours on high and since I have a nice heat source with a flat top it also an opportunity to cook something in the Dutch oven.
Kereosene is $2.79 a gallon and readily avalaible around here + come spring time there is nothing to dismantel simply pich up the heater by its handle and carry it to the shed. Keresene heaters like Dyna Glo and Kerosun can be had on CL for $50 to $75 all day long. Also if you have an extended power outage it can be used to tempoarily heat the interior of the home.
Propane salamander type heaters do burn cleaner but they also burn very wet. Light it off close the garage door and when the hot moist air from the propane burner hits the cold surfaces (especially painted and my garage is painter) it will condense and start too drip.
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Reznor.
Yep.
Years ago I had a commercial loft in a cement building with 10' walls of leaky windows. Heat went off on Friday afternoon and didn't come back on until Monday morning and it was like a meat locker in there with all that cement. Installed a Reznor gas fired heater with a thermostat and that place would get toasty in a blink. And no fumes.
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How about insulation first??
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buy a Japanese kerosene heater; most houses in Japan use kerosene. Mine are Sengoku 10,000BTU.
Get top quality wicks from The Wick Shop in Coquille, OR. His wicks burn much cleaner and last longer than what comes with the unit. http://www.milesstair.com/ (http://www.milesstair.com/)
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Love me an airtight in an unheated workshop. Damn things will get hot enough to sweat you out of a trapper's tent in -40.
Lol Toe, if can be a little challenging getting the remix right until one learns how much wood and air allowed into the stove to furnish the right temps for a given amount of time spent in the shop. It font rake long to figure it out
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Tried the upright oil-filled elec heater yesterday during the apocalyptic nor'easter, and after about 2 hrs you could sense the temp increase, and the wall thermometer said it rose about 5 deg (up to 40 deg). Might have done better if I had a fan circulating the air, but I think I'm going to scour CL for a decent Kerosene heater.
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Reznor.
Yep.
Years ago I had a commercial loft in a cement building with 10' walls of leaky windows. Heat went off on Friday afternoon and didn't come back on until Monday morning and it was like a meat locker in there with all that cement. Installed a Reznor gas fired heater with a thermostat and that place would get toasty in a blink. And no fumes.
And you can install it with nine inch nails.
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Tried the upright oil-filled elec heater yesterday during the apocalyptic nor'easter, and after about 2 hrs you could sense the temp increase, and the wall thermometer said it rose about 5 deg (up to 40 deg). Might have done better if I had a fan circulating the air, but I think I'm going to scour CL for a decent Kerosene heater.
Kerosun omni 105 heating and cooking. Also works a treat with the coffee perculator.
(https://thumb.ibb.co/k12PUf/Drunken-weiners.jpg) (https://ibb.co/k12PUf)